Silky Sgraffito

From designer Aldo Londi comes a prime example of the Bitossi line called "Seta" - Italian for silk. The sgrafitto technique was used in the 50s and early 60s to give this range of ceramics a raw silk look and most were gilt for a little bit of added shine. Personally, I just love the on-trend ombré effect.
15"

Our Grand Tour Continues...

This is what we in the trade refer to as a 'really good reproduction'. The Venus De Milo - An iconic figure of feminine beauty,  made circa 1900, likely sold at the Louvre (or elsewhere in Paris) & made for the well heeled tourist trade. Bronze and heavy, this Aphrodite sculpture is a Greek goddess for the ages.
20"

Out of Africa

A Mid-20th century reproduction of a late 16th century original. This is not to say it's not an actual craft from a tribal descendant of the great subject herself - named Idia, the first Iyoba (Queen Mother) of the Benin tribe.
23" with our custom lucite base

Odd Couple

...and by odd I mean unusual, and by that I mean unique and special.  Small stopper bottles in crazed ceramic incised with a cartoonish illustration of a pigtailed gal with a fruit basket atop her head?!
The real surprise is that we have two and that they are by the famous and quite serious Carl Harry Stalhane for Rorstand!
8.5"

The Birds

A major name in glass that dates back to the thirteenth century, in fact to the very roots of the glass blowing industry on the island of Murano,  is Zanetti. In the 20th century a man by the name of Licio Zanetti carried on the family tradition by apprenticing at every bold name factory under the tutelage of Venini, Barbini, and Alfredo Seguso - honing his skills to become a Maestro in his own right. The above birds are basically life-size (33" x 14" and 27" x 8" respectively) - works of art and quite desirable. Close inspection shows the intricate feathering technique that only a master could achieve and the legs and feet are gilt bronze.

Glossy Glass

Found in the pages of the September issue of Elle Decor is the tres chic Paris apartment of fashion designer Yvan Mispelaere. Among his eclectic collection of curiosities (a surreal design trend we absolutely approve of) are our glass wares - a minty Cenedese bowl and Italian bottle above seem to be ours. Also credited to us - a collection of baby blues from Empoli and a French Opaline perfume featured in the spread as well. Check out the Jet-Set Style issue - on newsstands now.
Editorial photo credit: Matthieu Salvaing

Dalek Design

Any Dr. Who fan will get the reference (and the recent re-casting of the namesake role, not to mention the 50 year anniversary, has Who in the news all over again). Since 1963, one of the good doctor's main rivals in the science fiction series is a nemesis by the name of "Dalek" - a recurring killing machine that seems to follow the time traveler through the ages. This great German vase by Friedrich would have been made during the same early 60s era. Coincidence? "Who" knows!
7.5" x 6

Time After Time

An enamel on copper clock from mid-century Germany...emerald green and gold

8" in diameter

Portrait of Apollo

This lidded urn is a collaboration from two of the greatest names to be frequently mentioned on this blog. The vessel itself was a part of Gunnar Nylund's "Flambe" series and decorated by his equally renown associate Carl Harry Stalhane. The classical imagery is that of a Roman Archer (my assumption is that it is the god Apollo). The highlights of genuine gold give the illustration an illuminated quality. For Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s
9 x 9

Massive Bitossi

With proportions like 19" x 13" - this is an unusually large example of a Bitossi ceramic vase. Also of note is the lack of colors. We often see the Rimini Blue or other multi-color combinations, but the single terracotta tone is an intrigueing surprise. Of course, the signature incising is still here, along with the rough surface and the very 50s proportions.

Great Bang for Your Buck

My header is not meant in any way to suggest a bargain. On the contrary, this is a rare and remarkable work from the 1940s studio of the great Danish ceramicist Arne Bang. As we all know, rarity dictates value...and this piece has all the hallmarks of a truly collectible ceramic. A clean form made complex by multiple layers of mottled matte blue/green crystalline glaze. The flourish of berries and flora are his signature Asian homage.
6"

Grand Tour Souvenier

So, this Roman Warrior just had to be seen from his posterior - if only for his Medusa shield, of course! Made in Italy to sell to sophisticated tourists visiting Rome in the 19th century. Beautifully detailed cast bronze on yellow marble, circa 1850.
7" tall

Diamonds Are Forever

I have to say this is one of the coolest Bavarian porcelain vases we have ever seen. Made in Germany in the 1960s by Gerold Porzellan. A stunning case study in convex and concave design.
8.5" x 5.5"

Lava Dots

A beige background is dotted with little cobalt lunar raised dots on this hour-glass shaped West German ceramic from the 1960s. Groovy and graphic all at once.
10"

Magnificent Mari

Teal and cobalt blue stripes decorate this unusual pattern from Scandinavian ceramicist Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, 1950s. 
Just over 14"

Super-Graphic Ceramics

Off white glazed vases with just a hint of red cast from the clay beneath. The argyle patterned piece is from a small studio called Alma. The strong lines of the fluted urn are trademark Schollert. Both are Danish 1950s.
Heights: around 9" each

Deluxe Duo

There are levels of luxury when it comes to collectible glass - and these two are definitely top tier. We have literally been searching for years for a pair of this style Barbini to become available. The striped pattern is part of a collection based on the circus tent. Perhaps the popularity of Pagliacci in Italian culture inspired their design. The graceful lines are quite refined, the heaviness of the glass, the subtlety of the blue color, and the generous amount of gold within all add to the value.
 Made exculsively  for the American market, late 1940s to early 1950s.
26", 20"

Mod Mystery

An odd mix of styles - the top is pure pop art, while the base is art-deco-architectural. Such eclecticism makes this unique piece so hard to place. It feels like a futurist attraction from a world's fair. Probably German, definitely 60s.
10.5"

A Horse of a Different Color

Meet "Rusty" - Yet another unique iteration of the classic Bitossi horse. One of the thrills of enjoying longevity in the vintage goods market is the chance to happen across myriad variations on a theme. The never-ending reinterpretations of this iconic Italian take on an Ancient Chinese motif never ceases to amaze. This guy has a beautiful burnt terracotta orange and chalky matte finish.
10" x 10"

Multilayered Masterpice

In the manner of Flavio Poli for Seguso (unmarked). Given the known provenance and obvious age to the condition, we stand by our estimation that this is certainly vintage -although they still create similar designs in Murano today - a stunning sculptural example of the Somerso layered glass technique. The complex coloration ranges from emerald to olive to magenta...all encased in a faceted clear outer layer. Best shown near a bright light source for maximum spectral effect.
10" x 5"

Outrageous Orange

I'm not exaggerating when I say this glass is so florescent that it practically glows in the dark. Made in the 50s by Barbini.
7" in diameter

Mauve-elous Mancioli

A fantastic purple-ish pair of ceramic lidded boxes made in Italy by Mancioli for import to America by Raymor, circa 1960s. Great for a low coffee table or as a groovy desk set.
8.5" to the top of the finial pull

3-of-a-Kind

Creating a grouping of the same color and style, albeit in varying sizes, can really pack a great visual punch! These iconic Blenko "Minaret Decanters" were first designed by Wayne Husted in 1958. Cobalt is making a comeback and this group still looks modern today.
The tallest (or "architectural scale") measures 32", Medium is 24", Small 17"

Come Fly Away

Like an Murano hot air balloon is how we see this spectacular opalescent glass urn vase by Seguso circa 1960.
18" tall and 9.5" wide, another massive and masterful creatiion

Cone of Influence

Signed Cenedese and numbered "1/1" (as in one of a kind!) this monumental conical glass obelisk with controlled bubbles is a full 18" tall and 7.5" in diameter and weighs at least 25 lbs - it's quite an impressive feat of glass engineering and no surprise that no other like it exists.

Note: It sits atop another massive piece....a 22" diameter mid-century footed silver plate platter from Japan

Op-Art Opulence

Cobalt cut crystal circa the optically trippy 60s. Referred to as "Bohemian Glass"- a name that both describes the era and the German region from which it originated.
10.5", 8.5"

We've Got the Blues

Not, that we're unhappy...we are quite proud of our vast selection of all shades of the color blue. From robin's egg to turquoise, we carry the spectrum. As much as we approve of a monochromatic palette, we are firm believers in mixing variants of the same hue makes for a dynamic grouping. Above , two iconic 60's Holmegaard Gulvases are flanked by 50s Italian stopper bottles and a squat 1930s Czech vase.
Sizes range from 8" to 22"

Go Green

A refreshing collection in a zesty lime green coloration. All by Blenko, with the exception of the squat decanter at the very left, which is by another great American glass factory called Greenwich Flint Craft.
Heights range from 11" - 25"

Stunning Seating

We pride ourselves in presenting beauty from every era - today we reach back to the early part of the 19th Century. A pair of Adam style English fruit wood chairs, circa 1810, with two unique hand painted friezes in the manner of Pompeian murals. The caned seats are likely 20th century updates as they are in such mint condition, which makes them certainly suitable for sitting...but as decorative objects, these hold wonderful cross-cultural & historical appeal.
34" high, 20" wide

Poetic Pottery

A pair of exquisite and rare pieces from the hand of the much coveted Berndt Friberg. Incised with his signature studiohand mark and a "G" for Gustavsberg, Sweden. This pair can be dated to 1969.  The multi-layered glaze actually has an interesting pedigree. Named the "Aniara" glaze, it's an eggplant base color with layers of minty greens, and an ultra shiny finish to the surface. The glaze was famously dubbed Aniara by the Nobel laureate Harry Martinson (after one of his greatest epic poems) when he first beheld the pottery at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1964.
Height 10.63 ", 6"

Monumental Glass

A solid glass obelisk of great weight and equal importance. 

Original 1950s Cenedese factory sticker still (barely) attached.

19" and 25lbs!

Let's Do Lunch

An exquisite vintage Bento box from Japan, early 20th century. An art deco style Matsu tree motif in gold symbolizes longevity - and this mint condition lacquered artifact from a wealthy family in Japan has certainly stood the test of time.

Base is 9.5" square and the height is 12.5" tall

Venus Rises From Our Window

Another art deco discovery from the hand of Giovani Ronzan for the Lenci company (see eagle from late last week). This classic version of the legend of "Venus Rising from the Sea" has a distinctive 1930s quality to the form. Arms upstretched make our girl not nearly as modest as Botticelli's.
Venus reaches up to just about 20" 

Egyptian Revivalism

The stylized golden details on this bowl by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg remind me of the asp motif found on many Pharaoh's head pieces - a fair deduction would find Egyptian Revivalism at play here. Created around 1930 in Sweden, the style would coincide with the Egyptomania design trend that was still raging post King Tut's discovery in the 20s. A beautiful aspect of this piece is the "petrol" finish to the glaze which lends the surface its glowing opalescence.
13.5" in diameter, 3" to the top of the cobra-like handles

Brilliant Box

A striped confection of cornflower blue, indigo, off-white, and an illuminating amount of gold decorate this classic sgraffito box...almost certainly by Bitossi, 1950s
8" x 3.5" x 2"

Italian Kremlin

A pair of fancy stoppered vessels that hearken the Kremlin architectural style by the Murano factory of La Murrina. Known primarily for their elaborate Murano chandeliers, the company was formed by a collaboration of several Venetian master glass blowers in 1968. The coloration and decorative style point to early 70s in our estimation.
13.5", 11"

The Eagle Has Landed

A fiercely dramatic Italian ceramic bird of prey created in Turin in the 1930s by Giovani Ronzan for the Lenci company.

Almost life-size: 15" high and 20 plus inches from beak to tail feathers

Choose Chartreuse

A favorite color found in nature, but rarely in vintage Bavarian porcelain! This stunning vase comes from the prolific German porcelain company Heinrich... however this is the first time we've seen this vibrant green crackle vase.
12.5"

The Supremacy of Salto

Considered the most important name in 20th Century Danish ceramics, it came as no surprise to me that this is the first acquisition of an Axel Salto to grace our shop. Small but rare and precious is this bowl made mid-century during his residency at Royal Copenhagen. In recent years his larger works have fetched record high numbers at international auction - the most important works have sold in excess of half a million dollars. His work is a celebration of nature and often refers to his interests in Asian art and mythology.
2" x 3"

Minimalism Maximus

So chic and modern is this shape that it belies the form's true origin. This type of broad dish-like vessel is called a "Kylix" and its shape dates back thousands of years to Ancient Greece. This particularly grand version (26" in diameter!) was made in Florence, Italy by the Bianchini Firenze factory, est 1953.

Spectacular Spiral

Another example of tipping the scale! Ingrid Atterberg designed this series appropriately called "Spiral" in 1950 for the Swedish studio Upsala-Ekeby. My best guess is that the taller piece was an unusually rare large size - at 33" it literally towers over its common partner measuring in at 14".

Head Trip

Arguably one of the most important artists of the late 20th century is paid homage in this fantastic woven wool tapestry after Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 - 1988). Named after his oil painting "Cabeza," this would have been created post-1984. Perfect for the avid appreciator of pop-art...this is meant to be hung not to be tread on!
Quite large at 77" x 58"

NOTE: In February of this year a print from the 1985 printing of "Cabeza" sold at auction for $27,600 (unsigned)

Crowning Achievement

A prince among Italian ceramic bowls...another great piece made by Alvino Bagni. Besides the telltale design hallmarks, the correct markings and incising tell us so. Circa 1950s, in a vibrant canary yellow high gloss glaze over a black undercoat. Regal and whimsical at once.
10" in diameter and 5" high
NOTE: We are closed this weekend...resuming regular hours MONDAY at 12pm

Volcano Italiano

Groovy lava glazed pottery from Italy, attributable to Alvino Bagni, 1960s
16.5", 12"
NOTE: We are closed this weekend...resuming regular hours MONDAY at 12pm