Thursday, June 30, 2011

We Sell Seashells


Collectable Murano Seashells from the 1950's
(Vintage Allopora Coral - not for sale)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wayne's World

A hard-to-find American stopper bottle from Wayne Husted for Blenko, designed in 1958
26" tall

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

What's In Store

A set of Viking Glass Mushrooms
Barbini Fruit Bookends flank artist Airan Kang's light up book
Venini Mushroom Lamp atop a Lucite and Glass end table 
A Murano black and white cased glass vase
Feathers fill an Op-art German porcelain vase
Italian candy dishes from the 60s

A new haberdashery has arrived in New York's NoLita shopping district and we could not be happier to have helped the owner and dandy designer Jay Kos decorate.  The elegantly eccentric surroundings at this chic men's clothing and accessories boutique inform the shopper as to the aesthetic one can expect from Jay Kos

Visit his store in Downtown Manhattan @ 293 Mott Street just below Houston and view his collection

Monday, June 27, 2011

What a Teal

Among the chicest of colors in any season is Teal. Here is a complete collection of 50s-60s Empoli cased glass recently compiled for your viewing pleasure.

l to r: Footed/Lidded Jar 12", Stopper 26", Hobnail Vase 13", Vase 19", Lidded Apothecary 12"

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Yellow Fever

Stopper bottles from Empoli, Italy in a particularly florescent shade of neon yellow
Sizes 2 X 27" and 1 X 19"

Double Gourd Empoli bottle 17"
Triangle  Shaped Bowl 7" in diameter
Barbini Gourd Vase 8" 

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Baroque By Barovier

These hand-blown glass wonders by Barovier are so gold-filled as to be illuminated without the need for candles!

7" tall

Friday, June 24, 2011

The Golden Globe

An Opalescent Orb from the Planet Murano. This otherworldly fluted beauty is an ambient light source from an era far far away.
A light spattering of cosmic gold dust adds a certain celestial quality to this 1950s hanging lamp.
13" in height 

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Spin-Art Platter

West German gilt & turquoise ceramic plate measuring 12" in diameter.
 Circa 1950s

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Lavender Lovely

The Italians have a way with clay. Just look at the amalgam of techniques that went into creating this special vessel. The top-half is striated vertically and glazed horizontally resulting in a pleasing purple plaid pattern. The base is a solid glossy lavender. The piece is an interesting shape for a vase and an impressive size standing over 14" tall.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Lamp "!"

My favorite shape of vintage lighting is the Seguso Bullet Lamp. The exclamation point shape just begs attention. This example is made with the most gorgeous Amber/Opalescent glass, giving it a dreamy quality. As a precautionary measure, we always replace the wiring anew, in this case using an era appropriate fabric covered cord while restoring the American Walnut base to its original condition.
Measures 40" to the top of the drum shade

Monday, June 20, 2011

"The Thing"

We are crazy about this amorphic piece of Italian pottery. Attributable to Marcello Fantoni, given its mottled orange color with green underglaze... not to mention there is a faint signature above the 'made in Italy' mark on the bottom. Obviously unique (as in one-of-a-kind) and likely from Fantoni's own studio.
Approximately 10" wide and 6" high

Red Hot Glass

A red hot trend has emerged among New York interior decorators. Collections of red clear glass have been hard to keep in stock as the popularity of the color is clearly in demand.

Top: Collection of Rainbow Glass Stoppered Decanters (l to r: 11.5", 13.5", 15.5") 
Middle: Italian Tall pieces from Empoli/ Murano (l to r: 20", 31", 27.5")
Bottom: l to r: Cylindrical Aseda, Sweden 8", Spherical Empoli Bottle 17", Murano Bowl 8"in diameter

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Flaming Stoppers

These twisted sisters are from the Rainbow Art Glass Company of Huntington West Virginia. Clearly influenced by other WV companies at the time, such as Blenko and Bischoff, they created some interesting decorative glass all their own. The flame stopper was a signature to Rainbow and highly evocative in fire engine red and bright burning orange.
The Red measures 17" , and the Orange 15"

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Mane Event

Arguably Bitossi's best known form, the decorative horse was made in many color ways. The most common find is the 'Rimini Blue'...which is why we get so excited when we discover a horse of a different color! Tan meets Tangerine in this rare example.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

All That Glitters

Two beauties from Barovier & Toso. Identifiable by the fluidity of their fluted design and generous use of the signature gold cord technique also known as "Cordonato D' Oro"- This series was first introduced at the Venice Biennale in 1950.
Vase stands 7" tall,  Clam-shell bowl is 5" tall and 9" in diameter

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Grey Matters


It's rare to find a piece with Somerso and a cut design at the same time. Cut glass is usually reserved for never-used wedding presents and Grandma's candy dishes, but this vase is a purely modern affair! Likely from Mandruzzato or a neighboring glass factory on Murano.
Measures 10.5" tall in charcoal and clear

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Our Latest Hang-ups

Italian ceramic wall hangings are a mainstay of mid-century design, especially the type that features other decorative objects as the motif. Great for a bar or kitchen, these slate grey plaques are decorated with a cubist selection of bottles, vases, and glasses in a cool color combination.
Measuring Top: 14 high X 9 wide Bottom: 15 high X 13 wide

Monday, June 13, 2011

Subtle Softness

A set of three satin finish masterworks from the maestro himself...Carlo Moretti, circa late 50s.
heights: 10.5", 15", and 32"

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Weighty Subject

Made in the 1940s, this Danish floor vase has historical relevance built right in. The Second World War effected every industry resulting in all rations going to fight German occupation. Necessity proved the mother of invention as authentic "Stoneware" became the norm. This Sandstone vessel is a terrific example... rock solid at 14" tall and between 20 and 30lbs. The surface has the speckled texture of pebbles.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Bagni Pottery

Perhaps a modernized nod to ancient pottery, this Alvino Bagni for Raymor vase has an 'antiqued' multi-tonal glaze that appears to be chocolate brown in ambient room light, but brought into the sun it reveals itself to have hints of plum, green, and rust. The handles are a most unusual tubular shape, the likes of which I've never seen before.  Although his works were made for the masses, this one seems unique.
Made in Italy, Circa 1950s, measures 12" tall.

Friday, June 10, 2011

65 Million Years in the Making

Although we are almost exclusively dealers of vintage objects, we will make an exception for the works of a contemporary artist we feel fits wonderfully within our milieu. We are excited to offer another sculpture by the San Francisco based emerging artist BJ Las Poñas. Shown in three angles above is our latest acquisition, this beautifully patinated and striated Bronze piece (#3 of 10) measures around  9" X 9" and weighs 16lbs. To Stephen's eye, the work has a sort of prehistoric Stegosaurus feel. BJ points to the works of Noguchi, Giacometti, Miró, and Moore as inspiration. Fresh from the foundry, this is a piece that is contemporary and classic all at once. 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Up Up and Away

Monumentally tall at around 30" with giant ball stoppers reminiscent of hot air balloons. Original 'Made in Italy' stickers in tact and in mint condition. Interested parties should move fast, these are going to just  fly out of here.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Topsy Turvy Twosome


Italian vases that go both ways...downside up and upside down. Made in Empoli in the 50s and measuring around 14" each. Shown in the light of day, one can really appreciate the superior color saturation of vintage glass.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

What a Drip

One of the best pieces of 60s West German pottery I've seen, bar none. Like some ice-cream sundae from Mars with its dark plum purple base topped by bright orange drips. Delicious!
13" tall

Monday, June 6, 2011

Citrus-y Stems

The juicy color combination of orange cased glass with clear yellow stems is what make these Italian goblets rare and definitely worth raising a glass to...'Salute!'
glasses measure 9.5"

Sunday, June 5, 2011

An Array of Empoli Glass

Minty Handle on left: 19" Unique Stopper on right: 21.5"
Lime handle on left: 18" Caged Lidded Jar on right: 15"

Saturday, June 4, 2011

A Real Gem

The gemstone qualities of Emerald and Sapphire are what color this vintage Barbini bowl...measures 7" in diameter!

Friday, June 3, 2011

A Shroom for Your Room

This Mushroom Lamp of Italian descent is a fungi of the finest order...pure 60s ambience in a lovely lavender hue. We've added a dimmer for your convenience.
10.5" tall

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Vanity Fair

A swirly set of dresser accessories from a bygone era... we truly feel has returned. Murano, circa 1950.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Bowled Over

A gorgeously graphic vintage heavy ceramic bowl, certainly Italian, likely Bitossi, measures 10.5" in diameter and 5.5" tall. There is an artisanal feel to its earthy mix of chocolate brown unglazed pottery and perfectly imperfect decoration of orange and white semi-circles.