Today is The Feast of the Archangels, a day which honors Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. In theology, an archangel is a celestial being—created by God—who often serves as a herald, a messenger or an interlocutor with human beings. Archangels are not saints in the conventional sense, that is, a human being who has died and has been admitted into Heaven. Archangels, though they sometimes assume human likeness (especially while encountering people on Earth), have never lived earthly, mortal lives. They were created as (and have always been) Heavenly beings. Archangels are recognized in the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). The three most famous archangels are Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. (Sometimes Uriel is added to this short list.)...
We end our presentation of silver brooches with this Victorian English filigree pin, made in the late Nineteenth Century.
Filagree is a method of decorative metalwork involving the twisting and bending and soldering of wires (usually silver or gold), in order to fashion jewelry or other decorative metal objects. The delicate metalwork is often suggestive of lace. Sometimes silver or gold beads might by incorporated into the work The oldest filagree pieces date to 3000 BC and were found in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Kuwait). The Etruscans and Greeks adopted the art form and the work spread—mostly through trade and Arab migration—and could be found from Ireland to North Africa to Asia (especially India).
I have always loved the Aesthetic Movement. In many ways, it was the precursor, the older sibling, of the Arts & Crafts Movement. Certainly these two schools of design overlapped—in terms of aesthetics and period. Both movements relied on botanical (and other natural) inspiration. And Japanese design—graphics, simplicity, naturalism—provided inspiration to the Western artists of the period. The Victorian English brooch, shown above, is a handsome example of Aesthetic Movement graphic design. It was crafted in the 1880's or 1890's. While the central field is engraved with a delicate and carefree botanical motif, the outer field exhibits a regimented, tightly angular and jagged border (though even this organized border could be perceived as a sunflower or the sun itself). The...
The price of silver has been skyrocketing recently—which often happens during times of economic insecurity. Some investors feel safe pouring their savings into precious metals—silver and gold—though this strategy can never guarantee endless profits. In light of silver's volatility in the current market, we're sharing a few of our favorite antique silver brooches—currently in-stock at LEO Design. Shown above, a Victorian English silver brooch, hallmarked "Chester, 1887." The elegant, graduated crescent form is embellished with engraved strap work, scrolling botanical elements, and little applied spheres—all for a handsome Aesthetic Movement design. In her times, Queen Victoria had a tremendous influence on the aesthetic and fashion trends of the day. By 1887 (the year this brooch was hallmarked), she was 68...
Since Pre-Columbian times, silver was mined in Taxco, Mexico. The Aztec ruler placed a governor in the old village so that "tributes" (of silver) would be paid to him by the conquered subjects. Later, the Spaniards arrived and modernized the mining operations which created a Sixteenth Century "Silver Rush." As a result, the town's infrastructure was greatly developed. Taxco was the biggest source of silver for the Spanish Empire. When the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821) expelled, killed or diminished the European colonizers, the Spaniards deliberately closed-down the mines as they headed for the doors. A century later, in the late 1920's, American artist and architect, William Spratling, began spending time in Taxco, eventually helping to organize the reopening of...
The English and the Celts—whether they come from Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Brittany—have suffered a long and complicated (love/hate) relationship with each other. Each Celtic region harbors a specific grudge: the Irish chafing under colonization, the Scots wanting independence, the Welsh desiring cultural autonomy and the Bretons—well, they joined the Normans in The Battle of Hastings, way back in 1066. Erupting conflicts come and go with the eras, yet, the rub of friction never goes away completely. What is undisputed is the British appreciation of beautiful Ancient Celtic design (the seeds of which probably arrived with Norse invaders about three centuries before the Norman Invasion). In fact, the Celtic aesthetic has been universally popular wherever Celtic people have made their...
During times of economic stress or uncertainty, some people seek comfort in the "perceived security" of precious metals. They pour their wealth into gold or silver—rather than investing in real estate, bonds or the Stockmarket. Today's price of silver—though it zig-zags up and down by the hour—has rocketed to recent highs (as has gold). Investors believe that precious metals will hold their inflated value (which, over the long term, has never been true). I hate the "commodification" of silver. It tends to reduce a beautifully-handcrafted, antique silver object to the base value of its component materials. Establishing the value of a piece of jewelry (or sculpture or candlesticks) based upon the object's weight, alone, seems the height of philistinism, to...
Stourbridge, in the British West Midlands, is the center of fine glassmaking in England and is home to “The Crystal Mile”—where the best glassworks are found. It was here, in 1827, that an eleven year old orphan, Frederick Stuart, was sent off to work. At the time, glass factories built large brick “cones”—tapered, oven-like structures, in which their glass and crystal were produced. Little Frederick worked in one called “The Red House Glass Works.” Small boys were cheaply hired and their little bodies were useful for quickly negotiating the busy shop floors—quickly running hot glass items from one station to another. Little did Frederick know that one day he would own a successful glassmaking company bearing his name (Stuart and...
We call this a "collector's box" because one can never be certain of all the little things it may have held over the last 160 (or so) years. With a divided, lift-out tray, it is perfect for organizing and safekeeping any manner of small treasures: pens, medals, arrowheads, gemstones, watches—even jewelry or sewing supplies. We have inserted small (removable) ultra suede pads along the tray and bottom portion of the box to help protect delicate items. It was made during the Civil War period—the 1860's—although it has no apparent military connections. And, although it is handsome (without being dour), it could have been used by either a man or a woman. In this period, a woman's sewing or quilting box...
When the Oshkosh Trunk Company began making their quality steamer trunks and travel wardrobes in 1902, the Wisconsin company came-across a cache of surplus striped cotton duck cloth which a fabric mill was willing to sell cheaply. Earlier on, during the Nineteenth Century, Spanish ambassadors had used this particular colorful fabric for their diplomatic pouches throughout the Americas. But, after Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American war of 1898, Spain lost its colonial holdings in North America. The unused fabric sat as "deadstock" in the fabric mill's warehouse. The Oshkosh factory bought-up the cheap, excess fabric to cover their trunks—later painting-over the striped fabric "base" with a dark, solid color. That is, until a stylish buyer from Marshall Field happened to...
I liked this handsome Victorian English oak frame the first moment I laid eyes upon it. When I got it home, and began to prepare it for sale, I started to wonder if it had once been a component part of a larger piece. Perhaps it had been a door on a piece of cabinetry? Or a hinged element on a fine piece of furniture—perhaps intended to display an image or other (flat) decorative item? Whatever the past 150 years of this frame's life may have been, it remains a handsome and arresting piece. It exhibits strong architectural elements: turned pilasters, triglyphs, and a central pediment over a Roman arch. A fillet of metal trim lies at the bottom...
Let's end our Back-to-School journey with this winsome pair of sleepy scholar-monks. Reading, reading, reading—all night long—can be a slumberous affair (as we can see with the berobed Medieval friars, shown above).
This pair of heavy cast iron "Science & Study" bookends were made by Bradley & Hubbard (Meriden, CT) in the Twenties. The figures are dressed in a golden bronze patina while the textured body of the bookends are finished in a classic bronzy-brown. These handsome bookends—which would look great wherever knowledge is cherished—remind us that wisdom is acquired only with effort and perseverance (while they simultaneously hold-up our treasured tomes in style).
Back-to-School (for some) conjures thoughts of the American Football Season. Whether such diversions entice you or not, you'll never fully-escape the buzzing energy of marching bands, school logos and crowds a-queueing. You may even find yourself shivering in the stands or standing at a tailgate feast.
Shown above, a Sasaki Japanese crystal American football. It was made in the Seventies or Eighties and (typically) would have been engraved with a specific team name. This one, however, is left blank. Use it as a paperweight on the desk, a sun-catcher on the windowsill or a conversation piece in the office.
Scholarship can be difficult. Sometimes the only good advice is, "Keep Pushing." These handsome bookends, from the Twenties, are a constant reminder of the power of perseverance. The bronze-clad bookends, shown above, were modeled by sculptor Julio Kilenyi in the 1910's or 1920's. Kilenyi was born in Arad which, at the time, was a part of Hungary (and is now in Romania). Later, he lived and worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina before immigrating to New York City. Kilenyi's aesthetic is entirely in-keeping with Europe's early Twentieth Century "New Sculpture" and monuments. The muscular "builder," heroically holding-up a wall, reflects the classic notion of the human form "personifying" abstract qualities or concepts (like "building," "liberty," "death" or "freedom"). Such artistic and...
We've been sharing a selection of Handsome Gifts which might be useful for the student or graduating scholar. Shown above, a Japanese hand-tapered oak business card case. The delicately-shaped wooden body is nice to hold—and slips neatly into a jacket breast pocket. A tiny magnet in the lid secures the closure with a satisfying "snap." Give your student a stylish flourish when presenting his or her business card at an interview.
Wisdom and Knowledge. Are these not (at least part of) the purpose of education? Some three hundred years ago, two English poets—Alexander Pope and Edward Young—left us with thoughts about the nature of such. Pope (1688 – 1744) had a difficult early life. As a Catholic, he was not allowed to go to school (due to the English “Test Acts” which banned Catholics from teaching, attending college, holding public office, or going to Catholic grade school). Alexander was homeschooled, for a time, and later attended an illegal, underground school. When a law was passed disallowing Catholics from living within 10 miles of London, his family moved to the country and the young man’s formal education came to an end. On...
We are sharing a selection of back-to-school items this week—handsome and useful items which might suit the well-appointed dorm room. In truth, these Handsome Gifts may be more appropriate as graduation gifts than as "dorm-warming" offerings. And many a post-graduate may find these selections perfect for their own (grown-up) office, library or den. Shown above, a cast iron letter holder, apparently an "advertising piece" for the "Diamond-K" (or "K-Diamond"?) brand. Though we have not identified the specific business which made-up these letter holders, we are pretty sure that they would have been left-behind by a sales rep during a visit to a purchasing agent. The buyer would have used the piece on his or her desk to hold notes, receipts,...
Dante Alighieri ranks amongst the greatest writers in the Western canon. This Italian poet changed the course of Western literature. He affected the way we think of Heaven and the Underworld. Dante wrote in the vernacular (not in Latin, the language of the educated elite). Furthermore, Dante didn't write in "standard Italian"; he wrote in the dialect of his hometown, Florence. Alas, Dante found himself on the losing side of an ugly Florentine political struggle and he was banished, on pain of death, from his beloved home city. It was in Ravenna, an 80 mile walk from Florence, that Dante wrote his greatest work, the Divine Comedy. It was in Ravenna that Dante died and was buried (and where...
Over the last several days, we've been sharing some of our favorite Back-to-School ideas. To be frank, we don't support the trending "competitive overkill" for best-decorated dorm room. So, perhaps, some of these gift ideas would be better suited to the graduating scholar. Nevertheless, all of the items are handsome and useful additions to an office or den (or dorm room). Shown above, an Art Nouveau "sliding" bookrack made by Judd (Wallingford, CT) in the 1910's. A spray of pine is framed by energetic "whiplash" surrounds. This bookrack is meant to sit on a desk or credenza, where it can expand (from 13.5" to 24") to hold a small collection of books, kept near-at-hand. In early days, personal libraries were...
For many young people, heading-off to college may provide their first opportunity to witness the lifestyles of (and to learn to live with) people who are very different from themselves. Questions will be asked. Discussions will follow. And worldliness will inch a bit closer for all concerned. Of course, there may be other times when we choose to rely on the ancient adage: "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." As children we are taught the lessons of The Three Wise Monkeys, which has been passed-down for over 2,000 years. The Tōshō-gū Temple in Nikko, Japan, is a very important shrine for Shinto Buddhists. Here, Seventeenth Century wooden carvings (by sculptor Hidari Jingoro) depict the Three Wise Monkeys:...
We offer, this week, a selection of handsome Back-to-School ideas—for the organized, productive and well-appointed dormitory.
One cannot have too many magnifying glasses stationed strategically around the house or workplace—especially as one gets older. Frequently I find myself lamenting those 20-something tech executives who design webpages and packaging without a care for the diminishing eyesight of their elders But I've got them beat! I have no fewer than a half dozen nice magnifying glasses placed where I need them most: at my desk, in the kitchen, in the medicine chest, beside the bed, even near my computer (for reading those messages and memes which cannot be expanded).
"The Bard" will always prove inspirational to the writer, the poet or the curious student of human nature. Though a little mystery surrounds Shakespeare's life and personage, he remains widely-regarded as the World's greatest writer in the English language. His plays still affect audiences more than 400 years after they were written. This is because Shakespeare was able to distill recognizable human nature—which we all share—in each of his characters. We see glimmers of ourselves (or someone we know) in Beatrice, Bottom or Banquo. Claudius, Cobweb or Cleopatra. The human expressions, aspirations and frailties which Shakespeare put-to-paper still touch us across the centuries. These heavy, cast-iron bookends were made in the Twenties by Bradley & Hubbard in Meriden, Connecticut. From...
This week, we're sharing some of our favorite ideas to help the efficient (and tasteful) student adapt to the busy life of academia.
The idea of "a clip" will never be obsolete. True, some people keep talking about the paperless office of the future. Until then, they will continue to need a little something to separate, organize and collate different groups of papers. Even the well-established icon for an electronic e-mail attachment is represented by a paperclip.
If one must clip things together, why not do it in style? These metal paperclips were made in Italy and come in a little round metal box.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was the most famous and celebrated (and richest) American poet of his day. His seventieth birthday, in 1877, was commemorated by many Americans as an unofficial national holiday. Among his works—including Evangeline and The Song of Hiawatha—is Paul Revere's Ride, of which most school children (at least when I was a schoolboy) could recite the first line: "Listen, my children, and you shall hear, of the midnight ride of Paul Revere." Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine (which, at that time, was a district of Massachusetts). He entered Bowdoin College at the age of 15 where he befriended Nathaniel Hawthorne. After graduation, he spent three years traveling in Europe where he taught himself to speak French,...
Today I am no longer an "official" student. But I live half-a-block from the University of Pittsburgh campus and have an unobstructed view of the seasonal tide of students—flowing-in and flowing-out. In late August the minivans, with their out-of-state license plates, make their anxious arrivals. Canvas "PITT" trolley/carts rattle along the sidewalk as frantic parents argue over parking stresses while their embarrassed 18-year-olds process the conflict: will I be happy or sad to see my parents drive away? For both sides of the equation, it is a big (and emotional) milestone.
It's nearly back-to-school time—a season which may elicit memories of delight or dread in former students (depending upon the student). For me, I loved going back-to-school. I enjoyed learning and I always felt comfortable in an academic milieu (with the exception of Abstract Algebra). I loved meeting my new instructors as much as I hated saying goodbye to a cherished teacher at the end of the school year. Preparing for the new school year (which I always remember starting—and still think should start—after Labor Day) included shopping for clothes and school supplies. Every August we'd go to Sears at the Ala Moana Center for a couple of pairs of new "Toughskins" corduroys. I got the "Regular" fit; my brother wore...
Can one ever have too many photo frames? This sweet specimen was made in the Late Nineteenth Century. The brass oval is edged with a "rope" border. And the frame is crowned with a Baroque flourish. This little frame has the power to stand alone—despite its diminutive size. But it also would look great fronting an arrangement of larger frames.
I competed on my eighth grade swim team. My strongest event was the breaststroke. But I never remember seeing any medals like this—let alone ever winning one. We had slender, simple satin ribbons, embossed with golden lettering, grommeted and hanging from a string. To be honest, they were more like bookmarks than championship awards. Blue went to the winner. Red was second place. White, Yellow and Green signified third, fourth and fifth places. But it was still nice to "ribbon." (It would be even better to have "medaled.") The Modernist bronze swimming medal, shown above, was made in the Fifties or Sixties. The bas relief front of the medallion shows two swimmers—lungs burning—as they race to the finishing touch. It...
In the Seventeenth though Nineteenth Centuries, Japan developed a highly-regarded school of printmaking called Ukiyo-e ("Pictures of the Floating World"). This time period was one of growth for a budding Japanese middle class; some of the peasant underclass were now becoming merchants or businessmen—and, for the first time, had a little extra money for niceties. These beautiful woodblock prints were a tasteful and affordable way for the newly-minted middle class to decorate their homes. This time period also coincided with the West's rabid fascination with all things Asian. Wealthy Europeans (and a few Americans) prized those rare and exotic artworks imported from the East: ceramics, lacquerware, calligraphy and prints. The French Impressionist artists were highly influenced by the compositions, lighting, attitude...
Spain—including its arts, food and architecture—reflects the confluence of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish populations which inhabited (and sometimes controlled) the Iberian Peninsula over the centuries. This melding of differing aesthetics has created a handsome and unique hybrid style which is quite unlike that found anywhere else. Iberian "Moorish" aesthetics have had a tremendous influence on Spain, especially in the southern "Andalusia" region of the peninsula. From 711 until 1492, Muslims ruled this territory which includes Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Granada. And don't forget that the southernmost tip of Spain is a mere 8 miles from Morocco, Africa—just across the Strait of Gibraltar. Some (though not all) Muslims observe a tradition which discourages the rendering of the human figure...
Every loyal dog begins his or her life as a puppy. And evolution has given puppies certain attributes—big, adorable eyes and uncoordinated playfulness—which makes them irresistible to those who might help bring them to adulthood. Baby animals (of any kind) elicit a certain sympathy in most humans.
This week, we've been discussing The Dog Days of Summer—including the star Sirius and its constellation, Canis Major. There is also a Canis Minor (The Lesser Dog). We hav our own Canines Major and Minor. Shown above, a small "Slouchy Puppy" sculpture, made of cast brass, finished with a verdigris bronze patina.
If you would prefer a Canis Major, here is the pup's older brother—larger in size and scale.
The individual stars which form a particular constellation may be of very different ages. The bright star Sirius, called "The Dog Star" (and part of Canis Major), is 200-300 million years old. But some of the other stars forming Canis Major are only 4 -5 million years old. The Greco-Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy (1,900 years ago), listed Orion and Canis Major in his famous catalog of 48 constellations. But the Greeks and Mesopotamians knew (and had already named) these constellations centuries earlier. The Ancient Egyptians knew that when Sirius was observed rising with the Sun (that is, during "The Dog Days of Summer"), that the Nile would soon bring its life-sustaining floods to the farmers who labored along its banks.
Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky. It is one component of the constellation Canis Major ("The Bigger Dog") which mankind has noted—and has been watching closely—for millennia. This dog follows its master, the constellation Orion (the hunter), across the heavenly skies, chasing the constellation Lepus (the hare). During the mid-summer (in the Northern Hemisphere), Sirius is observed rising above the horizon each morning—alongside the Sun. Because Sirius is so bright, it was believed that its extra heat, combined with the Sun, made this part of the year extra hot. The Ancients blamed Sirius for The Dog Days of Summer—with its seasonal heat, drought, thunderstorms, sickness and madness (in both men and dogs). The Dog Days of Summer...
Welcome, August, and your noble birth flower of remembrance, the Poppy. The poppy is a member of the Papaveroideae family. The various uses of the poppy plant have been known to mankind for (possibly) 8,000 years. There is evidence that, 6,000 years ago, the Sumerians discovered the narcotic effects of the flowering plant—that is, the reduction of pain and the inducement of sleep. Wild poppies are believed to have originated around the Mediterranean Sea. Later, they would be transported along the trade routes of the Silk Road. Opium (and the "opiate" morphine) is derived from poppies. So are the edible poppy seeds (and their oil) which are used in cooking and baking. In Eastern Europe, breads and pastries filled with poppy...
As a small merchant—more specifically, an antiques trader—there is precious little separation of my personal and work lives. Nearly everywhere I go, whether for business or pleasure, I entertain the possibility of finding some irresistible tidbit which I want to bring-back to the shop. Every trip becomes a blend of work and play. And I always leave home with plenty of bubblewrap in two hard-sided suitcases. This week's trip to New York City is one such example. By day, I am visiting collector-customers who are seeking advice about "deaccessioning" certain pieces. I brought-home a couple of nice items. At night, I am eating Chinese food—since I have yet to find a good Chinese restaurant in Pittsburgh. And tonight we went...
Welcome, LEO, monarch of the animal kingdom! Today marks the first day of the sunsign, LEO. And, during the coming month, we will celebrate the birthdays of such stars and leaders as Barack Obama, Tony Bennet, Daniel Radcliffe, Halle Berry, Robert de Niro, Mick Jagger, Jason Momoa, Madonna Ciccone, Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Martha Stewart, Meghan Markle, Charlize Theron, Hellen Mirren, Anna Kendrick and Maya Rudolph. I remember, as though it were yesterday, that LEO Season of 31 years ago. I spent many of those days—on my hands and knees—sanding and staining the floor of my first LEO Design shop at 413 Bleecker Street. It was a labor of love (and underfunding)—and I came to know every crevice of the...
We end our parade of lions with this handsome sculpture, modeled after Antoine-Louis Barye's Walking Lion (circa 1841). Barye (1795-1875) was a Parisian animalier—an artist who creates animal sculptures. In his field, Barye is one of the greatest. He started his "working life" as a goldsmith apprentice, under his father. He later worked in the studio of Napoleon's goldsmith. But animals—and sculpting animals—was his true artistic passion. Barye would spend hours at the Paris Zoo, sketching wild animals in their natural "attitudes." Eugène Delacroix (1798-1875) was Barye's artistic contemporary and his naturalistic sketches of wild animals inspired Barye to capture the energy and personality in his renderings of his subjects. Barye would then return to his studio where he would sculpt...
This week, we are counting down the days to LEO with a parade of favorite leonine items, all currently on-offer at LEO Design. Though I love painting and music and fine craft, superb sculpture always impresses me the most. The sheer physicality of sculpting is a part of it. Then there is the sculptor's ability to convey dimension—or the illusion of dimension—with his material. But, most of all, I am fascinated by a great sculptor's capacity to imbue living energy (or the appearance of such energy) into an otherwise static substance, whether it's stone, metal or wood. Some sculpture is created by addition (imagine applying and forming increasing bits of clay, to build-up the model of a portrait bust). Other...
This Mid-Century terracotta lion is modeled after one guarding the tomb of Pope Clement XIII (1693-1769) in the Basilica of Saint Peter, Vatican City. The original lion was designed and carved in travertine by the master sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822). Although the pope died in 1769, Canova did not begin carving the tomb until 1783. He completed his work in 1792 and Clement's remains were transferred into the tomb in 1794. This work of Canova marked the introduction of Neo-Classicism into Saint Peter's Basilica. Prior to Canova, the star sculptor had been Gian-Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) who worked in the distinctly flamboyant, Baroque style. The clean, Classical lines of Clement's tomb provided a more streamlined aesthetic. And the all-white Carrera marble...
When we think of lions, our imaginations often go straight to the African variety—presiding lazily over the prairie with a regal mane and a sleek, athletic build. But mountain lions—sometimes called pumas, panthers or cougars—are a North American variety of wildcat. There also is a variety of the "melanistic" (black) jaguar, in South and Central America, called the panther; in Africa and Asia, the black panther is really a variety of leopard (and one can see the distinctive spots hidden within the dark fur). The bobcat (or lynx) is an entirely different species—very much smaller (15-30 pounds) than mountain lions (150-225 pounds).
This regal feline surveys his domain from atop his mountain perch. Made of cast spelter in the Twenties or Thirties, he has been cold-painted by hand, a process once popular in Germany, Austria and France.
Size isn't (always) everything. In the case of this little bronze lion, there's plenty of roar in this little fella. Impressed upon his tummy are the letters C-O-U-R-A-G-E. it's the perfect, golden good-luck-charm for a challenged LEO (or any other sun sign, come to that). Maybe he'll help escort a friend or loved one though a fraught passage in life.
As we march onwards, toward LEO, we are sharing a few of our favorite Kings of the Jungle—each (currently) available for purchase on the LEO Design website.
I brought-back these little beaded lions from a trip to South Africa. Such sculptures—glass or plastic beads hand-strung upon a wire sculpture—are popular in the Southern part of the continent. While these lions are modest, one can find enormous and complex specimens of all manner of African animals—some made by renowned sculptors, costing many thousands of dollars. This little guy—though he's all lion—won't take-up too much space on your desk, bookshelf or windowsill.
The King of the Jungle has been honored (lionized?) by mankind for millennia—in art, literature, culture and history. Lions truly are regal; people have long attempted to associate themselves with this majestic beast. This pair of cast iron bookends, made in the Twenties, are handsome, indeed. This sculpted bas relief portrait of the feline was beautifully executed by Gregory Seymour Allen (1884-1934). The artist was born in Orange, New Jersey, and spent part of his work life in New York City. He is mostly remembered for his "historical" works, including political and military themes. Allen's bas relief sculpting graced numerous plaques, medallions and awards medals. And he was a talented Impressionist painter, drawing inspiration from the California landscape. Gregory Seymour...
Today is Bastille Day in France—called la fête nationale—that nation's most important annual historic celebration. It is a commemoration of the day in 1789 when revolutionaries stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress which the King used to imprison . . . well . . . anyone he wished. The Bastille had become a bitter symbol of the monarchy's unchecked (and unjust) domination over the French people. After four hours of fighting, the insurgents breached the citadel, releasing the seven prisoners who happened to be confined at the time. Although the fortress already had been scheduled for demolition, the Storming of the Bastille immediately became an important symbol of revolutionary action against an oppressive authoritarian. Even today, the French view the...
We're counting-down the days to LEO—and sharing some of our leonine favorites along the way. Shown above, a Turn-of-the-Century cast iron bank, in the form of a proud King-of-the-Jungle. There's a coin slot along his back and a screw holds the two halves together (however, after 100+ years, removing the screw is not advisable). Imagine this solid and heavy creature standing-guard upon the desk of a young child, circa 1900—with coins being collected for some future splurge.
Welcome, July, and your birthstone, the Ruby. The ruby is one of the four most-precious "Cardinal" gemstones, alongside sapphires, emeralds and diamonds. In fact, sapphires and rubies are different color variations of the very same stone, Corundum. The element chromium in the rubies gives them their distinctive red color. The gemstone's name derives from the Latin Ruber which means "red" For many years, the finest rubies came from Burma where the bright red "Pigeon's Blood" variety was mined. But they also are mined in Thailand, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Australia and parts of Africa and South America. In the United States, they have been found in Wyoming and the Carolinas. As with diamonds, the value of rubies is affected by "The...
For those who like "shiny and new," this is not the frame s/he will want. But, for the rest of us, there is plenty to like about this Nineteenth Century frame: its dark, handsome color, its whimsically hand-cut bordering, its functional practicality, even the stern 1880's portrait which sits within the frame. But what I love best about this frame, more than anything else, is the highly-curdled, original finish—still clinging to the wood nearly 150 years after it was applied. The crazed, "alligator" texturing of the finish is, indeed a flaw. But it's a flaw which confirms the age and original bona fides of the piece. A wood finish will not exhibit this wonderful level of curdling without decades (and...
While we're exploring the theme of racing horses, we cannot ignore this very handsome (and heavy) pair of cast iron bookends, made in the Twenties or Thirties. They were made by Bradley & Hubbard in Meriden, Connecticut. A pair of horses, rendered in crisp detail, sprint across the finish line—one appearing to be winning by a nose. They are framed by a golden horseshoe. The "body" of the bookend is finished in a classic, dark brown bronze while the bas-relief details are finished in golden bronze.
One of the interesting things about the Syracuse Ornamental Company (Syroco) was its ability to evolve to meet the times. When Adolph Holstein started the company, in downtown Syracuse in 1890, it was just him and a small group of carvers who made beautifully hand-carved wooden decor—one piece at a time. This high-end production suited the late Nineteenth Century building boom. In the Twenties, Syroco added the production of compression-moulded, wood pulp-based castings (while continuing to sell its hand-carved items). In the Thirtes (and with the onset of the Depression), Syroco converted entirely to moulded products—producing affordable niceties in times of economic peril. At this point, the Art Deco movement began to be reflected in Syroco's product line. This continued...
Adolph Holstein was an Austrian immigrant to America. He was a fine woodcarver by trade. He found his way to Syracuse, New York, and, in 1890, opened the Syracuse Ornamental Company (also known as "Syroco"). With a handful of hired carvers, Adolph began supplying beautiful hand-carved wooden objects for the late Nineteenth Century building boom: mirror frames, furniture, moulding trim and other ornamental interior embellishments. Syroco even produced hand-carved funeral caskets. Syroco's early years were productive and profitable. But the slow and laborious hand-carving would always limit the amount of production Syroco could enjoy. In the 1920's, Adolph developed a method of mass-producing handsome wood-product items—which benefited from his taste and skill as an expert woodcarver. He blended a slurry...
Imagine being sent off to war. While the cause may be righteous—and you have risen to your duty—the swirl of fear, uncertainty and sentiment would certainly be powerful. Saying goodbye to your nearest-and-dearest became a life-or-death proposition. Such wrings the human heart at times of war. "The Great War"—The War to End All Wars—was unlike anything which had come before it. The scale. The number of participants. And the efficient modernity of the weaponry. World War One was an earthquake within the human conscience—even for those who had experienced other wars in the past. While there were some brave and brilliant women who participated, the bulk of the fodder was made-up of men. And most of them (but not all)...
Six months 'til Christmas! Do you know where your holiday list is? In case we can help, we stand at-the-ready. Shown above, a set of six Mid-Century Modernist highball tumblers, perfect for mixed drinks, egg nog or milk (with cookies). From an evergreen garland—decked with a red ribbon bow—hangs a 22 karat gold candle lantern. Let the countdown begin!
It's been a great week for Argentinian footballer Lionel "LEO" Messi. On Monday, he became the all-time leader in World Cup scoring (with 18 points over six tournaments). He hit this milestone during a game against Austria—where he scored both of Argentina's two goals. A few days earlier in the tournament, Leo pulled out a hat trick—scoring all three of Argentina's goals against Algeria. Of course, each point is the coordinated work of many team members. But it's becoming hard to deny that Leo Messi may be the greatest football player of all time. And today is his 39th birthday. Leo Messi was born in 1987, the third of four children. His ancestry is mostly Italian with a bit of...
Let the countdown begin: LEO will be here in one short month! On 23 July, the Sun will transit out of Cancer and into the sun sign of LEO. In the coming weeks, as we approach that celestial benchmark, we will highlight some of our favorite leonine items (all available in our on-line store). Until then, let's content ourselves with this handsome, Turn-of-the-Century cast iron bank. It is sculpted in the form of a lion—and still has heavy traces of its original, golden paint. The two halves are assembled with a screw, however, I would not advise attempting to open it—not knowing how tightly-fused the screw is within the metal (125 years on). But it is a handsome sculpture....
It's hard to believe it now: when photography first was invented, in the Nineteenth Century, "everyday" people might sit for one or two portraits in a lifetime. Perhaps at marriage. Or to commemorate graduation from college (for those few who went to college). Sometimes being sent-off to war precipitated a last-minute picture. Today, for better or worse, people might shoot one or two dozen selfies in a single day. The first known photograph—a permanently captured image on a metal plate—was taken in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, Eastern France, in 1826. It shows a rooftop scene from an upper-story window. Because the exposure time was so long (8 hours or more), both sides of the subject buildings are illuminated—as the sun moved across the...
This morning—at 4:24 am Eastern—the Earth's North Pole will achieve its maximum annual "tilt" toward the Sun. This means many things. First of all, it is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of sunlight for the year (followed by the shortest nighttime). At the North Pole, which is now as close to the Sun as it will get all year long, today's sunlight will never be extinguished. Northern countries call this period "The Midnight Sun"—and it is often a time of celebration and merrymaking. Scandinavians call it Midsommer and the Brits call it Midsummer. Today also is the first day of the "Astronomical Summer"—that is, the marking of seasonal quarters based on planetary motion. The "Meteorological Summer" began on...
On this day in 1837, King William IV of England died. His 18 year old niece, Victoria—his late, older brother's daughter—immediately became Queen (though her coronation ceremony would be held a year and a week later). British succession rules (at the time) strictly observed the tradition of primogeniture, which heavily favored first-born males. But Victoria was the next (legitimate) successor—despite her sex. When Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901, she had held the throne for 63 years, 216 days—the longest-reigning British monarch in history (until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her record with 70 years, 214 days). The Victorian Age (1837 to 1901) witnessed tremendous (and disruptive) change throughout the world—in the realms of society, industry, science, politics and the...
Today is Juneteenth—commemorating 19 June 1865—when Union officer, Major General Gordon Granger, rode into Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation (two and a half years after it went into effect). It is an exceptional date, marking a big step in America's (often slow) march to freedom, which makes it an important holiday for all Americans. Juneteenth bookends a two week period, together with Independence Day—two days of significance for the American Promise. The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, which went into effect on 1 January 1863. This executive order designated that enslaved people (but only those in the Confederate states) were now free. Because the Union did not have control of all of...
On this day in 1815, the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte lost the Battle of Waterloo—crushing any hope he had of staying in power. What came before that is fascinating: a tale of ambition, reinvention, self-aggrandizement and the effective cultivation of a cult following. Napoleon di Buonaparte was born to an Italian family on the Italian island of Corsica (which the French had just taken-by-force from Genoa less than 100 days before his birth). At nine years of age, Napoleon left Corsica for French military school. In time, he distinguished himself as a bold military leader and tactician, which he parlayed into crowning himself the Emperor of France in 1804. Napoleon's disastrous decision to invade Russia in 1812 was the beginning...
Today is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994. The UN sought to draw attention to the devastating degradation of fertile land into arid desert—which has huge ramifications for food production, social order and geologic stability. Despite the clunky title, the effects of desertification can be deadly. Both natural phenomena and human activities contribute to the problem. Drought can be caused by failures in human water management as well as by climate change. Last year, Saudi Arabia used the occasion to highlight its planting of 115 million trees across the country. Shown above, a handsome pair of cast iron camel bookends, finished with a (now aged) copper patina. They were made...
Happy Birthday, Ian! My "baby brother" turns 48 years old today. I've watched this great kid grow into a great man. Shown here, a photo I took of him when he was eight years old. I am the oldest of four sons—15 years older than Ian. By the time he was born, I had already left our home on Kauai for high school (then college) on another island. When he was only five years old, I transferred to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst (more than 5,000 miles away). Despite our age difference (and the mileage between us), we have always enjoyed a close and friendly relationship. In 1995, on the day I received the key to my first LEO...
If yesterday—14 June—seemed pre-destined to be a bad day for human freedom, today, 15 June, is a historic bright light for democracy and human equality. On this day in 1215, King John of England fixed his seal to the Magna Carta. Over time, this document has come to mark an important turning point in the understanding of human governance, constitutional law and the rights of man. Most importantly, the Magna Carta put limits on the absolute power of the King to do whatever he liked; the King was now subject to the Rule of Law, just like everybody else. For 800 years, under English Law, this document has provided the legal basis to rein-in a wannabe authoritarian. We need it...
Some days in history are, well, just better than others. Today, 14 June, seems to be a day which history has cursed with numerous bad things.
On this day in 1940, the Nazis occupied Paris. Simultaneously, in Poland, those same German nationalists imprisoned their first 728 souls in Auschwitz.
In the Soviet Union, on 14 June 1941, Stalin began his genocidal deportation of tens of thousands from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. They were sent to Siberian labor camps in crowded cattle cars. The Soviets intended to weaken any embers of independent identity in these proud (sometimes defiant) satellite territories. One-third to half of these victims perished in the deportations.
If it's the second Saturday in June, it's World Gin Day! The first written records of gin are found in 13th Century medical treatises where "Jenever"—made by monks—was used as a grain-based, juniper-flavored medicament. This treatment was used in an attempt to alleviate coughs, colds, pains, strains, ruptures, cramps, even the black plague. The juniper berries were a means of disguising the otherwise unpleasant taste of the early distillation. The modern spirit (from which gin evolved) was developed in Flanders and the Netherlands. The wider world embraced the treatment (recreationally), especially in England where it became very popular. The British began to call the spirit "Gin"—and it helped fill a void in the market (since conflicts with France prevented the...
On this day in 1944—her thirteenth birthday—Annelies Marie ("Anne") Frank received a locking autograph book as a gift. She quickly began using it as a diary and she named it "Kitty." Within weeks, the Nazis began arresting and deporting Dutch Jews. Anne and her family would hide themselves in the upper floors of her father, Otto's, business. Before she went into hiding, she entrusted some of her treasures with the girl next door, Toosje Kupers. She asked Toosje to take care of her marbles, lest they "fall into the wrong hands." The Franks also left a note for the Kupers, imploring them to feed their cat, Moortje. Otto Frank was a wholesaler of spices and other ingredients for making jams...
On this day in 1910, Jacques-Yves Cousteau was born in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France. Cousteau's love of the ocean prompted his study of the sea, which lead to great discoveries and the advancement of scientific knowledge of the undersea world. Cousteau was instrumental in the development of the free-range underwater breathing apparatus, known as an "aqua lung." This invention was later refined into the SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) equipment we know today. As a young man in 1930, Cousteau joined the French Navy. His dream of becoming a naval pilot was derailed when he broke both arms in an automobile accident. He remained in the French Navy through World War II where he served in the information service. He was sent...
In the West, when we consider the great ancient civilizations, often we think first of Egypt, Greece and Rome. Let's not forget the Persians, who ruled a large and complex empire in Western Asia from 550 BC—when Cyrus the Great, from Persis, established the Achaemenid Empire. Persis was a civilization in Southern Iran, along the Persian Gulf (a site of important current history). The Persians have always tended to call their country Iran (meaning "The Land of the Aryans"). It was the outsiders (originally the Greeks) who called the land "Persia." Over the years, this "exonym" was used to refer to an ever-expanding geography across the Iranian Plateau. Over the centuries, the Persians rivaled (and battled) those other big empires....
One cannot help but approach Michelangelo's Moses, in the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, with anything less than reverence. Reverence for the work, reverence for the sculptor and reverence for the mighty subject. Moses sits enthroned, clasping the stone tablets: muscular, commanding, heroic and (maybe) just a little bit angry. After all, he had just hiked down after spending 40 days on Mount Horeb. While he was gone, his people hadn't been minding the store. In fact, they were dancing and celebrating around a golden calf—and Moses was not happy. In 1505, thirty year old Michelangelo Buonarroti had been commissioned to design and execute the grand tomb of (the still living) Pope Julius II. Moses was to sit up...
Everything's a muddle! Now I don't suggest leaning-in to the chaos; but I might propose making lemonade while all these lemons are raining-down upon us. Shown above, a pair of artglass cocktail "muddlers," made in the mid Twentieth Century. Muddlers are used by bartenders to "muddle" (that is, gently crush) herbs, fruit or spices—thus releasing and enhancing their flavors for mixed drinks. These were made in West Virginia by Morgantown Glass (1899-1971) in the Fifties or Sixties. These muddlers, sold as a pair, utilize the "sommerso" technique of glassmaking, in which one color is "submerged" within clear glass. The technique was developed in the Thirties by glassmaker Carlo Scarpa, creative director at Venini & Company, Murano, Italy. This...
The contrast of metals—combined on the same object—is a time-tested design conceit. Shown above, an Arts & Crafts tray fashioned of heavy, hand-hammered copper. Along the rim, a scalloped brass border is decorated with a crisp, scrolling pattern. The brutal simplicity of the hammered copper is counterpoised with the unexpectedly refined brass trim. This 14-inch tray is perfect for serving a dozen drinks—or to bring ice cream for six to the back porch. It would also be a great tray to store bottles and spices on the kitchen counter.
On this day in 1944, nearly 160,000 American, Canadian and British troops stormed five beaches in Normandy, Northern France, by sea and by air. It was a bold (and very dangerous) move to establish an Allied foothold in France from which the Nazis could be driven out of the country (and then the rest of Western Europe). These landings involved superhuman bravery on the part of these frightened young men—the first waves of whom were likely to become canon fodder for the Nazis, who were perched on (and shooting from) elevated positions just above the flat and open beaches. And, yet, the landings at Normandy succeeded and became a significant turning point in the Allied effort to save Democracy. ...
The story of this vase began far-away, in Mid-Twentieth Century India. Its life became even more interesting—if not a bit more glamorous—when it traveled half-way around the world to represent its country at the 1964 NYC World's Fair. After being loaded onto a cargo ship in Bombay (now called Mumbai), it sailed across the Arabian Sea, into the Gulf of Aden, and up the Red Sea to the Suez Canal. Once it hit the Mediterranean Sea, it sailed West, across the full breadth of the Mediterranean, and out the Straits of Gibraltar into the Atlantic. Now it sailed straight-on to New York—and the World's Fair! When I purchased this vase, the elderly owner recounted how she had received it as...
While the Arts & Crafts movement was a reaction to (and a rejection of) the rapacious Industrial Revolution, one has to concede that this design movement came at a time when mechanized production did indeed make manufacturing less expensive (thereby making nice items more affordable for more people). The English Arts & Crafts frame, shown above, is just such an example. This frame is clearly an Arts & Crafts design: the stylized flowers, the interwoven, "whiplash" stems, the embrace of the metal's aesthetic nature. But this frame was not laboriously hand-tooled; instead, this steel photo frame was carefully embossed on a metal shop die-press. Then the steel was patinated with a warm, copper-ish finish. Great artistry went into designing the frame—and...
The closer we get to America's Semiquincentennial, the more I'm admiring Canada. Perhaps I'm just longing for the competence, judgement and sensibility (not to mention, the politesse) which the two neighbors once shared in-common. Now, we kill science; they have health care. We have oil spills; they have maple syrup. We have a cage match; they have Heated Rivalry. One of Canada's most iconic symbols is the beaver. This probably harkens-back to the critical importance of beavers to colonial Canadians in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries. Fur trapping was a significant business and many of the pelts were shipped to Europe (for hats, coats, collars and muffs). The Canadian merchant, Hudson's Bay Company, got its start (in 1670)...
After the American Civil War, Union officer Silas Augustine Ilsley (1840-1918) returned to New York City where he founded a Brooklyn tin factory in 1865. Over the next 25 years, he developed novel methods of applying lithographic printing to metalware—boxes, cans, shop containers—and became an important supplier of handsome packaging to many other 19th Century businesses. His five story factory measured 100' x 150' at the corner of Adams and York Streets (in what is now a modern intersection in hipster DUMBO—"Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass"). Ilsley's business boomed and he employed as many as 350 "men and girls."
Welcome, June, and your beloved birth flower, the Rose. Throughout the world, roses are probably the most popular of all flowering plants. Members of the Rosaceae family, they were native to Asia, though a few species developed in Europe, North America and parts of Africa. Over the centuries, tens of thousands of cultivars and hybrids have been developed by mankind. Today's most common "garden variety" roses are descendants of Chinese roses, brought to the West by traders in the 1700's. The botanical importance of roses is exceeded by their cultural, historical, emotional, mythological and romantic associations. The colors of roses have become associated with different types of feelings: red roses indicate love and sexual passion; white conveys purity and innocence; yellow...
Although Mercury was not amongst the earliest of Roman gods, he eventually became one of the most popular. He evolved from the Greek deity, Hermes, and served as the mischievous, fleet-of-foot messenger of the gods. He is the god of luck, commerce, travel, and merchants. He also was amongst the few gods who was allowed to cross into the Underworld and back. Thus, he often accompanied and guided souls to the afterlife. Mercury enjoyed an impeccable ancestry; his father was Jupiter, the king of the gods, and his mother was Maia, the daughter of Atlas. Mercury is usually shown wearing winged sandals (talaria) and/or a winged helmet (petasos), fashioned for him by Vulcan, the god of fire. These wings have...
King Arthur was never central to Swiss local legend or folklore. But the Black Forest region of Switzerland was very popular with wealthy Nineteenth Century British travelers—each of whom wanted to take-home a handsome hand-carved souvenir of their journey. The hand-carved walnut corbel shelf, shown above, was likely made to appeal to a visiting British or European traveler. Brienz, in particular, was a popular (and picturesque) village, nestled between a turquoise llake and the towering mountains. This was the center of the Swiss Black Forest woodcarving industry—and a memorable point on many European Grand Tour itineraries in the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries.
The "Barley Twist" column is first referenced in ancient architectural history, specifically their use in Jerusalem's Temple of Solomon (which is why they are also known as "Solomonic Columns"). "Barley Twist" is the English name for the design, thanks to its resemblance to British barley candy twists which share a similar corkscrew shape. Barley twist columns can be executed in wood, stone, bronze and other metals. During the European Renaissance and Baroque periods—when many artistic conventions from the ancient world were revived—the barley twist became fashionable in architecture, furniture, sculpture and other decorative arts. One of the finest (and boldest) examples of Baroque Solomonic columns are found supporting the bronze Baldacchino over the main altar in Saint Peter Basilica, Rome...
Joaquin Sorolla (1863-1923) is the great Spanish painter of whom I had known very little—though his style, themes and time period ticks all the boxes of my favorite paintings. His luminous pictures—frequently capturing people near the seashore—sparkle with glancing light. And his bravura brushwork is spontaneous, bold and confident. I think of him as Spain's John Singer Sargent. Shown above, Valencian Fishermen (1895) tend to their fishing creels while a fishing boat bobs in the background surf. Sorolla shows the light coming-in from behind the men which darkens their features while illuminating the seafoam brilliantly. This is the kind of "men-at-work" paintings I like; real people, authentically active in their craft or trade. Sorolla painted plenty of commissioned portraits....
To me, the most charming sight in London's National Gallery was seeing this young artist, hard at work. He was seated on the herringbone floor of the storied museum, sketching like mad. Did he understand and appreciate the wealth of treasures to be found in that very room? Surrounded by priceless Sixteenth Century Venetian masterpieces? I suppose it doesn't matter; he will in time. What's important is that he, just like those Venetian masters before him—Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto—is attacking his work with determination and a desire to improve. In today's world of computer-generated . . . everything . . . it's nice to see that the fundamentals of human creativity and the hand-production of beauty are still being pursued.
As I stroll through a museum, snapping pictures of the paintings which most catch my eye, my camera roll inevitably fills-up with portraits of alluring men. More often than not, I am drawn to the portraits of "real" people—usually men shown in the pursuit of their profession, craft or trade. Occasionally an aristocratic personality will sneak-by (and that's okay). But I most like those paintings which show interesting (and attractive) fellows who probably were asked to sit for the artist. Good portraitists make their livings painting people who pay commissions for their service (whether or not the subject is interesting to the artist). But good portraitists sometimes select their own subjects because they wish to paint that person (not to...
Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664) was a remarkable Spanish Baroque painter, sometimes called "the Caravaggio of Spain" for his moody and brooding pictures using dark colors and chiaroscuro shading. His lifetime overlapped significantly with that other Spanish Baroque Master, Diego Velázquez. Most of Zurbarán's work portrayed religious themes, though he was also an accomplished still life painter. His son, Juan, became a painter and concentrated on still life images. A wonderful exhibit of Zurbarán's work has been mounted at the National Gallery in London. Included are some of his son, Juan Zurbarán's paintings, too. Shown above, Zurbarán's austere Saint Francis of Assisi in Meditation which captures the saint kneeling in silent prayer. His youthful features are just visible under the darkness...
The mysterious British graffiti artist known as "Banksy" has astounded and impressed the world (once again) with a new sculpture, somehow secretly installed in Central London two weeks ago. The puffed-up, larger-than-life sized man wears a suit and carries a flag of Nationalism. The fabric of the banner has blown into his face, blinding him—which leads him to step off the stone plinth. Banksy's statement warns us of the consequences of blind, self-righteous Nationalism. Besides being installed stealthily, in the dark of night, its placement in Waterloo Place is remarkable, too. Waterloo place—and Pall Mall which runs through it—are iconic, well-protected, "establishment" neighborhoods. They are filled with embassies, military offices, gentlemen's clubs, and many prestigious residences. Number 10 Downing Street...
I love coming to London. The friendships I've made here, over the last forty years, have changed my life. I've spent my thirtieth, fortieth and fiftieth birthdays in England. My buying trips to England—visiting shops, markets, fairs, collectors and "pickers" (from Brighton to Glasgow)—have helped me to distinguish LEO Design from my neighboring shopkeepers. And I have always availed myself of the wonderful cultural amenities London has to offer: theatre, museums and music. I also love moving-through London's incredible infrastructure. Since the Victorian Age (and possibly earlier), the people who have governed and done business in London have made it a place that works. Yes, it's large and bustling—and it contends with all the issues which afflict any place with...
The Trifecta of Renaissance Masters was Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raffaello. In a time and place that changed Western Art, these three were at the top of the profession. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibit of Raphael's work—assembled from around the world—is likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see so many of his pictures together. Every picture is a wonder, whether a painting or a drawing. Shown above, Raphael's 1515 portrait of Florentine banker Bindo Altoviti. The sitter was still a youth, 24 or 25 years old. Raphael leaned-into the Classical ideal of radiant (youthful) male beauty—channeling Apollo Phoebus. The unusual pose had been previously captured by Leonardo, though it became more popular as this picture became increasingly famous. I love the...
After a year of hard work, my husband, Robert Perdziola, and I took our seats last night at the New York City Ballet Spring Gala. He designed the costumes for the new piece created by principal dancer and choreographer, Tiler Peck. Set to Édouard Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole, it opened the evening, followed by Balanchine's 1967 piece from the company's repertoire: Diamonds
The event was an important company fund raiser and—as it turns out—many famous actors and performers do, indeed, still like opera and ballet! Mick Jagger was the Honorary Chair and took the stage with Jimmy Fallon. A wide range of notable (non-ballet-dancing) performers lent their support.
Ahh, civilization! Hurray! I'm back in Manhattan! I love exiting a city building's doorway, taking to the sidewalk, and entering the pulsing bloodstream of New York's energy and determination and brisk purpose. For 27 years, that portal would have been the front door of my New York apartment building. Today, when I visit the City, I stay in a hotel. For all those years I had never needed—nor stayed in—a Manhattan hotel room. I always was a poor source of advice for acquaintances seeking the right lodgings. Today, we stay in the Hotel Beacon on the Upper West Side. Best of all, it is in a residential neighborhood, not predominantly tourists. There are good markets across the street:...
Visiting South Africa—several years ago—was a wonderfully enriching trip. One of the employees in the LEO Design shop was a Capetonian and he invited me for a visit. I had a great ten days exploring his city and the surrounding towns, wineries, coastlines and velds. Visiting The Cape of Good Hope was at the top of my visitor's checklist. Standing atop a rocky cliff, looking-down upon The Cape, I was overcome with the historic enormity of this most-significant geographic point on Earth. The waters are notoriously rough—not far from the point where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. Circumnavigating this point—and its treacherous stretch of water—had long been a goal of European sailors (and the kings and merchants who...
On this day in 1821, Napoleone di Buonaparte, the former Emperor of France, died in exile on the remote island of St. Helena—a tiny, isolated dot in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. He was stranded over 1000 miles from the closest continent. And his British captors had no intention of permitting his escape. He was born on an island and he died on an island. Napoleon is a fascinating case study of ambition, reinvention, self-aggrandizement and the ability to generate a cult following. (Hmmm. As Mark Twain reportedly informed us, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes.") To my mind, there are so many improbabilities which should have prevented Napoleon's grand ascension. First of all, he wasn't even French!...
Happy Star Wars Day! May the Fourth be with you! This "holiday" began long, long ago . . . in a capital far, far away. Thursday 3 May 1979 was a national Election Day in the United Kingdom (two years after the Star Wars film release). The pre-election polls strongly favored the return of the Conservatives—led by Margaret Thatcher. Were the Conservatives to win (which they did), she would become the United Kingdom's first female Prime Minister (which she did). Overnight, even as the ballots were still being counted, the Conservatives boldly purchased a large advertisement in the next day's London Evening News: "Dear Maggie, May the Fourth Be with You. -Your Party Workers." Thatcher's win marked the beginning of...
I purchased these industrial pendant lampshades some 20 years ago. I had every intention of finding my own use for them: perhaps in a shop or over a shop awning; maybe in a weekend cottage; possibly in a renovated kitchen. I love the shades—and I love the fact that I have four of them! But twenty years is twenty years. It's time I let them go; perhaps a new caretaker will see them properly (and handsomely) installed. They were made in the Teens or Twenties. They are certainly industrial—both in design and in production. They may have hung in a working space (like a warehouse or factory) or, perhaps, in an office attached to such a practical space. The white...
A ring of small flower blossoms encircle this oval brass photo frame from the Turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century. The flowers are small and repetitive, thus, they almost blend-into a handsome "no pattern pattern." But, upon close inspection, the flowers appear—pert, uniform and crisp. The frame is handsome but not precious. It's a nice example of the intersection of good design and modern (c. 1900) industrial production.
Emeralds are known as "The Jewel of Kings." They are one of the four "Cardinal Gemstones," alongside diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Flawless emeralds are exceedingly rare—highly susceptible to flaws—thus, the gemstone industry allows them to be graded with the naked eye (that is, without magnification). This allows emeralds a bit of a "reprieve" from the harsh standards of other rare gemstones—as almost no specimen would pass muster under rigid scrutiny. It an emerald looks perfect to the naked eye, it is considered flawless. The most valuable color is a deep green, but one that is very clear and bright. Emeralds are a variety of Beryl, an otherwise clear mineral, which becomes green due to chromium "impurities" trapped within the stone's...
Chicory was first consumed in Ancient Egypt, followed by Greece and Rome. It is a member of the (very large) Asteraceae family which includes asters, daisies, sunflowers, cornflowers, dandelions, chrysanthemums, radicchio and Belgian endive. Chicory's culinary uses include the bright blue flower petals (sprinkled on salads), the leaves (as a bitter salad green) and the roots (which are baked and ground to powder). Ground chicory root is used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute, a sweetener or a fiber-rich ingredient added to hot chocolate, puddings, beers or baked goods. It is believed that the inulin found in the chicory root provides healthful fiber, promotes gut health, aids digestion and boosts the immune system. It is also a source of vitamins A,...
Joe DiMaggio was a giant in the world of 1940's baseball. For 13 years—his entire Major League Baseball career—he played for the New York Yankees. He won nine World Series championships, second only to his younger Yankees teammate, Yogi Berra (who won ten—a feat which no other player ever has topped). Their careers with the Yankees overlapped for six years during which they won two championships together. "Joltin' Joe" was born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio to Sicilian immigrants in California. His family moved to North Beach, San Francisco, where Joe's father (also named Giuseppe) hoped that his five sons would follow in his footsteps as a fisherman. But working-on (and cleaning) his father's smelly fishing boat nauseated him—which his father perceived...
Over the years, I have sold no small number of heavy, Industrial, cast iron tape dispensers—perhaps once used in a mail room, on a factory floor, or at a service desk. This Japanese oak tape dispenser is equally functional, yet, presents a very different aesthetic sensibility. It is crafted of oak and is more Modern Blocky than Streamlined Deco. And the dispenser is bottom-weighted, making it easy to use with a single hand.
Skønvirke is the Danish version of Art Nouveau. Pronounced SKURN-veer-kh, its literal translation means "beautiful work." In the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries, Danish artists, architects, jewelers and designers were influenced by the classic principles of the larger, international Art Nouveau movement: elevated handcraft, organic themes, curvaceous lines, and an emphasis on beautiful, natural materials. But the Danes put their own, Nordic spin on things. Skønvirke tended to be a little more restrained than other countries' Art Nouveau movements. And Danish historical, literary and cultural themes were sometimes referenced in the works.
I bought this Victorian English shop bell in London some 20 years ago. It seemed like the perfect upgrade for my shop—authentic, timeless, atmospheric and practical. In other words, super-cool. But I already had a nice, serviceable antique shop bell on my front door; thus, I never got-around to installing the new acquisition. I kept it safely stored for some future need (which never arose). With an inexplicable sense of conflicted nostalgia, I now have decided to let the shop bell go—to list this handsome accessory on the LEO Design website. The bell is marked with an English patent registry date of 25 October 1878. The brass bell portion screws into the "header jamb" just above the door. The brass...
