The city of Florence, Italy, was important in the Middle Ages—and became even more so in The Renaissance. Poetry, literature and book-binding have long found fertile ground in the cultured Tuscan city—think Dante Alighieri, Leon Battista Alberti or Niccolò Machiavelli. And don't think that the stodgy world of books and ideas were exempt from impeccable Florentine elegance. Books, inside and out, were often covered in elegant "marbled papers" which have come to be associated with the city.
To make marbled paper, oil paints were floated atop water in a large pan, the color was stirred artistically, and sheets of paper were carefully laid upon the pigment—just enough to transfer a bit of the patterned color to the paper. Once dried, the paper could be cut to decorate the insides of book covers or used (often in combination with leather) to decorate the exterior of the book. Sometimes the entire edge of the book (on three sides) was thus dipped, giving the raw paper edges an elegant appearance.
These double old fashioned rocks glasses, from the 1960's or 1970's, were inspired by the craftsmanship and style of these Florentine book-binders. Additionally, they have 22 karat gold in the design, giving them an ultra-luxe sophistication. Please click on the photo above to learn more about these handsome additions to your barcart.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
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