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 1 June, a concession to the weather-forecasting industry's consistent record keeping. The "Cultural Summer," at least in the United States, begins with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day.
Of course, all good things must come to an end. Starting tomorrow, the Earth's tilting axis will begin to move away from the Sun. For people in the Northern Hemisphere, the days will begin to get shorter, the nights will get longer (until 21 December, the shortest day of the year, after which the days will begin to lengthen again.)
The vase, shown above, was made in England in the Twenties or Thirties by Pilkington Royal Lancastrian. It is finished with a dripping, organic "uranium" glaze called "Sunstone." The dappled oranges, yellows and reds are reminiscent of the Sun's surface—as is the globular form. These pieces were discontinued with the onset of World War Two. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.