Arts & Crafts—and its various sister movements: Jugendstil, Secessionism, Stile Liberty, and Art Nouveau—came upon the world at a very interesting time. For some countries (like England and the United States), it was a time of great progress in science, technology and industry. World power was shifting and empires were being built. There was a […]
There are no small number of (tedious?) “aficionados” who would gladly spend the day debating whether an item is Arts & Crafts, Secessionist, Jugendstil or Art Nouveau. I say—at the risk of heresy!—they are all the same. The “Greater Art Nouveau” movement blossomed at roughly the same time in various, mostly Western countries. In each […]
Another set of emerald green glassware, these with a soft, diamond-shaped quilting pressed into the glass. Absinthe, anyone? See these and much more newly-acquired glassware in the shop. Or, click on the photo above to learn more about this set of stems.
Also Modernist, these American Mid-Century cordials are tinted an icy blue. The little square “ice cube,” suspended within the stem, adds to their forward-looking, post-war sensibility. Come into the shop to see the whole collection of new (after Christmas) acquisitions, which includes a lot of glassware. Or, click on the photo above to learn more […]
Though my heart lies (aesthetically) in the turn-of-the-century, I could not pass-up these Scandinavian Modernist smoked glass wine stems. They were purchased alongside two other sizes in the same design: whisky “double shots” and impressively large martini cocktail glasses. Come into the shop to see them (plus other recent acquisitions) or click on the photo […]
Now back from a post-Christmas buying trip, I’d like to share with you some of the new items I’ve found this week. Glassware—for cordials, champagne, wine, or whiskey—is the most-heavily represented category of new merchandise. Fortunately, we sell a lot of glassware. Shown above, a set of eight emerald green sherry stems. Please click on […]
Maybe it’s just too early in the game. Ah, but I thought I’d ask you, just the same. What are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve? Frank Loesser’s song, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” is probably my favorite end-of-the-year song—elegant, simple, to-the-point. Perfect. Likewise, these crystal Champagne Coupes, shown above, are perfectly […]
A quick snap of more glassware, a part of my newest acquisitions while traveling. This photo shows a portion of three sets of Smoked-Glass Modernist glasses: liquor, wine, and champagne “stems.” See these—and other newly-acquired pieces—in-shop starting New Year’s Eve. Selected items will be added to the on-line shop as quickly as possible.
I’m out on-the-road, seeking to replenish the shop after a busy Holiday season. In Western Pennsylvania—where I am now—plus nearby West Virginia and Ohio, much of America’s Twentieth Century glassware was crafted. It seems many Eastern Europeans alighted in this region after their Atlantic crossings—and they brought their glassmaking skills with them from the old […]
In this season of candy canes, sugar plums, and gingerbread men, why not a handsome place to store them? This English Arts & Crafts biscuit barrel is made of blown, softly-ribbed glass, silver-plated mountings, and a little bone finial. This piece is a part of recent acquisitions from England, now in-store and ready for your […]
I wrap-up my London buying trip with this handsome Victorian English oval ceramic platter. Made in the 1880’s -1890’s, it is decorated with an Orientalist Aesthetic Movement transfer design. It captures perfectly the British fascination with all things Japanese—in the days of Arthur Liberty and The Mikado. Lovely to use, worthy of display, this platter […]
I’ve just purchased this set of six French Art Deco wine glasses. Blown with a horizontally-ribbed bottom half, lightly banded with gold, and decorated with hand-painted enamel flowers on the top half. They are a cheerful and casual way to enjoy wine—or your beverage of choice. Vist the shop to see them and the rest […]
I buy a lot of brass trays—but never before one quite like this. I believe it’s from the Near East, probably Byzantine Turkish, and likely from the early Twentieth Century. It is at once Oriental and Gothic Revival Occidental, and most certainly intended for export or tourist purchase. The border is formed of an incredibly […]
Cookie jars commonly were found in American kitchens and old ones can be quite collectable. In Britain, “biscuits” is the preferred term and they are served at tea—and with a good deal more elegance than in America. The Biscuit Barrel, shown above, is just-received from my most recent English buying trip. It dates from the […]
Amongst the metalwork I’ve found is this sweet little Arts & Crafts copper tray—unsigned but nevertheless nicely-crafted. A Celtic rosette at center is surrounded by a garland of delicately-tooled fruit. It is completed with a fluted pie crust rim and four ball feet. This tray should be in-shop come mid-November and on-line by Thanksgiving. More […]
Today I met a French woman, living in London, who travels back and forth—collecting wonderful things. I especially liked her glassware and bought a sextet of small wine glasses from her (pictured above). Designed and produced in the 1920’s or 1930’s, these conical vessels sit atop amber colored stems. They are at once Art Deco […]
Another collection of glasses from my most recent trip: juice glasses encircled by white sailboats cutting through royal blue waters. Come into the shop to see more of our newest acquisitions.
I’ve just returned from a productive buying trip to Western Pennsylvania and “The Near Mid-West.” Included in my cache is a collection of 1950’s “Fostoria” stems—champagne, wine, sparkling wine, and water glasses—blown with a tinge of blue. Additionally, I’ve bought several new sets of champagne coupes, tumblers and a few wine glasses. I often find […]
To live graciously in the time of Downtown Abbey, one would best understand the rubrics of society—and follow them closely. One rule: biscuits are served with tea, not cookies. Another rule: biscuits are presented in a barrel, not the plastic wrapping. Above, a biscuit barrel—England’s version of the classic American cookie jar. Imagine the […]
Today is the last day of the sun sign, LEO. Our Lion Rampant, above—hand-tooled on copper, in Belgium—bears us a regal farewell: “See you in eleven months!” Meanwhile, LEO Design (the shop and the web site) will continue to serve—throughout the zodiac calendar. Click on the photo to learn more.
On 10 August 1792, the “Storming of the Tuileries Palace” effectively brought an end to the French monarchy (later restored in 1814). Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, were arrested and locked away—later to be killed. This bloody chapter in French history was followed, exactly one year later, with the official opening of the […]
