Donkeys—about 40 million of them worldwide, divided amongst some 185 varieties—all originate from the African Wild Ass (Equus asinus asinus). For centuries, the word "Ass" was the universal name for the creature (even in the Bible). Males were called "Jacks" or "Jackasses." Females were called a "She-Ass." But, starting in the Eighteenth Century, the name became viewed as, shall we say, impolite? (It was the same time that "cocks" became "roosters" and "coneys" became "rabbits.") "Donkey" has become the most popular (English) name, to this day.
Johann David Hollenbach (1810-1871) was an esteemed Viennese metalwork designer, bronze caster and metal fabricator. He produced his own designs but also cast (or crafted) the metalwork creations for other artists and designers. His foundry cast bronzes for sculpture artists and produced the metal "mountings" which were used as components for larger pieces (for example, the bronze decorative elements which might be mounted upon a clock or a piece of furniture). Hollenbach's works embellished the finest homes, palaces and cultural institutions—in Vienna and farther afield. He served the Habsburg family (including the Emperor, Franz Josef), as well as Napoleon III of France and the Russian Tsar's royal family. He created the magnificent electrified candelabras in the Vienna State Opera. And...
We're celebrating September's birthstone—the sapphire—by sharing some of our favorite items which tip-the-hat to the regal blue stone.
Shown here, a bronze presentation "casket" decorated with sapphire glass cabochons. It was made in the Teens or Twenties, specifically to present a pearl necklace by La Tausca. Although La Tausca made synthetic pearls, they were still a luxury item—which required a luxurious presentation. La Tausca synthetic pearl necklaces would come in ambitiously crafted boxes like the one shown here.
This bronze casket is decorated with sapphire glass cabochons and filigree mounts.
The US Mint has announced that it will discontinue the production of pennies in early 2026. It seems that the humble penny is yet another American institution which will not survive the nation's Semiquincentennial. The Philadelphia Mint "struck" the first official US Penny in 1793, the year after the Mint was established by Congress. It has been copper (or copper-plated) ever since. From 1859 to 1909, the Mint produced the "Indian Head" penny. Then, in 1909 (which was the Centenary of Abraham Lincoln's birth), the Mint produced the Lincoln Penny with the president's profile on the obverse (and wheat sheafs on the reverse). This coincided with a period of "Lincoln Mania" in America—and the public really embraced the new coin....
Let's end our week of birds with this graceful bronze swan. She will glide endlessly across your desk or windowsill—a reminder that elegance is often accompanied by tremendous strength and determination.
Every delicate detail of this pair of sparrows has been captured by the sculptor—feathers, eyes, even the quizzical cock of the head. They are cast in brass then finished with a verdigris bronze patina. The pair would love to spend their winters indoors, with you—on a shelf, mantelpiece or windowsill—though they could endure a life outdoors (where they will age in the weather).
As Summer comes to an end—and the winter chill sets-in—the birds scurry about, preparing to hunker down in the snow or fly away South. We're sharing some of our favorite birds with you this week, all currently in-stock at LEO Design.
Two nest eggs shine from within their bronze nest—a textured "bowl" which is useful for so many other things. The juxtaposition of shiny bronze against rustic bronze gives great character to this piece.
Don't let the appearance of this crusty and weathered parrot mislead you. The tinkle of this tea bell is sweet and clear—perhaps to the disappointment of the Irish maids (like my grandmother) who were expected to respond quickly to his call. Made of bronze in the late Nineteenth Century, it was colorfully "cold-painted" after being cast and chased (cleaned-up of burrs and roughness). Over the years, much of the paint has worn-down. But his worn visage reveals tremendous character. I can see Miss Havisham ringing this bell, summoning Pip into her sitting room, where she rocks in her decades-old wedding dress. I nearly expect the parrot to answer her questions!
At this time of year—late in the summer, heading towards autumn—I see the birds busily scurrying-about, preparing for the winter chill to come. I imagine that they are eating as much as they can, preparing for a long flight south (or a cold hunkering-down here in Pennsylvania). Over the next several days, we'll be sharing som of our favorite birds, now in-stock at LEO Design. This little fellow, round as a ball, seems to be well-prepared for the coming season. Perhaps he is too well prepared? Can he still even fly? His fluffed-up feathers suggest that he's preserving heat—or that he's a little miffed, at what we will never be sure. He's made of cast brass, finished with a verdigris...
We're marking the last few days of The Dog Days of Summer (which ends today) with a sampling of our collection of handsome dogs—all currently in-stock at LEO Design.
Here is another charming pair of canine bookends. These were made in the Seventies by "Philadelphia Manufacturing Craftsman." The company was founded by the Startzman family in 1911. Initially, they fabricated metal parts for other manufacturers. In the Fifties, they added "slush-metal" bookends to their production, using old moulds which they had purchased from other bookend makers and some of their original designs. In the Seventies, they moved to Florida and continued to produce bookends.
I love dogs. Especially my dog. But I do love all dogs—whether real, painted, sculpted or photographed. I also love books. And I love sculpture. Thus, it will be no surprise, that bookends are a large and cherished part of the collection at LEO Design. Bookends tick many boxes for me. The "Golden Age of American Bookends" flourished between the wars, in the Twenties and Thirties. This is the era in which art and good taste, combined with accelerating industrial mass production, resulted in the country's biggest and most-varied output of excellent bookends. Cast iron was the most common material employed. Solid bronze was used, to a lesser extent. Hollow cast spelter (white metal) was used sparingly (though it would...
This quirky little pet brings with him a touch of whimsical charm. Charismatically sculpted and cast in polished bronze, his feet reveal a little secret: the letters L-I-F-E imprinted on the bottom of each paw. "Dog's Life." The phrase was coined in the 1500's to refer to an unhappy and miserable existence—such was the lot of dogs at the time. Today, however, most dogs have a rather charmed existence—at least my pup, Benji, does. I wish for the day when all dogs (and cats and birds) can enjoy such a wonderful dog's life.
The "Dog Days of Summer" are upon us. This year, they occur from 3 July through 11 August. As we count-down the last four days of the season, we'd like to share some of our favorite canines, now in-stock at LEO Design. Sirius—called "The Dog Star"—is the brightest star in the sky. Astronomers have noted and tracked it for thousands of years. They charted its annual appearance and movement through the skies and, eventually, began to anticipate when it should return . Dies Caniculares ("The Dog Days") begins when Sirius makes its first appearance on the horizon at dawn (this year, 3 July). By coincidence, this is the hottest time of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere). Ancient Greeks and Romans...
Handsome meets Lovely in this Scottish sardonyx and sterling silver brooch from the island of Iona. A bold striped cabochon-cut stone is set within a sliver Celtic scrolling botanical mounting. It was sent to Edinburgh in 1962 for hallmarking. The holy island of Iona has sustained a mystical prominence for centuries. Irish saint, Columba (521-597 AD), built a monastery on this windswept island in 563 AD. Today, Iona is one of the oldest continuously-operating religious locales in Western Europe and many Christians make pilgrimages to its Abbey each year. The island's calm, natural beauty, handcraft and religious history makes it a compelling place for Christian retreat and communal living. It was here that Celtic Christianity was established. The iconic carved...
Cloisonné is the French word for the artistic enameling technique in which a metal surface (usually copper or brass) is artfully subdivided with metal wires or strips to create small fields—each holding a different color of enamel. Glass powder is blended into a paste and applied to each field (called a "cloison") following the designer's color plan. Once the colored pastes are applied, the piece is fired in a kiln (to melt, that is "vitrify," the glass powder into enamel). Once the piece has cooled, it is polished to create a smooth, lustrous surface. In some cases, whole gemstones were cut-to-fit and inserted into the fields. But the use of glass enameling was a quicker, less costly way of achieving...
Today is the first day of LEO. It is also my birthday! On this day, thirty years ago, I remember (very clearly) spending half the day on my hands and knees, belt-sanding the edges of the wooden floors at 413 Bleecker Street, my first shop in Greenwich Village. I remember that I only worked 8 hours that day. Since it was my birthday, I took it (a little) easy on myself. Most days—seven days a week—were quite long and truly exhausting. I was working alone (I could afford little help) and I really wanted to open-up the shop before the season of LEO had come to an end. I didn't hit that early goal; I opened on Tuesday 29 August,...
This handsome—and slightly startled— LEO seems to be saying, "Are you talking to me?" The sculptor created a bronze sculpture with character and personality—not the standard, stalwart lion. Nevertheless, this LEO remains regal, despite his quizzical mien.
Lions have always been a popular theme in art, literature and the decorative arts—throughout history and in all places. I suppose it's the lions' nobility as well as their bravery, skill and beauty.
In the decorative arts, when a whole lion is not required, sometimes his paws alone might make an appearance. Carved wooden lion's paws are popular in furniture. Cast iron paws might be used in "street furniture" (light fixtures, gates or fences). And sculpted bronze paws are found on everything from lamp bases to andirons.
Shown here, a little Edwardian English cast brass stamp box. Its lid is fashioned like a strap-hinged trunk and the box stands upon four lion's paw feet.
Most lions featured in art and culture focus on the males—regal specimens with lithe, muscled bodies and glorious manes. Yet, 75% (or more) of adult lions in the wild are female! Certainly, we should give the lady lions a little more attention. Especially since the lionesses do most of the hunting and raising of the young. But, regrettably, this gender imbalance amongst lions highlights the tragic fate most of their males face: a gauntlet of life-or-death challenges under the constant spectre of Darwin's "Survival of the Fittest." These "Leonine Social Dynamics" illustrate a grim picture of the raw, unforgiving "Law of the Jungle." Lions are organized within tight, durable family groups called prides. There is one dominant male, a few...
We're a few days away from LEO—which begins 23 July—when the Sun moves into that celestial lion's Territory-in-the-Sky. For the next few days, we will count-down the days 'til LEO with a selection of our favorite leonine items—currently in-stock at LEO Design.
Shown here, a cast iron "circus lion" bank from the early Twentieth Century, wearing his original gold paint. Cast iron banks (and mechanical toys and door stops) were very popular at the Turn-of-the-Century—and several Northeastern factories expanded to mass produce them.
This bank is made of two separate pieces, held-together with a screw. I have not tried to unscrew the two halves, not wanting to strip the screw or "break-the-bank."
It's Seven-Eleven! And, when I think of 7/11, it conjures the word "convenience." In our modern world—with so much coming at us all the time—I (try to) rely on habit and discipline to help smooth the (otherwise) rough edges of getting through the day, on time. For me, I could not function without designating a place to keep my "exit essentials": keys, wallet and various "membership cards" which I need at different points in my schedule. In our household, we have a handsome French ceramic pie plate, glazed navy blue on the outside, glazed white on the inside (complete with a beautiful ruffled edge). It was the wonderful gift of a friend, Steve Leamer, who once made us a pie...
Henry Wilkinson was born in 1788 in Norton Hammer, a village in Southern Yorkshire, some three miles south of Sheffield. Sheffield was already playing an outsized role in England's Industrial Revolution: specifically steel manufacturing, cutlery-making and the production of other metalwares.
At the time Wilkinson was born, silver-plating was only a few decades old. The process of bonding a thin layer of sliver to a copper ingot—and then rolling-it-out into a workable sheet—had been developed and improved in Sheffield. These sheets could then be stamped (in metal forms) to produce cutlery, trays, and all manner of silver-plated wares—commonly called "Sheffield Plate."
Most of the letter knifes we have offered over the years have tended toward the heavy and masculine—like a prop out of Tosca, Act II. The elegant letter knife, shown here, is more subtle. It is fashioned of tapering stainless steel and is set within a silver handle, hand-engraved with scrolling botanicals. The handle conceals another little bonus: a folding stainless steel pen knife. As useful as it is, this knife is still very elegant—an object of sophisticated refinement. It was made in Japan in the Fifties.
Murray the Outlaw of Falahill (1940-1952) was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's beloved Scottish Terrier. He was named after one of the president's Scottish ancestors. But he was best known by his nickname, Fala. He was FDR's constant companion—usually to be found curled-up in the same room as the president. He even travelled with Roosevelt. Fala was an American institution. He frequently was mentioned-by-name in the press. And, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War Two, "Fala" became the secret code word for American soldiers to identify themselves to their comrades. At the moment Roosevelt died in Warm Springs, Georgia, on 12 April 1945, Fala—who had been lying quietly in the corner of the room—jumped-up snarling and barking....
In 1822, Joseph Huntley opened a biscuit and confectionery shop in Reading, Berkshire, an important stop along the stagecoach route between London and the West of England. Huntley's shop was across from the town's major inn and his customers were the travelers who lodged there for the night. In order to protect his biscuits from being crushed, he packed them in metal tins. His son, also named Joseph, opened a factory for producing the tins. Before long, the idea was hatched: why not make the tins beautiful and collectible—making them a significant part of the consumer experience?
In less than a month's time, the Sun will be passing through LEO. I suppose I could wait to present these bookends, but I'd rather share these beauties now! These bookends were modeled by American sculptor Gregory Seymour Allen (1884-1934). He was born in Orange, New Jersey, and worked in New York City before moving west to Glendale, California. He is known, primarily, as a sculptor of "historical" themes—usually famous personages—in politics, history or the military. He designed plaques, medallions, medals, and the occasional pair of handsome bookends (or other desktop accessories). Allen often sculpted in the bas relief style, including this pair of regal lions. Allen was also a talented Impressionist painter, mostly having painted California landscapes. These handsome...
The Ancient Egyptians had detailed and specific funerary rites—carried-out with precision and filled with religious symbolism. Of course, the more wealthy and powerful received more elaborate (and expensive) treatment. Embalming was a part of this process. Embalming was meant to safeguard the body from decomposition. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the body must be preserved in order for it to be reborn into the afterlife. Egypt's dry climate certainly aided in the preservation of bodies. But practitioners of the funerary arts knew which methods worked best. It was important to remove from the body any of the parts which were likely to decompose, thus putrefying the body: the lungs, liver, stomach and intestines. These organs were removed, salted, and each...
A nice frame really sets-off the image within. Whether looking at a painting in a museum or a photo on a bedside table, a good frame draws attention to the picture—and complements it—without overpowering or distracting from "the main event."
This photo frame, made in the Twenties or Thirties, is crafted of brass—pierced to give it a filigree effect. The four corner embellishments provide a small flourish which helps conceal the joinery. And the original glass is softly curved, giving the surface a slightly convex lift (which protects the image from direct contact with the glass).
Never underestimate the eagerness of the English to remind the French of their biggest battlefield loss to the English (or vice-versa). In this case, The Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815) remains the permanent reminder of England's military dominance. That battle also marked the end of the Emperor Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815).
The brass lion sculpture, shown here, was made in England in 1915—a commemorative item at the time of the battle's centenary.
Waterloo, in 1815, was part of the Kingdom of Netherlands. (Today it is part of Belgium.) Two allied armies—one led by England's Duke of Wellington, the other led by Prussia's Field Marshal Blücher—confronted the French under Napoleon Bonaparte.
In the days before electric ignition, matches were a common and necessary household implement—in the kitchen, in the dining room and at the fireplace. "Strike-anywhere matches" needed a safe and attractive container for safekeeping (sometimes called a "match safe"). As strike anywhere matches were combustible (and could, theoretically, be ignited if rubbed together), they required fireproof containment (in a vessel as air-tight as possible). And, because such a match holder was on prominent display on the mantelpiece, it should be attractive, too. This heavy cast iron match holder was made in the third quarter of the Nineteenth Century. It still retains its original black and golden paint. And the gold paint is richly-aged—never to be confused with the glitzy "shiny...
Nice "things"—Handsome Gifts—do not have to be expensive (though sometimes they are). This bronze bison, sculpted in Canada, is heavy, handsome and full of character. (And he's not too expensive.) Perhaps your dad loves "The Olde West." Maybe he comes from The Old West. Or, maybe he just likes bison.
Which brings-up an interesting question: is there a difference between a bison and a buffalo? Yes there is! A big difference!
The creatures sometimes (inaccurately) called the "American Buffalo" (like the bronze sculpture shown here) are not "buffalo" at all. They are "bison" (scientific name: Bison bison). They were found across the open grasslands of North America.
We're sharing some Handsome Gifts ideas for Father's Day. Perhaps you know a much-deserving dad?
For fathers who like to fish, this Korean bronze charger is likely to tick several boxes. The bas relief modeling is superb in its detail, precision, and energy. Grasses at the water's edge, bushes upon the shoreline, even ripples in the water are all portrayed with meticulous detail. And then there's the pike: arched in combat as he struggles to escape. This sculpted bronzework is beautifully rendered and crisply cast—truly the work of a skilled artist.
As we count-down the days to Father's Day, we are sharing some Handsome Gift ideas which might tickle your father's fancy. Some dads like hunting and fishing. Others like tinkering under-the-hood. Some dads cultivate plants. And other dads like to read Shakespearean sonnets and plays.
There are six known signatures of William Shakespeare surviving—signatures written in his own hand. These are found on legal documents such as a court deposition, the purchase of a home, the mortgage on that house, and his Last Will and Testament. No two (of these six) signatures are spelled the same way:
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).
In the Medieval periods, filagree was used for jewelry, naturally, but also liturgical decor: reliquaries, processional crosses, croziers, gospel book covers.
The village of Taxco, Mexico, has a long association with silver mining—and, more recently, silversmithing and jewelry-making. Since Pre-Columbian times, silver was mined here. In fact, an Aztec governor was placed in the old village of Taxco so that he could conveniently collect the "tributes" (of silver) payable (by the conquered subjects) to the Aztec ruler. When the Spaniards arrived, they modernized the silver mining—creating a "Silver Rush" in the Sixteenth Century which greatly enlarged the town's infrastructure. Taxco proved to be the biggest source of silver for the Spanish Empire. When the Mexican War of Independence (1820's and 1830's) expelled, killed or diminished the Spanish colonizers, most of the mines intentionally were closed-down as the Spaniards headed for the...
This Victorian English silver brooch, hallmarked Chester, 1887, is as much sculpture as it is jewelry. The deep crescent is laid-on with hand-engraved strap work, further embellished with scrolling botanical elements. The jagged perimeter adds an additional jolt of energy to the silhouette.
Whenever I've asked a British antiques trader to identify one of their hallmarks, they always seem to let out a bittersweet, "Oh, it's Chester..." upon discovering that city's chevron-shield hallmark bearing three wheat sheaves. Apparently, the assay (hallmarking) office in this charming city closed in 1962. To this day, English antiques dealers seem to fondly reminisce about this little town, near the Wales border (whether they have ever been there or not).
This week we are sharing some of our favorite silver brooches—designs which are enhanced by their precious metal composition (not overwhelmed by it).
Shown here, a Victorian English silver brooch with a whimsical Celtic correlate design—sitting atop an otherwise serious base.
Silver is an "element"—that is, a pure chemical substance which cannot be broken-down further into simpler components. And silver straddles a special place in the hierarchy of "metal preciousness." While it is not a "common" metal (like copper or brass or pewter or bronze), neither is it as precious as gold or platinum. To my eye (and my mind), items crafted of gold—no matter how beautiful—cannot escape their status as . . . well . . . gold. To me, their material composition often dictates their appraisal—visually and intellectually. I truly love all those non-precious "craft" metals—the metals (or alloys) fashioned by artists to create decorative objects (by sculpting, hammering or casting). Their earthy honesty is raised to decorative status...
In the evolution of aesthetic schools, rarely is there a sharp division between the old and the new—separating what had been and what is to come. Rather, existing fashions might be modified with changes which reflect the aesthetic movement which is waiting in the wings. Such intervals sometimes (and conveniently) are called "Transitional Periods." In the case of the Arts & Crafts Movement, period artisans and designers often sought inspiration from earlier, historic ideas. Such inspiration—whether artistic, cultural, literary or historic—was specific to the locale in question. The English may have lifted references to Medieval Knights. Germans may have revived ancient folklore. The French might tip-their-hat to Gothic motifs. In the pair of English candlesticks, shown above, the hand-hammered...
How does one tune-it-out? Perhaps the Three Wise Monkeys can provide an example?
The earliest evidence of the Three Wise Monkeys—sometimes called the Three Mystic Apes—is found carved on a wooden panel above the stable door at the Tōshō-gū Shinto Shrine in Nikkō, Japan. The shrine complex opened in 1617 and the stable held the temple's sacred horses. The carved panel, portraying three Japanese macaques, has been attributed to the carver Hidari Jingorō (who may have been a fictitious artist, or the pseudonym of another master carver).
Today's the Fourteenth day of sharing some of our favorite LEOs—commemorating the new pope, LEO XIV. We end this parade of lions with this simple, yet bold, bronze lion, made in Canada. In the world of heraldry, this LEO would be called a "Lion Statant Guardant Sinister." What this means is that the lion is standing (four feet planted on the ground), head turned (toward the viewer), and facing to the left (instead of facing "dexter," that is to the right, which is conventional). Note that "left" and "right" are oriented from the point-of-view of the soldier holding the shield (upon which such a lion is applied). Thus "left" and "right" are backwards from the viewer's point-of-view. Such "attitudes" are...
Cats of any sort—wild cats, house cats—will always be wild-at-heart. Deep within, all cats are hunters. Sighting, stalking, pouncing and (yes) killing are a part of any cat's repertoire. Perhaps it is this fierce, prehistoric impulse which has made lions an inspiration in the arts, literature and other human aspirations.
Shown above, a mountain lion, stalking atop a craggy rock. These cast iron bookends are deftly-sculpted, patinated with a (now well-aged) golden bronze patina and hand-painted with small details. The modeling—especially of the cat—seems to have a rough, "Rodinesque" sensibility, typical of the tastes of the Twenties. The sculptor has captured the desperate energy of a hungry lion.
The lions portrayed on this pair of cast iron bookends are modeled after Antoine-Louis Barye's 1840 sculpture called "Walking Lion" (which we shared in this journal a few days ago). The bookends were made in the Twenties by Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, Connecticut. After the original bookend models were sculpted, the pairs were cast in molten iron and finished with a chocolate bronze finish. Bradley & Hubbard was known for its well-finished metal castings. While never at the elite level of a Tiffany or Gorham, Bradley & Hubbard was, nonetheless, very well-respected, making beautifully designed and finished metal objects for America's Middle and Upper-Middle classes. One more significant observation: This pair of bookends was designed with "mirrored" lions—that is,...
LEO Design is sharing some of our favorite LEOs this week, as we mark the election of the new pontiff, Pope LEO XIV.
Shown here, a Turn-of-the-Century cast iron lion bank. Years of aging has left a darkened and highly-textured surface—while traces of the original golden paint are still visible in the mane. At one time, deposited coins could be removed by unscrewing the two cast iron sides—held-together with a screw. Over the decades, the screw (and two connected halves) seem to have fused-together, making it difficult (or impossible) to open-up. But this handsome vintage lion would easily earn his keep just standing-around, looking good. And think: he was made sometime during the papacy of the last Leo, LEO XIII.
We started our parade of LEOs with this same sculpted design—however, finished in a darkened bronze patina. Here we have a pair in its original golden finish. Bookend foundries would customarily offer their wares in two or more finishes. Classic, chocolate bronze was probably most common. A copper patina was popular. Brass finishes were sometimes offered. And a golden finish, like we see above, was another option. Some (but not all) bookends might be offered in a hand-painted, polychromed (multi-color) finish. One hundred years of use and exposure to the interior elements add their own patina-of-time. The crevices are probably darker than they once were. Little chips of finish—or rub marks—add their own evidence of time. For this reason, I...
In honor of the new pope—LEO XIV—we are sharing some of our favorite felines here at LEO Design. All currently are available right here, on the LEO Design website.
This lion, cast in spelter (sometimes called "white metal"), is "cold-painted" after casting, cooling and chasing (that is, cleaning-off any burrs or irregularities from the casting process). This King of the Jungle expresses a gentle, stately demeanor—seemingly at-peace. He pauses atop a small mound, surveying his kingdom to the horizon.
Cats—of any size—will always be wild hunters-at-heart. Such is the allure of big cats; such is the allure of house cats. Here we see a pair of nicely-modeled and crisply-cast bookends which portray our hero—a LEO stalking some quarry which only he can see. The sculptor captured beautifully the coiled energy, the silently-creeping tension, of this hunter. He crouches atop a rocky outcrop, keeping low as to not reveal his intention. Even the rocky "pedestal" is beautifully rendered and cast. The bookends still retain their original, handsome bronze finish
This six-lion candy mould ticks two boxes for me—for I love LEOs and I love chocolate!
It was made in the 1910's and, judging from the weight of the metal, it was probably intended for a commercial candy maker. An exterior plating of copper lies-over the steel "tray." I picture all these little chocolate LEOs, wrapped-up in golden foil, sitting in a partitioned chocolate box. Such were the good old days—when each city or town supported its own Mom and Pop candy shop.
For these two weeks, we are commemorating new Pope LEO XIV with a parade of handsome lions, now on sale at LEO Design.
On the tummy of this little bronze lion is the impressed word "Courage." Though small, this brave little lion could be your reminder to remain resolute—or it may be a wonderful admonition to someone you love.
Parisian Antoine-Louis Barye was the greatest animalier of his time—that is, an artist who sculpts realistic animals. He was born in 1796 and got his start as an apprentice under Napoleon’s goldsmith. In 1816, he was admitted to the Ecole des Beaux Arts where he pursued sculpture—initially honing his talent with medallions and bas relief works. Barye enjoyed spending time sketching animals of the Royal Menagerie in Paris’s Jardin des Plantes—and his sketches have been favorably compared to Delacroix’s. From these sketches, the artist would craft small clay models which he would cast in bronze. Both his sketches and his cast bronzes succeeded in capturing the wild, naturalistic personalities of their subjects. Barye also produced monumental works in addition to the...
As a child, I had a Ringling Brothers circus poster on my bedroom wall. A fierce lion—paw raised—snarled from the colorful print. This pair of Art Deco cast iron bookends remind me of that LEO from my boyhood. These bookends were made in the Twenties or Thirties. They are beautifully (and intricately) modeled, nicely cast and finished with a (now aged) dark patina. They await employment in your office or library—or standing upon your mantel or windowsill where they will snarl silently (yet fiercely).
In commemoration of the new pope—LEO XIV—we will be spending the next fourteen days sharing some of our favorite, handsome LEOs, currently on-offer on this website. Shown above, a cast iron lion bank from the Turn-of-the-Century. It has a rich, dark patina, acquired over more than a century of standing guard. It makes a wonderful sculpture, though I would hesitate to use it to store my coins. I'd advise against using a screwdriver to unscrew the two halves.
Over the past two-and-a-half weeks, I have been captivated by the solemn grandeur on display as the Catholic Church commemorated and buried its beloved Pope Francis. The subsequent period of discernment and the election of his replacement have been equally riveting—with its timeless ritual, drama and (yes) theatre. As a practicing and devoted Roman Catholic, I was highly interested in (and engaged with) the unfolding process and its outcome. Like most Catholics, I hold personal convictions and preferences of how I'd like my Church to journey-on. (Grazie, Francesco!) I also realize that this 2,000 year old institution does not make many sudden jumps—or move very quickly. In this regard, it's good that (in most things) I usually support...
The British Arts & Crafts Movement began in the Late Victorian Era—which accounts for the more highly-decorated, florid demeanor of some (but not all) British Arts & Crafts objets. In America, we sometimes associate the Arts & Crafts with a more linear, angular, perhaps severe aesthetic (think Stickley or Frank Lloyd Wright). In England, people like William Morris were at the forefront of the Arts & Crafts "revolution"—and English Victorian "busy-ness" made its influence felt. The small mirror, shown above, is surrounded by a hand-tooled brass frame, mounted upon a red-velvet-wrapped board. The intricacy and crisp execution of the brasswork are remarkable (click on the picture to magnify it)—though the entire presentation of the mirror is not fussy or frivolous. Its...
Between Good Friday (when Jesus was killed and buried) and Easter Sunday (when Jesus rose from the dead), we have Holy Saturday—a time of contemplation and watchful waiting. Holy Saturday is the last day of the Triduum, which concludes with the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night. The Italian sandglass, shown above, is made of sand-cast pewter fitted with a corseted glass timer. It holds (approximately) five minutes of sand (though precise timing never seems to be of paramount importance in Italy—style and craftsmanship are). Sandcasting of metals is an ancient process, thousands of years old. An object (which one would like to duplicate) is pressed into a bed of sticky sand, creating a "mould." Then molten metal (bronze, brass,...
The Mass on Holy Thursday—also called Maundy Thursday—marks the endpoint of Lent and the beginning of the Paschal Triduum (which is the three day period before Easter: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday). The Holy Thursday Mass celebrates Jesus's Last Supper with his disciples (which was a Passover Seder Meal). Several important things happened during this meal, which was celebrated on the night before Jesus was to be betrayed, tried, tortured, crucified and killed. It was at this meal that Jesus instituted the Eucharist for his followers. He also got on the floor and humbly washed the feet of his flustered disciples—the Mandatum which he enjoined them to imitate. And it was at this meal that Jesus provided important (final)...
Let's end our little parade of candlesticks for Passover with this handsome pair of German Jugendstil hand-hammered iron candelabra. The German Arts & Crafts Movement was called "Jugendstil"—literally translated as "The Youth Style." Like other Art Nouveau movements, the Jugendstil emphasized human handcraft utilizing simple (natural) materials, sensuous forms, and motifs inspired by nature (botany and zoology). It was also an Avant-Garde departure (a Secession) from the prevailing trend of commercialized, industrial production. Hugo Berger was a metalsmith who opened a workshop in 1895 in Schmalkalden, a town in the state of Thuringia, Central Germany. His handwrought designs, inspired by Gothic metalworks, were mostly crafted in iron or steel--and sometimes enhanced with copper or brass embellishments. Not all of his...
This week, we are observing Passover by sharing some of the handsome candlesticks, now in-stock at LEO Design.
These smallish Victorian English brass candlesticks are perfect for just the right spot. Standing under seven inches in height (and spanning less than three inches across the base), they might very well solve this problem: how to decorate a tight spot (and provide light) without sacrificing style or presence. They could be squeezed-into a crowded dining table or sideboard. Or they might fit nicely upon a windowsill or narrow mantelpiece. They were made in England in the 1860's - 1880's.
To my mind, the Art Nouveau Movement is the umbrella "aesthetic school" under which the world's various Arts & Crafts movements abide. Throughout the world, wherever an Art Nouveau Movement existed, its artisans utilized naturalistic themes (from geography, botany or zoology) to influence their work. Handcraft was essential as was the employment of simple materials.
The Arts & Crafts hammered, silver-plated candlesticks, shown above, were inspired by tulips—the stems as well as the flower petals. They were made around 1910 by Meriden (founded in 1852 in Meriden, Connecticut.) The metal (copper?) candlesticks were cast and assembled, then hand-hammered, then plated in silver. They would bring a handsome touch of nature to your dining table, presiding elegantly over your festive entertaining.
Tonight—at sundown—begins the Jewish observance of Passover. It will last through eight nights, ending at sunset on Sunday 20 April (which, this year, happens to be Easter Sunday). The first two nights of Passover usually receive the greatest attention with families preparing seder meals. Passover commemorates an event (as relayed in The Book of Exodus) which happened while the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. God sent The Angel of Death to Egypt who was to kill all the first borns—human and animal. Believers were instructed to slaughter and eat a lamb and (importantly) mark their doorframes with its blood. As the angel performed his assignment, he would pass-over those homes which were thus marked, sparing those people. Passover candles customarily...
Let's wrap-up our parade of gold cufflinks with this handsome English Art Deco pair by Deakin & Francis. Deakin & Francis was founded by Benjamin Woolfield in 1786. It was located at 15-17 Regent Place, in the Jewelry Quarter of Birmingham. Initially, the firm served as a jewelry-maker for other upscale jewelers—making items for the other brands, marked with those other brands' names. Over time, the firm began to expand its own line of branded jewelry and, today, still manufactures and sells its own products. This makes them England's oldest surviving "manufacturing jeweler." They have a flagship store in the Piccadilly Arcade in London. The company still manufactures at its original location, which has been expanded and modernized several times...
The Art Nouveau movement in Austria was called Secessionism. It included painting, sculpture, architecture, fashion, jewelry, graphic design and the decorative arts. Vienna was not only the capital city of the Secessionist movement, it was the first city of the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire—which gave the city (and the Secessionist art movement) great reach.
The 14 karat gold cufflinks, shown above, were made in Austria around the Turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century. Yellow gold lozenges are hand-engraved with scrolling botanical elements—leaves and blossoms.
This week we are sharing some of our favorite gold and gold-content cufflinks—handsome and tasteful accessories for the well-tailored man. The tightly-woven "basketweave" pattern on these English Art Deco cufflinks is so tiny that the weaving looks more like a texture than sculpture—creating a "no pattern pattern." They are made of 9 karat gold—a value which is pretty low. What these cufflinks don't possess in intrinsic (material) value, they make-up for in strength and durability. 24 karat (that is, pure) gold is very soft; lower karat values ensure that the metal is durable and will hold-up to use (especially on the end of a moving wrist). Click on the photo above to learn more about these handsome cufflinks. More...
North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was an important player in the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries of the American jewelry manufacturing industry. (Nearby Providence, Rhode Island was another locus of the trade.) Like we see in England, light manufacturing was often concentrated in industrial cities, a bit removed from the populated, urban hubs. The factory space in a Birmingham or North Attleboro was much less costly than in London or New York. In 1873, Robert Fitz Simmons founded the RF Simmons Company—along with his two business partners, Joseph Lyman Sweet and Edgar L. Hixon. Each man contributed $2,500. The company's initial production comprised assorted gold-filled chains: necklaces, bracelets, watch chains and eyeglass chains. Within a decade-and-a-half, Simmons had 200...
The 10 karat gold fronts of these English Art Deco cufflinks are etched with a "honeycomb-effect" graphic. Picture them pressed against a crisp, baby blue shirt cuff—laid over a handsome, sun-tanned wrist. Summer's on its way!
Over the years, we haven't stocked too many Arts & Crafts cufflinks in the shop. They seem to be difficult to find. This pair, made of hand-hammered 10 karat gold, are embellished with a crisply-drawn "meandering" graphic. The juxtaposition of rustic planishing, contrasted with tidy etching, creates an interesting confluence of attitudes.
This week we are sharing some of our Golden Links, currently found in the LEO Design on-line shop.
From the late English Art Deco period comes this handsome pair of 9 karat gold cufflinks. They are hallmarked Birmingham, 1949. A clean "slash" travels diagonally across the machine-turned basketweave-engraved faces. They are handsome, sophisticated and crisply-elegant.
The Aesthetic Movement of the late Nineteenth Century had a big influence on the fine and the decorative arts of the Victorian Age. Shown here, a pair of gold-content cufflinks, hand-engraved with a partitioned, botanical design, surrounded with a silver bezel. It is not uncommon to find Nineteenth Century jewelry which was never marked as to metal content. Thus, we are uncertain of the karat grade of this gold. The "toggle" fastener on the back of the cufflinks was also common in the Nineteenth Century.
For the next several days, we'll be sharing some of our handsome gold (or gold-content) cufflinks—most of them embellished with elegant and stylish engraving. Such golden links will always be a stylish and elegant accessory for any well-tailored man. Shown here, a pair of English Art Deco cufflinks hallmarked Birmingham, 1929. They were made by Owen Powell, a jeweler in the Birmingham "Jewelry Quarter" in the Twenties and Thirties. These 9 karat gold links were "machine-turned," that is, etched with the tight, precise and repetitive pattern seen here. Lathes had been used for turning wood or stone since the Ancient Mycenaeans in 1300 BC. In the Eighteenth Century, with the advent of the Industrial Age, the lathe was adapted for...
Welcome, February, and your birthstone—the diamond. Diamonds have always been the "crown jewel" of the "cardinal gemstones," a designation which includes diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires (and, at one time, amethysts). Diamonds are very old. Most were formed between 1 and 3.5 billion years ago, deep within the Earth (some 90-500 miles down). More recently (say hundreds of millions of years ago), the Earth's volcanic activity shifted the substrate, slowly moving some of those diamonds closer to the surface of the Earth (where miners could find them). And some diamonds were created by the heat and pressure of meteorites crashing to the Earth. Diamonds are also very hard. Very few diamonds are suitable for jewelry (which must be nearly...
Sharp-eyed shoppers on e-Bay recently have discovered that important American antiquities have been listed on that selling platform—providing an opportunity for Americans to "BY A PIECE OF AMERICA'S GREAT(EST!) HISTORY!--NEVER BEEN BETTER. UNBELIEVABLE WHITE HOUSE ANTIQUES LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SCENE! ZERO TARIFFS! INVEST NOW!!!" The listings went live at 3:04 am today, April 1st. The e-Bay seller, using the name "Dealer Of Great(est) Envestments," is offering a mix of Federalist furniture, vintage brocade draperies, gilt-bronze lighting fixtures and an assortment of desk accessories: pens, boxes, inkwells and desktop picture frames. There is also a very large assortment of antique, leather-bound books—being sold as box lots—sorted by color. Although several presidential portraits were originally listed for sale, it seems that these lots...
Let's end our celebration of light—we're sharing some newly-acquired lamps at LEO Design—right where we began: with another pair of Stiffel lamps. This pair, from the Seventies or Eighties, is more Traditional in styling, with a "balustrade," urn-form body. Like other Stiffel lamps, they are handsomely designed, beautifully finished, and noticeably heavy. These lamps exude a sense of propriety, permanence and gravitas. Though they could work in many different aesthetic situations (especially if the shade were to be changed), they are best suited to a Federalist, a serious, or a formal setting. Were I to open a law office (or a bank), I'd place these lamps on the two corners of my (very large) desk.
Jesse H. Bunnell was born in Ohio in 1843. At the age of eleven, he was a messenger-boy and by 13 was working as a telegraph operator (sending messages electronically by Morse Code). He was quick, efficient, and a constant inventor. At the age of 17, he set a telegraphist speed record while transmitting President Buchanan's final address to Congress (averaging 32 words per minute for a two hour duration). During the Civil War, Bunnell served as a telegraphist for both President Abraham Lincoln and General George McClellan. During the Civil War, telegraphists, like Bunnell, were only paid $60 a month—a small amount considering the critical importance of their mission and the fact that they were often at (or near)...
As we move deeper into the Spring, the weather gets blessedly warmer and we enjoy increasingly longer days. More light! With this thought in mind, we'd like to share some of our newly-acquired light fixtures, currently available in the LEO Design on-line store. One of the finest lamp manufacturers in America is the Stiffel Lamp Company. Each of their (very heavy!) lamps is a work of art and precision craftsmanship. The company was founded in Chicago in 1932. Ted Stiffel—a fine artist and an accomplished craftsman—started the company to create superb, high-quality metal light fixtures. Stiffel is still in business today; they operate a 40,000 square foot workshop in Linden, New Jersey. They have continued to produce fine merchandise in...
In the wake of Saint Patrick's Day, we are celebrating some of LEO Design's handsome green offerings, like the pair of Art Deco cufflinks, shown above. While these cufflinks resemble a pair we shared earlier this week, they are different in one small detail. On this pair, the enamel is celadon-colored (not Spring green). Celadon ceramics glazes were invented by the Chinese in the Tenth Century. The name refers to a light green or grayish-green color, often with a lightly crackled surface effect. Celadon—which can range from pale green to a deeper grey-green—is reminiscent of jade, a continuously-popular stone in Asian cultures. And, while these glazes can be applied to many different types of clays (including stoneware and earthenware), it...
In these days after Saint Patrick's Day, we're sharing some of our favorite green items—all currently on offer on the LEO Design website.
Shown here, a handsome pair of Art Deco cufflinks. The triangular form is aerodynamically modern and the fan-form graphic, which adorns the faces, gives energy and movement to the design. But, what I like best, is the crisp combination of Kelly green and bright white enameling—fresh, bold and clean. This pair of cufflinks will be perfect for Spring and, certainly, throughout the Summer.
I love all shades of green. And it is the lightest shade—like a brand new Spring leaf, just-unfurled—which might be my favorite. It is so delicate and vulnerable, and yet promising. This pale hue marks the earliest signs of Spring resurrection after a long and dreary Winter. Shown above, a handsome pair of Art Deco sterling silver cufflinks, made in the Thirties. The refreshing Spring green enamel rests upon a machine-turned guilloché surface. "Machine turning" is a manner of engraving metal (with a rotating machine, like a lathe) in order to impart a precise, geometric design upon the metal. Jewelry, like these cufflinks, are often machine-turned. So are the printing plates for valuable paper certificates—like currency, stocks or diplomas—which helps prevent...
On this evening, eight years ago, we moved out of our Chelsea apartment. The truckers had just removed the last box. Our furniture was wrapped and rolling. And our rented mini-van was en route to Pittsburgh--400 miles West. Benji sat in his crate between our seats. Lucky, the parakeet, chirped confusedly from his seat-belted cage in the back. This was a major turning-point in our lives. Had we made the right decision? Tomorrow we would meet those very same movers at our new home, where they would unpack the trucks—and leave us with weeks (months, years?) of unpacking, assembling and arranging.
"Beware the Ides of March," warned Spurrina, the Etruscan Haruspex, to Julius Caesar. A haruspex was a soothsayer—a seer—trained in predicting the future by studying the entrails of slaughtered animals. He believed that trouble might befall the leader on the Idus (the mid-point) of Martius (March). The year was 44 BC.
So, on that day, as Caesar was heading to the Theatre of Pompey (where the Senate was convening), he passed that very fortuneteller in the street. "Well, the Ides of March are come," said Julius. "Aye," the seer responded, "but they are not yet gone." It was at that Senate meeting, at the Theatre of Pompey, where a group of 60 conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius, assassinated Julius Caesar.
Saint George is amongst the most popular and venerated of saints, named the patron saint of England, Portugal, Catalonia, Bulgaria, Malta, Lebanon, Ethiopia and Brazil. Observe the red "Saint George Cross" on numerous flags and crests of cities and villages for even more regional devotions to the saint. Despite this popularity, his history is a bit fuzzy—and, perhaps, a bit fanciful. We believe that he was of Greek Cappadocian ancestry (located in modern day Turkey), born into a Christian family. He became a Roman soldier under the Emperor Diocletian, eventually elevated to the elite Praetorian Guard. In 303 AD, however, a purge of Christians from the Roman Army (called The Diocletianic Persecution) demanded that George renounce his Christian faith....
An armored knight steadies his steed, who's chomping at the bit, ready to begin the joust. These bronze-clad bookends are nicely patinated and hand-painted. They were sculpted with dynamic tension; one can practically hear the stomping and snorting of the swaying beast. Made in the Twenties or Thirties in Metuchen, New Jersey, by Marion Bronze.
I love horses. I love sculpture. And I love bookends. Check, check, check. But when it comes to horse racing, I have pretty-mixed feelings. I know that top race horses are treated magnificently. And, yet, injuries and track-side executions are still all-too-common. And for every top-tier race horse, there are hundreds of other horses who live and race at lower-level (perhaps questionable) stables and tracks. Despite these reservations, I think that the bookends, shown above, are straight out of the Winner's Circle. Made of heavy cast iron, they are patinated with a rich, traditional bronze, highlighted with golden bronze bas relief sculpting. The horses (and the horseshoe) fairly pop from the surfaces of these bookends, made by Bradley & Hubbard...
As a boy, when I raised horses, we were taught an iron clad rule: one should never let his horse graze with a bit in its mouth. I guess we were worried about the animal choking—or, at least, getting grass caught in the metal bar of the bit. I also have been in the practice of not buying very many painted cast iron bookends. I guess most painted bookends seemed tacky to me, and not well-painted. In buying these painted "grazing horse" bookends, I have had to neglect two operating principles in my life (grazing while bridled and painted cast iron). And I couldn't be happier with myself. The cast iron bookends, shown above, depict a horse grazing while he...
The Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel in a cave in 610 AD. In 613 AD, the prophet began his public ministry—preaching his teachings of the new religion, Islam, amongst fellow Arabs. Initially, Islam spread mostly throughout the Arabian Peninsula. After Muhammad's death in 632 AD, Islam spread very quickly. Within 125 years, Islam had spread throughout North Africa, deep into Central Asia, and into parts of Europe. Some of this expansion was achieved by merchant-traders along well-established trade routes. But Islam was also established through Islamic military force—and their vigorous colonizing of foreign peoples. The Ottomans were a powerful Islamic empire based in Anatolia (Turkey). Founded in 1299, the Ottoman Empire grew in strength through...
Sculptor Cyrus E. Dallin (1861-1944) was born in Springville, Utah. As a child, Cyrus played with local Native American children and developed a deep respect for their culture (and a sympathy for their plight). During his fruitful career, he created a cycle of four Native American sculptural groupings (between 1890 and 1908). The fourth of these sculptures, called Appeal to the Great Spirit, inspired the pair of cast iron bookends shown above, made in the Twenties or Thirties. At the age of 19, Dallin left Utah for Boston where he apprenticed under sculptor T.H. Bartlett. In Boston, he befriended sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens and painter John Singer Sargent. In time, Dallin travelled to Paris to study at the Académie Julian....
While I recoil at the thought of killing a majestic buffalo with a spear—and I lament the near extinction of the species in America—I do admire the artistry manifested in this pair of cast iron "Bison Hunt" bookends from the Twenties or Thirties. The bas relief sculpting captures the frenetic energy of the hunt—and quite a lot of detail, too. See the dust rising from the hard-packed plain, as scrub bush disappear behind the sooty haze. And the artful sculpting is appreciable thanks to the crisp casting. Lastly, the bookends are finished with a dark bronze patina—while soft, golden highlights peek-out here and there.
Sculptor James Earle Fraser (1876-1953) was born in Winona, Minnesota. Even as a boy, he was moved by the plight of Native Americans who were being pushed further West or confined to reservations. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, followed by studies in Paris, at the École des Beaux Arts and the Académie Julian.
Shown above, a pair of cast iron bookends based on Fraser's famous sculpture, The End of the Trail. His first model was made in 1894, while Fraser was still a teenager. He made several copies, in varying sizes, including one which was displayed at the San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. The exhibition helped make the sculpture very famous.
The theme of "The Horse Tamer" has long been a popular subject in sculpture—from Antiquity to the Enlightenment. Greek sculptors portrayed human trainers subduing their equine charges—which the Romans later copied for their own city. Amongst the most famous Roman Horse Tamers are a pair which flank an obelisk and fountain on Rome's Quirinal Hill. The pair—called Dioscuri, the twin half-brothers Castor & Pollux—were copied in the Fourth Century from Ancient Greek predecessors. In 1792, Napoleon considered removing them to Paris, however, they proved too large and difficult to transport. Also in Rome, another pair of Dioscuri, standing atop the dramatic ramp which leads to Michelangelo's Piazza del Campodoglio.
When I was a kid, I rode and showed horses. I belonged to one of the (three) 4-H horsemanship chapters on the island of Kauai: The Comancheros. I was crazy about horses. I read all the James Herriot books and saw myself becoming a large animal vet. Caring for a horse was a daily, all-consuming task. I had to head-out to the pasture every day after school—trucking water, food, and grooming equipment in the station wagon—which left no time for any other extracurricular pursuits. But I learned about carrying serious responsibility and committing to care for something which required absolute daily attention. I also experienced the indescribable bond that a horse and rider can form. I can still recall the...
Let's end our pre-Spring flight with this little guy—a roly-poly baby bird. He is cast in brass and finished with a verdigris bronze patina. He may not be read to take flight. (He may never be able to take flight!) But he will look ever-so-cute sitting in-place, waiting for that hopeful day.
This pair of gentle sparrows—one tail-up, one tail-down—are sculpted with meticulous detail and convey the watchful energy of such a vulnerable creature. They bear a naturalistic, not Impressionistic, resemblance to the real birds and would make a lovely addition to that perfect little spot in your home.
Rise and Shine! This brassy British bantam is bellowing with bold abandon! He was cast in Edwardian England, circa 1910. Let him happily greet the dawn from your desk, bookshelf or bedside table.
Swan Lake is my favorite ballet. And this is not because of the storyline or the dancing. It's because of the sublime music by Tchaikovsky. The music is ravishing and poignant and devastating. It goes right to my heart. How could one not be moved (elevated and dashed) by this incredible 1876 score?
This little bronze swan, cast in Canada, will seemingly glide across your desk, bookshelf or windowsill.
In times past, children would be found playing with small sculpted figurines—perhaps soldiers, animals or automobiles. Such animals might be those varieties found on a farm, at a circus, in a zoo or on Noah's Ark. Here we have a pair of British tin penguins—dressed in their fancy, hand-painted black and white "tuxedos." They probably originated from a collection of zoo animals in the Twenties or Thirties. Playful penguins have always captivated humans. Their rocking gait, formal "attire" and devoted nesting practices have made them ripe for anthropomorphism. Indeed, these little tin birds have loads of personality—despite the simplicity of their design.
Spring is in the air. We've been teased with fleeting moments of warmth—only to be blanketed with snow and ice the next day. But the birds are aflutter, zooming through my backyard. Let's anticipate the Spring with a selection of feathered friends, all now in-stock at LEO Design.
Shown above, a brass tea bell—its handle a chickadee, alighted upon a leafy twig. It's a handsome bell, whether employed at-table, sitting upon a pile of coffee table books, or standing sentry on your windowsill.
Day two. I switched-out yesterday's leather boots for sneakers. And I packed my sweatshirt and sweatpants to change for the 4:00 pm pack-up. Alas, the weather—which had been snowing and slushy all weekend—has turned worse. It's sleeting—horizontally. Loading my station wagon will not be a fun thing.
But I learned a lot and enjoyed the experience. I'll probably come back next year.
Shown above, a pair of English Art Deco sterling silver cufflinks from the Twenties or Thirties. Bold stripes of lime green and white enameling lie-over a textural "waffled" guilloche. They are sporty, fresh, and perfect for the Spring and Summer. (Picture them against a tanned wrist!)
Valentinus was a Third Century Roman priest—possibly a bishop—who ministered to the persecuted Christians of Rome. He was arrested by Roman Emperor, Claudius II, who came to like the charming priest. However, when Valentinus pressed the emperor to become a Christian, Claudius laid-down an ultimatum: either Valentinus would renounce Christ or he would be beaten and beheaded. Valentinus met his martyrdom around the year 270—on the Via Flaminia. His relics were kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome which became a popular Medieval pilgrimage destination. In the 13th Century, he was moved to Santa Prassede, then to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. More of his relics can be found in Madrid, Dublin, Prague, Lesbos,...
Boy! Didn't January 2025 feel six months long! But we've made it to February, and she brings with her a birthstone, the regal Amethyst.
"In the Olde Days," Amethysts were rare, indeed. They were considered one of the "Cardinal Gemstones"—alongside diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Further elevating their status was their association with the monarchy—as the precious (and costly) color purple has long been linked to the royalty. Alas, new and large amethyst mines were discovered in Brazil in the Nineteenth Century, causing the global price of amethysts to fall. Though less-precious today than they once were, they remain no less beautiful—or regal. And they are the birthstone to those born in February.
Agate stones are popular throughout Britain—no more so than in Scotland. The natural "layering"—irregular stripes of stratification—build-up over centuries of time, heat and pressure. Once polished, no two pieces are ever exactly the same. Furthermore, for centuries gemologists have been dying agate to create different, pleasing color combinations.
The English brooch, shown above, was made in London. The sterling silver mounting is hallmarked London 1987. While that might not seem very old, rest assured that the agate stone itself is millions of years old (and looking better than ever).
