I love brass and I buy a lot of brass decorative accessories. Trays, bells, desk accessories—and, quite often, candlesticks. Sometimes brass is “hot” (as it is now), and sometimes it’s not (as it has been many times in the past). I don’t care—I continue to buy handsome brass objects year in and year out, mostly […]
A wise owl has alighted at LEO Design—atop a pine bough on this Art Nouveau letter rack. Made in the 1910’s or 1920’s, he’ll bring both knowledge and style to your desk or bookshelf. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Today—and daily through 23 December—LEO Design will […]
The more I look at this English Arts & Crafts tray, the more I like it. Its hand-hammered design features a star formed of five Gothic arches, a swirling center point and fields of flowers everywhere else. Crisply executed, the repoussé work appears to jump-forth from the metal. It’s perfect for carrying a round of […]
Over the years, I’ve had many variations on this theme—rings or “links” of metal forming a a round, square or rectangular photo frame. But, 99% of the time, the rings are brass—not copper like the frame above. To my eye, the frames have a vaguely equestrian sensibility. Perhaps the chain reminds me of a snaffle […]
A British fish swims through his undersea domain on this Edwardian English brass letter rack, c. 1905. Let it bring a little peace (and order) to your home desk or office. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Today—and daily through 23 December—LEO Design will be open from Noon ’til […]
Vesta was the Roman goddess of family, home and hearth—a virgin symbolized by the flame which would burn at her temples throughout the Empire. Her name is believed to be derived from the word “to burn” and her Greek equivalent was Hestia. “Vestal Virgins” were the women dedicated to serving Vesta in her temples. Vesta […]
We sell a lot of men’s personal accessories including money clips. The example above, made in a small Philadelphia metal smithy, is crafted of annealed bronze—a process by which metal is heated and slowly cooled, thus strengthening the metal and enhancing its ability to hold its bend. But, before it is annealed, the flattened strip […]
A pair of handsome bird dogs stand ready-to-retrieve in this pair of American bronze-clad bookends, made in the 1920’s. Though once considered a “poor man’s bronze,” today, this type of work is quite collectible. First, the figure was cast in a “composite” material—a combination of plaster, resin, and other binders. Then the piece was electroplated with […]
Though you’d rather not break-apart this wishbone, it still is lucky, nevertheless. Cast of sterling silver in California, it is a handsome and sentimental token—a good luck wish and a thoughtful gift. Please come into the shop to see it or call us for further information. From the 5th to 23rd of […]
A guilty-looking fox paces tensely just outside the garden gate—in this English brass letter rack from about 1920. He’s part of a recent shipment from England—where I found a large number of Handsome Gifts now in-store. Please come into the shop to see the complete shipment or click on the photo above to learn more about the […]
This little bronze donkey is made in California and he has a little secret. Under each of his four hooves is a letter spelling K – I – C – K. Let’s Kick Ass! Another subliminal suggestion, brought to you by your good friends at LEO Design. See new merchandise first! Follow […]
Six days to go. Feeling puzzled? I am. It’s not so much a matter of not knowing who to support; I fell-in behind my 2016 candidate eight years ago—during the tearful “Roll Call of States” at my party’s summer Convention in Denver. I haven’t wavered or even thought twice about who I would support the […]
I can never find enough lions. Especially on bookends. Especially these bookends! Made in the 1920’s, they capture a regal lion, paws extended in relaxation, but, nevertheless aware that he is always being observed. Let him bring a touch of his royal mien to your office, den or bookshelf. Please click on the photo above […]
I spent a good part of the month shopping in Europe—England and Scandinavia, to be precise. One of the “little treasures” I found is this simple, folded brass letterknife, fastened tight with a copper rivet. It makes no pretension at grandeur. It is just a simple, handsome and useful thing. Please come into the shop […]
It’s brass. It’s Baronial. And it’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen—amongst letter knives, that is. Cast in England around 1920, it’ll make a grand statement on your desk or a fabulous prop in Tosca (she could stab Scarpia with it!). Please come into the shop to see it in person or call us for […]
I bought these bookends simply because I thought they were beautiful—and I had never seen a similar pair before. A little research has yielded quite a lot about the Indo-Saracenic Revival, after which these were modeled. “Indo” usually denotes “of Indian provenance or influence.” “Saracenic” is from a Latin term, coined by the Romans, which […]
The Galgo Español is an ancient breed of hound from Spain, documented as far back as the second half of the Middle Ages. This time period coincides with the Reconquista—that is, the period when Spanish Christians re-claimed the lands held by Iberian Muslims. As Spanish Catholics began to move-down from the more mountainous areas and […]
Ahh, La Belle Époch. “The Beautiful Age.” It was a time of relative peace, economic expansion (for the middle and upper classes), empire (for Europeans and Americans) and wonderful design and craftsmanship. Roughly speaking, the period comprised the final quarter of the Nineteenth Century and the start of the Twentieth Century (until World War […]
Italy’s most famous writer gazes hawkishly from atop his plinth which is styled as a Medieval book. Dante Alighieri (1265 – 1321) finished his epic poem, The Divine Comedy, a year before his death. In it he describes a creative Medieval view of the afterlife as he is taken on a tour of Hell, Purgatory […]
Let’s end this little parade of newly-acquired Handsome Gifts from England with a hand-hammered and tooled English Arts & Crafts cigarette box, made circa 1900. While the soft wood lining shows signs of its hundred year age, the brass exterior looks as good as new. And, though it came into this world as a cigarette […]
I have always loved dogs, though none as much as my little shop dog, Benji. While he sleeps in his crate behind the cash wrap, little vintage canines rest contentedly in the antique display case. In England this week, I’ve added a few more to the collection, examples shown above. A silver-plated brass Dachshund folds […]
I am not a purist when it comes to collecting. I like Handsome Gifts from many periods: the Gothic Revival, Aesthetic Movement, Bauhaus, Art Deco, even (some) Modernism. But Arts & Crafts will always be my starting point—and has been the jumping off point of my collecting for LEO Design. When I find a […]
Besides finding wonderful and handsome gifts for my shop, being in England this week provides me another benefit: I am avoiding the constant scrum of the current political fracas. Though I am, admittedly, a committed partisan, I nevertheless cannot wait for 8 November to come and go. And I’m sure I’m not alone! Finding this […]
It’s Labor Day, an occasion to recognize and thank the men and women who—by the strain of their backs and the sweat of their brows—have (already) made our country great. There was a time—even in America—when heroic male nudes were used in art, monument and architecture. With a tip of the hat to the Classical […]
Though I’ve found and sold many different Abraham Lincoln bookends over the years, I have never seen this pair before. Made in the 1920’s or 1930’s, they still retain quite a bit of their original paint—making for a handsome and useful addition to any library, desk or bookshelf. Please come into the shop to see […]
Pure cultures can be fascinating. Even more interesting, in my opinion, is when cultures blend—creating a wholly-new and sometimes beautiful creation. Architecture, food and even people are often very alluring when they express the features of multiple, melded backgrounds. What could be more English than a tea caddy? Sure, many other cultures valued, stored and […]
Remember when a president's nickname might be . . . flattering? What would “Honest Abe” think of his political party today? Would he vote? Would he abstain? Would he switch parties? I suppose trying to answer these questions requires a bit of conjecture. What is true: Abraham Lincoln is widely-considered America’s favorite president and possibly its greatest.
The cast iron bookends, shown above, were made in the 1920’s and still retain some of their original hand-painting. Please come into the shop to see them in-person and, perhaps, spare a thought for his election year predicament.
We end our little parade of newly-acquired English items with this English Arts & Crafts brass pen tray. Made about 1900, it is stamped with an exuberant assortment of stylized botanicals. Intended to hold pens or other desk accoutrements, it would also be perfect at bedside to hold rings, bookmarks, collar stays or a small collection of […]
Amongst my recent finds in England: a set of eight (plus one) silver-plated cocktail stems, circa 1950. They are modesty-sized, perfect for today’s lighter mixed drinks—or also suitable for a pre- or post-prandial nip. And you’ll never have to worry about your guests shattering them! Please come into the shop to see them in-person or […]
What it is about English Art Deco that I find so appealing? Is it the “smart, sensible style”—stately, yes, but not superfluous? Is the the image of a young, future queen serving tea to her dogs? Or is it the thought that the British Art Deco period marked a “happy bubble” in the all-too-short time […]
Before the Twentieth Century, most homes did not have many books. It was the well-educated (and mostly rich) who could afford the luxury of a home library (think Downton Abbey). But with the post-War rise of a middle class—which had the money and propensity to collect books—a modest home library became more common. For this […]
We’ve been sharing some of our newly-acquired items, just brought back from England. Everything is now checked-in, cleaned-up, priced and put-out on display. Please come into the shop to see these new and beautiful items. In the meantime, we’re sharing a few selected pieces here in our Journal. Shown above, a Scottish Arts & Crafts […]
Last month I completed a successful buying trip to London. The result: fully-stocked shelves of Handsome Gifts as only the English know how to make them! By now (finally!) everything has been spiffed-up, photographed, priced, arranged and is ready for your closest inspection. Many of these new finds already have been posted to our Instagram account […]
Today, 23 July, marks the first day of LEO. It is also the shop’s (ceremonial) 21st birthday and the third anniversary of our website and daily journal. And, have I mentioned, it’s my birthday? LEO’s are proud, loyal and love a good show. While they do have (a few) flaws, let’s leave those aside for […]
In 1874 Germany, just downstream from WMF on the River Fils, the brothers Fritz and Robert Fischer opened a metalworks in the village of Göppingen (Baden-Württemberg). It was a good time for German metalsmiths—especially those who produced in the popular Jugendstil aesthetic. Although the behemoth (WMF) was just twelve miles upstream, there was room for […]
The Germans are a practical people. In industry, government or home-management, they seem to appreciate the most-direct route between two points. Their language reflects this sensibility as well: long words are created by simply sticking-together a series of smaller words. Case in point: the three English words which make-up “Metal Ware Fabricators” becomes (in German) […]
In the aftermath of World War II and its devastation, the world’s leaders sought a means to prevent such conflicts in the future—and decided to create the United Nations. Multiple sites were considered, including Flushing Meadow, in Queens, site of the 1939 World’s Fair. When a development project in Manhattan (along the East River) fell-apart, […]
Some people can be so unreasonable! There are the superstitious amongst us who believe an elephant MUST have his trunk extended upwards or they want nothing to do with him. Not only is this conviction unscientific, but even real elephants don’t keep their trunks permanently extended. To require the poor creature to hold-up his (heavy) appendage […]
Remember when a baby’s naked little bottom was a symbol of innocence—when two year olds would pose for a snap on a bearskin rug and cherubs could fly around Baroque rooms without raising questions or suspicions? Today we keep our antennae attuned to any possible impropriety involving children (and that’s good). Nevertheless, we might have […]
Ravenna is a fascinating Italian city—discreet, yet wonderful. At first glance, it appears to be a rather unadorned, plain brown city. But oh, how Ravenna keeps her charms under wraps! Historically, Ravenna was very important—first as the seat of the Western Roman Empire, and later as an important part of the Byzantine (Eastern, that is, […]
I think this is the perfect tray! It was crafted in the 1910’s in Meriden, Connecticut and will reside comfortably within either an Arts & Crafts or Art Deco aesthetic. First the tray was fashioned in brass. Next it was hand-hammered, then electroplated with silver. It can hold six large-bowled coupes or eight smaller glasses—and […]
When I first laid eyes upon these Secessionist brass candelabra, I felt a profound conviction that they had been used as altar sticks in a church—either in the early Twentieth Century or Bauhaus period. Their simplicity, their out-stretched arms, and their tripartite design all nudged me to imagine them in a sensational (though understated) 1909 […]
I can never buy too many nice trays. Whether brass, copper or quarter-sawn oak—if it can hold a round of drinks, a nice breakfast or a collection of perfume bottles, I want to acquire it. Shown above, an American Arts & Crafts hand-hammered copper tray, circa 1920. Please click on the photo to learn more […]
Manufacturers have always sought ways to keep their names in front of potential purchasers—especially large industrial purchasing agents. Shown above, a cast iron letter rack from the 1880’s. Made for “Diamond K”—which I think was a tool manufacturer (Kreauter?)—this letter holder would be left-behind by a traveling company salesman. Notes, letters or photos could be placed […]
Perhaps your dad’s an Anglophile. How about an early Twentieth Century English brass letterknife? A gallant knight stands at-the-read—exactly as he has since he was cast in brass in the 1910’s or 1920’s ($95). Please come into the shop to see him in person or call us for further information. More nice Father’s Day gift […]
Well before Mad Men, stylish Fathers drank their cocktails in something like this—a hand-hammered and sliver-plated cocktail stem made in the 1910’s. Expressing a bit of the Arts & Crafts and a touch of the Art Deco, this set of six cocktail stems remained en vogue from the Teens ’til World War II (Prohibition excepted, of course). […]
With Father’s Day at the end of the week, I thought we’d share some of our newly-acquired, Dad-appropriate gift items over the next few days. Whether or not your father was (or is) a mailman, he’s sure to appreciate this (very cool) cast iron coin bank from the 1910’s or 1920’s. The original red paint […]
Let’s conclude our parade of European art pottery with something extra-special. From Belgium, during the period which straddles both the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods, comes this superb salt glazed vase by Roger Guerin with a custom-wrought iron mounting, quite probably by François Carion. Salt glazing, which was developed in Germany during the Medieval […]
We probably sell more photo frames than anything else at LEO Design—frames in leather, wood, pewter, gold-leaf, silver-plate and gold-plate. Thus, it’s always a cause for (at least) a little excitement when we find a handsome, new design. Shown above, part of our NYC-made pewter frames in four new designs: (front to back) grosgrain, lion’s claw, […]
A Boy Scout is always prepared—but does he have a vintage trophy? Celebrate the scout (or former scout) with this 1920’s cast spelter statuette modeled by Canadian Renaissance Man Robert Tait McKenzie in 1915. Around its base are inscribed the characteristics which form the ideal Scout: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, […]
From afar off Japan comes this winsome little bear—made of cast iron and dressed in an antique brown finish. He’d serve happily as a paperweight or loyally just standing-guard on your desk. Please come into the shop to see him or call us for additional information. See new merchandise first! Follow […]
At LEO Design we love the King of the Forest—and all things Leonine. But, long before lions ruled, there was another King: the Tyrannosaurus Rex. His name, literally translated, is “Tyrant Lizard King.” He was the apex predator, top of the food chain. At 40 feet long, his long, heavy tail was required to balance […]
Pigs are popular—all things pigs! Shown above, a cast brass piglet, finished with a verdigris bronze patina. He’ll sit happily on your shelf, desk or windowsill—or even in your garden (though he will weather in the out-of-doors elements). Come in and see him—and his “sty mates”—or call us for additional information. See […]
Hand-beaten metals are amongst the hallmarks of the Arts & Crafts aesthetic. The dappled texture—evidence of human artistic involvement—reflects light in a warm and wonderful way. Shown above, part of our collection of hand-hammered copper, each piece raised from a single ingot of the metal. No forms are used. A “lump” of copper is beaten […]
I like Dante. And so do my customers, apparently. I buy just about every pair of Dante bookends I can get my hands on and they continue to sell. Here’s a pair that’s a little different. Instead of the typical dour Medieval Florentine poet, we get an energized—almost sprightly—Dante, leaning forward in his throne. The […]
Are you one of twins? Or just a boy who gave your mother twice the trouble? Perhaps this pair of “Whistling Boy” bookends from the 1920’s will make your mother smile? This winning little street urchin may seem small but he’s pretty tough—certainly tough enough to hold-up your mom’s books. Come into the shop to […]
While all mothers are welcomed at LEO Design, “Leo Moms” always stir-up a little extra enthusiasm. And for just such a mother, how about an Italian cast pewter lion? Hand-made outside of Florence, this King of the Jungle will be happy to reign over your mom’s desktop, bookshelf or mantelpiece. Please come into the shop […]
For “Cat Mothers,” perhaps our (half-sized) Crouching Cat sculpture would do the trick. Made of cast brass and finished with a verdigris bronze patina, this feline is all tension and coiled energy—eyes on the prize, ready to spring! It would look great on a hearthstone, bookshelf or even in the garden (where it will develop […]
With Mother’s Day less than a week away, we’d like to show some great gift ideas for the world’s best Mom. And we’ll start with beautiful photo frames because—after all—what does a mom (or grandmom) appreciate more than another photo of the kids? We stock a very wide range of handsome frames, including those pictured […]
April bids us “Farewell”—or rather this winsome rabbit does. He’s made in Japan of cast zinc and has a Cubist design. He’s part of our large collection of rabbit sculptures—in zinc, bronze, brass and ceramic. Please come into the shop to see him and his warren mates. See new merchandise first! […]
A pair of engaging birds—a warbler and a nuthatch—have alighted at LEO Design this spring. Made in Canada of heavy cast bronze, they’d be happily employed as paperweights or content to just sit around, looking pretty. Please call or come into the shop to see them. See new merchandise first! Follow […]
This pair of recently-acquired bookends ticks several boxes for me: lions, sculpture, bronze, bookends. Beautifully sculpted and crisply cast, they appear to have been little-exposed to the elements—for the bronze is remarkably rosy after all these years. The figure of a confident (yet unpretentious) lion surveying his domain, would be an handsome addition to any […]
Owls have long symbolized Wisdom and Intelligence. The Ancient Greeks associated them with the goddess of knowledge, Athena. And because owls moved silently through the night, they were sometimes associated with mystery or “otherworldliness.” Here a wise owl sits patiently on the pine branch of this American Art Nouveau letter rack, made in the […]
In pubs across England—in the early Twentieth Century—functional brass serviceware was given a “decorative lift” by way of a handsome crocodile embossment. Weary barmaids slung such trays and pitchers back-and-forth, back-and-forth, all night long to tables of increasingly-enthusiastic patrons. And the simple, stamped croco design turned an otherwise utilitarian object into a thing of exotic […]
During World War One, Princess Mary—the only daughter of King George V—made-up little brass boxes, one for each sailor and soldier serving His Majesty, The King. Within each box, the serviceman might find cigarettes, some note paper, a pencil and, perhaps, a bit of chocolate. The embossed cover shows the princess in profile, her royal […]
Three of the United Kingdom’s iconic plant symbols are presented on this English Arts & Crafts hand-tooled brass tray from the turn-of-the-century. Scotland provides the thistle, Ireland the shamrock, and England the Tudor rose. Though entirely functional as a tray or serving piece, one may prefer to hang it from the wall as a splendid […]
Victorian and Edwardian England was enchanted by the East—especially the Far East. The leisure class might take a trip to “The Orient” once in a lifetime. And merchants, like Liberty of London, brought shiploads of Asian ceramics and other artworks to an eager Western consumer. Aesthetes, designers and other tastemakers (like Dr. Christopher Dresser) would […]
I purchased the hand-tooled copper tray, shown above, in England—and, indeed, at first I thought it was English Arts & Crafts. But, as I inspected it, some of the tooling, and the crenelated gallery treatment didn’t seem quite British to me. Then I found a mark on the back with its tell-tale Arabic characters. I’m still not […]
Victorian and Edwardian Englishwomen had an object for every conceivable purpose—including a “pin tray” in which to keep their hair accessories. Thus was “hatched” the rather dour-looking “Cornish Mackerel” pictured above. Made of cast brass in the Teens or Twenties, it would (indeed) be the perfect place to keep hair pins—or rings, collar stays, cufflinks, […]
We’ve just received a shipment from England—a nice collection of metalware including some nice brass and copper trays. Over the next few days, I’ll show you select pieces from the new collection. Shown above, an English brass tray—about the size of a pie plate—with a hand-hammered Arts & Crafts stylized botanical motif. Very often the […]
The Germans didn’t have a monopoly on crafted brass trays. Shown above, an English Arts & Crafts brass tray, embellished with a scrolling “whiplash” decoration. Imagine it in the breakfast room of a handsome Edwardian home—across the English channel from Continental Europe. Made by Joseph Sankey and Sons, it has two brass handles and six […]
From the Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik—more-easily referred to as WMF—comes this handsome and useful brass tray from the early Twentieth Century. Hand-hammered of brass, it measures nearly 18″ across and bears the classic WMF ostrich mark showing that it was made between 1909 and 1914 for the French market. It is a nice example of German Jugendstil […]
For millennia, the oil lamp has been a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. How appropriate, then, that such a lamp should keep-straight your favorite books on your bookshelf, desk or credenza. Made in the 1920’s or 1930’s, they have a classic simplicity befitting simple wisdom. Please come into the shop to see them or click […]
A somewhat youthful Dante Alighieri, the grand master of Italian letters, is captured in a thoughtful mood—presiding from his seat of knowledge. Nicely sculpted, then bronze-clad and hand-painted, they will bring a touch of culture and class to any library, study or office ($395). Please call for more information or come into the shop to […]
After (seemingly endless) months of campaigning, boasting and (yes, sometimes) lying, the candidates vying for the White House will get their first dose of “meaningful feedback” tomorrow as the Iowa Caucuses finally take place. Why a small number of people in a handful of small towns in a couple of small states should have such […]
I love bookends and I am always intrigued with early Native American themes—which makes the pair of hard-to-find bookends, pictured above, just perfect. A mounted Indian completes the coup de grâce on his charging quarry. Nicely sculpted, then cast and bronze clad, they would look great in any library, office or Arts & Crafts home. […]
The 1920’s—the period in which these sculptures were made—was “The Golden Age” of bookends. The decade also anchored the golden age of American skyscraper building. The War was over, the country was modernizing, and fantastic possibility awaited around every corner (until 1929, of course). These bronze-clad bookends capture the romantic spirit of physical creation—communicated in […]
Recently though our door: a trumpeting cast spelter elephant. On his back, a little removable “pagoda” under which one can place a cone of incense. He was made in Japan in the 1920’s or 1930’s ($175). Please come into the shop to see him or call us for more information.
I’m on-the-road this week, replenishing the shop after a busy Holiday season. One of my new finds is the trio of British tin elephants, shown above. Made in England in the 1930’s, they were likely part of some child’s circus menagerie—during those special years between the wars. They are nicely cast, hand-painted, and have the […]
I’ve had one pair of these bookends before and I am very happy to have found another one. Inspired by an 1864 photo by pioneering portraitist Matthew Brady, these bookends were specially commissioned by the New York Decorative Arts League and sculpted in 1922 by artist Olga Popoff Muller. They capture a quiet, intimate moment of […]
Silent, perhaps. Nevertheless, these bronze-clad bookends will make a statement! Made in the Twenties or Thirties by the Marion Bronze workshop in Metuchen, New Jersey, they depict a mounted knight, tense with anticipation, astride his eager steed—both ready for the charge. Lance in-hand, he will add a touch of romantic, Medieval style to your office, […]
Don Quijote de la Mancha follows the muddled pursuits of our hapless romantic hero, a man who calls himself Don Quixote. One part extreme romantic, another part “crazy old coot,” Quixote is an icon of Western literature—and the leading character in what many consider amongst of the greatest books ever written. Published in two volumes […]
Said ancient Greek poet Archilochus (680 – 645 BC), “A fox knows many things, but a hedgehog one important thing.” Some 2,600 years later, Latvian-British philosopher and Oxford scholar Isaiah Berlin (1909 – 1997) published a treatise expanding upon this notion. In a nutshell, thinkers and writers fell into one of two camps: “foxes” who […]
Another cheery “bauble”—nice at Christmas or any time. In 1909, German tinsmith Johann Übelacker opened a pewter-smithing workshop in Ransbach-Baumbach (half-way between Frankfurt and Cologne). Johann began experimenting with mounting pewter upon ceramic forms—as was done with traditional German beer steins—and he enjoyed some success. After World War II, Übelacker Keramic was well-positioned to exploit […]
Wishing a Happy Hanukkah to all—and a joyful Holiday Season! As we rush-about our ever-busy lives, let’s endeavor to enjoy a few quiet, focused moments with those we love. Hanukkah begins tonight—at sundown—and ends Monday evening, eight days from now. The Cypress Tree Menorah, pictured above, is cast of solid bronze in Canada. Please click […]
Although I don’t smoke (and I don’t like smoking), I love the accoutrement of the pernicious practice—ashtrays, smoking stands, humidors and tobacco jars like the one shown above. I’ve sold many tobacco jars over the years and I can safely say, this is one of the nicest I’ve ever acquired. Made around 1910, the faceted, […]
Arthur and Marion France of Metuchen, New Jersey, operated a “Galvano Bronzing” workshop in 1922 behind their Garden State home. They named it “Marion Bronze.” Until 1958, they produced bronze-clad bookends, doorstops, lamp bases and other sculpture, including the red-robed monk bookends, pictured above. First the underforms were cast in what the company called “Cerama-Stone” […]
Charles Dickens was born on 7 February 1812. As a young boy, he was forced to leave school—and sent to work in a London factory—after his father was locked-away in a debtors’ prison. The second oldest of eight children, young Charles had to help support his family while his father, mother and youngest siblings remained […]
Just alighted: this pair of handsome, hand-hammered steel Austrian Secessionist bookends—in the form of a wise (but friendly) little owl. Cut, riveted and hammered by-hand, the flat tongue slides under your row of books, keeping your tomes upright. And while they would look great in a rustic, country home, they would look equally at-home perched […]
Call me loyal. For the past twenty years, I’ve carried but one line of silver-plated photo frames—hand-made outside of Florence, Italy. When the workshop closed, two years ago, I immediately began the hunt for a replacement source. But finding the perfect vendor was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be—and it took […]
On this day—four or five years ago—I found myself in a London Waitrose supermarket, late in the morning. At 11 o’clock, precisely, a very serious-sounding manager came over the loudspeaker, asking us shoppers to observe two minutes of silence. It was my first acquaintance with the rituals of Armistice Day—which commemorates the 1918 end of World […]
Veritas—or “Truth”—is the straightforward wording etched upon the Harvard crest (shown on the pair of bookends, above). Alas, the history of this crest is not quite as simple. Harvard College was founded in 1636 by the “Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Company,” with the express intention of educating men for the ministry. […]
Let’s conclude our short procession of beautiful, hand-wrought trays with this American Arts & Crafts beauty made by Meriden (Connecticut). Though understated in its design, the tray is elevated to the sublime with a pattern of soft, all-over hand-hammering. And, while this smallish tray can carry six to twelve glasses (whether coupes, highballs or cordials), […]
Another brass tray—from another part of the world—is every bit as handsome as yesterday’s example (in its very different way). Hand-hammered of brass by the Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF) in Geislingen an der Steige, Germany, circa 1910, it typifies handsome German Jugendstil—the Art Nouveau Movement of Germany. It’s not large; perfect for 8-10 sherry glasses, or […]
Hours of hand-tooling culminate in this handsome and substantial tray—probably hand-made in Morocco. While I am not an expert in North African or Middle Eastern metalwork, I do recognize beautiful tooling when I see it. A beaming geometric pattern radiates outwards from the center of this 17.5 inch tray. Along the perimeter, a row of sculptural […]
A pair of bronze-clad buffalo charge-forward—a thunderous stampede of two. Strikingly-styled, they capture the explosive power of the wild beast which once roamed the American Prairie. Alas, one of the pair is inconspicuously flawed—though as aesthetically perfect and functionally useful as his pair mate (and substantially price-reduced as a result). Please come into the shop […]
Today—at 4:21 am Eastern Time—Summer will turn to Fall. And today we’ll experience the Autumnal Equinox—one of two days in the year when the lengths of night and day are the same. The equinox (“equal night”) is the point when the sun crosses the equator (in this case, from North to South). As the sun […]
Shakespeare, arguably the world’s greatest writer (ever and ever), is here paired with Longfellow, one of America’s greatest scribes. Their contributions to this pair of handsome and heavy cast iron bookends (made in the 1920’s or 1930’s) are quotes, both pertaining to the joys and benefits of reading. Shakespeare’s quote, from Love’s Labour’s Lost (Act […]
The Twenties: Jazz Age, Modernism, Industry. These bookends capture their times perfectly. Made of cast iron, a sculpted, Cubist male figure dances dramatically on this pair of Art Deco bookends. Please come see them in-store—alongside dozens of other interesting bookends—or click on the photo above to learn more about these.
On this day in 1871, aviation pioneer Orville Wright was born in Dayton, Ohio. Sixty-eight years later, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed a proclamation making this day National Aviation Day—a day dedicated to educating American citizens about aviation and promoting an interest in the subject. The plane above, crafted of cast aluminum, was inspired by […]
