No—from the other Saint Petersburg! Florida! A cast spelter Pelican opens his bill to hold your keys, coins, or cigarette ashes. A delightful souvenir from 1960’s Florida—and sure to be a conversation piece in your office, kitchen or at the doorway. Perfect for holding paperclips. ($95). Please come into the shop to see him or […]
Today is World Elephant Day, dedicated to promoting knowledge of elephants and educating the public about the plight of these majestic, endangered creatures. The annual event strives to reduce poaching, eliminate the trade of elephant ivory, and promote better care and management of Asian and African elephants—in captivity and in the wild. Wild elephant populations […]
On this day in 1675, by order of King Charles II, the cornerstone was laid for the Royal Greenwich Observatory—an institution which would provide tremendous scholarship and advancement in the fields of astronomy and navigation. Greenwich, on the River Thames (just outside of London), has long been associated with maritime activities. Bustling docks and a […]
On this day in 1886, Liszt Ferencz (known in the West as “Franz Liszt”) died of pneumonia in Bayreuth, Germany—home of the famous Wagner Music Festival. Liszt was a prolific composer, one who had an influence on the following century’s great composers, and he was considered, in his day, to be the world’s greatest pianist. […]
Let’s end our Back-to-School “procession” of bookends with this regal and handsome pair, from the 1920’s—newly-acquired by LEO Design. The worldwide Arts & Crafts movement (which was practiced in many Western countries and is referred to by various, regional names) often used decorative motifs or themes from local or national historical and mythological lore. The […]
Book lovers love bookends. They also love the quotes of the great writers—past and present. This pair of bookends, made in America in the 1920’s or 1930’s, share the quotes of two great English wordsmiths, Sir Francis Bacon and Samuel Johnson. Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626) was a philosopher, statesman, jurist, orator, essayist and author—and, […]
We’ve just acquired this handsome pair of cast iron Teddy Roosevelt bookends, certain to upgrade any “trophy room” regardless how grand. What a coincidence that Theodore Roosevelt’s home, on Oyster Bay, Long Island, has just reopened after a comprehensive renovation. In 1880, at the tender age of 22, Theodore Roosevelt purchased a 150 acre parcel […]
Alexander Pope and Andrew Young were both British poets—the former an Englishman, the latter a Scotsman—and both men were influential in their times. Pope (1688 – 1744) had a difficult early life. As a Catholic, he was not allowed to go to school (due to the English “Test Acts” which banned Catholics from teaching, attending […]
If we’re to learn “The Riddle of the Sphinx” it won’t be from this pair! They maintain a placid silence, gazing-out at things (perhaps?) beyond our understanding. They will, however, hold-up your books with loyalty and a great deal of style. Made in the 1920’s or 1930’s—a time when both Art Deco and Egyptology were […]
With summer vacation in the home stretch, I turn my attention to the Fall—back-to-school, books, and bookends. I love collecting bookends. Perhaps it’s because I love books so much. Anyway, I’ve just purchased several nice pairs of vintage bookends, mostly from the 1920’s and 1930’s. Over the next few days I’ll share a few of […]
King Charles VII had a problem. He had been King of France for seven years and had not yet been crowned. France was in the 92nd year of the “Hundred Years War” with England—a war which, by the way, lasted 116 years (1337 – 1453). The Cathedral at Reims was the traditional and proper site […]
On this day in 1884, in the Russian city of Minsk (now Belarus), Lazar Meir was born. If only those around him knew how very much his life would change over the next seven decades—and how much little Lazar would influence a country an ocean away, all the while changing the rest of the world. […]
In 1885, nine year old Joseph Meister of Schlestadt (Eastern France, near the German border) was bitten savagely by a rabid dog. On this day of that year, fellow Frenchman, Louis Pasteur—who was a laboratory scientist, not a medical doctor—administered his unproven rabies vaccine on the boy. Not only might the vaccine have harmed the […]
On this day in 1915, Philadelphia’s famous “Liberty Bell” set-out on its last tour. More about this later… The bell was cast in London in 1752 by Lester & Reed, a bell foundry. It arrived in Philly that August and, as the steeple was not yet finished, the bell was hung on a small scaffold […]
The Globe was a theatre in Elizabethan London, built by William Shakespeare and his company of co-investors (called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men). Shakespeare owned a 12.5% share. The theatre’s opening production, in 1599, was either the premier of Henry V or Julius Caesar, depending upon whom you believe. Much of the lumber used to build […]
Over the years, I’ve acquired boxes similar to the one shown above. They’ve always been French, hand-tooled pewter and, usually, they’re signed. Something about this box seemed a little different, though. For one thing, the design is strongly Secessionist, indicating that it might be Viennese (or Austro-Hungarian). Furthermore, the artist’s signature is apparent but indistinct—I […]
There’s nothing like an ice cold beer on a hot day, after work. With this solid brass bottle opener, you’ll help Dad “crack a cold one” in style—and remind him he’s earned it. Made in Milwaukee, this durable tool is a little bit industrial, a little bit sculptural. And a great little gift for Father’s […]
Princess Mary, 17 year-old daughter of King George V, wanted to do something special for British troops wearing the country’s uniform during the Christmas of 1914—the first winter of World War I. She organized a funds drive by which every serviceman, nurse, and widow (or parent) of those killed in action would receive a special […]
For the American Arts & Crafts devotee, Roycroft metalworks are amongst the most coveted of shop marks. Above, find a pair of hand-hammered copper bookends finished with the Roycroft “Old Brass” patina. These bookends are simple, elegant, and earnestly Arts & Crafts—and a terrific Father’s Day gift possibility for the discriminating Dad. Please come into […]
If Boston Terriers aren’t your Dad’s thing, would a pair of German Shepherds do the trick? Made of cast iron in the 1920’s, these handsome bookends will prove very useful—and terrifically loyal. Please come visit the shop to see them in-person or click on the photo to learn more about them. More Father’s Day gift […]
For the past couple of weeks, we’ve been showing great Father’s Day gift ideas. Over the next several days, we’d like to share some of our newly-acquired bookends—always a handsome and practical gift. Shown above, a pair of cast iron bookends in the form of a sprightly Boston Terrier. Finished with a golden wash, they […]
John Ruhl always wanted to be an artist. Throughout his childhood, his parents—German immigrants who ran a shoe store—tried desperately to dissuade him from his calling. Upon his graduation from the NYC public school system, they insisted he accept an offer to work as a clerk in an insurance company—a job he loathed. While working, […]
How often has Dad encouraged us with words of wisdom? Let’s leave the month of May with some inspiring words for Dad: “Seize the Day!” Made of sand-cast pewter in Italy, this hand-crafted little box boldly proclaims the Latin “Carpe Diem” from the top of its hinged lid. About the size of a deck of […]
Sand-cast in Tuscany, this Italian pewter box bears a twelve point rack of antlers on its hinged lid. Great for holding cufflinks, cigarettes, or any manner of desk, dresser or bedside accoutrement. Its soft-rectangular shape is simultaneously gently modern and old-school. I can envision Burt Lancaster picking-up this box from the fireplace mantelpiece in Visconti’s masterpiece “The Leopard.” […]
Father’s Day is one month from today. Over the course of four weeks, I’d like to present some “Handsome Gifts” suitable for Father’s Day gift-giving. Let’s start with this handsome pair of “T.R.” bookends from the early 20th Century. As a boy, not much was expected of Theodore Roosevelt. He was a sickly child, more […]
On my buying trip last week, I assembled this small collection of desk bells—always a good-seller at LEO Design. Made in the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries, they would have lived atop shop counters and hotel desks. Mostly brass, some of them have cast iron bases ($125 – $165). Please come into the shop […]
As I wend my way through New England, finding great, new items for the shop, I’ve put-together a collection of heavy, industrial tape dispensers, pictured above. Designed and made in the Art Deco 1930’s, they are made of heavy cast iron and were usually found in factories, workshops or sales counters. Because of their substantial weight, […]
For the next several days, I’ll be on the road—hunting for “Handsome Gifts” throughout New England. Kismet plays a role, of course, but I will keep an eye open for great Father’s Day gift ideas—like the “find” pictured above: a pair of hand-hammered copper Roycroft bookends, finished in their “Old Brass” patina. Simple, elegant, and stylish, […]
We have a nice collection of handcrafted Japanese cast-zinc vases. Though they are contemporary, they are made in a centuries-old foundry in Japan. Each piece is cast in zinc, hand-chased (that is, cleaned-up), hand-finished, baked, hand-finished (again), baked (again), then hand-finished for the final time. Zinc, a component element of bronze, is known for its […]
The German Shepherd—or The German Shepherd Dog, when called by its full, official title—is a working dog, bred for its intelligence, strength and stamina. Originally they were used for herding and protecting sheep in Germany. Due to their intelligence, curiosity, obedience and good temper, they have become popular for many other kinds of work—including police […]
Galahad was amongst the greatest of the Great Knights—a gallant so holy of spirit and pure of heart that God had granted him much favor. As a young man, Sir Galahad was brought to King Arthur’s court at Camelot by his father, the great knight Lancelot. Once there, the young Galahad is lead to the […]
On this day in 1912, American aviatrix Harriet Quimby flew from Dover, England to Calais, France—making her the first woman to fly across the English Channel. Alas, she achieved little recognition; her accomplishment was overshadowed by reports of the RMS Titanic which had sunk the previous day. Quimby was born in a Michigan farmhouse in […]
On this day in 1755, Englishman Samuel Johnson published Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language—amongst the great achievements of British scholarship. “Doctor Johnson,” as he was called, had been commissioned by a group of London booksellers to produce a definitive English dictionary—so unsatisfying were the existing options. He claimed the task would take him […]
A Joyous Easter to those who celebrate it—and a Spring season of gentle warmth and growing happiness to all. Shown above, a polished brass rabbit, handcrafted in Japan. You may see him in-shop, alongside a small menagerie of other whimsical, Modernist creatures. LEO Design will be open today from Noon ’till 6:00 pm. Please hop […]
We end our little tour of antique mirrors with this handsome English Arts & Crafts offering. Copper is hammered with a meandering poppy decoration resulting in a mirror that is functional as well as artful. Poppies—wild flowers from which one can extract a narcotic sedative—are associated with rest or sleep. In some places, the poppy […]
From 1920’s France, an iron-framed Art Deco mirror. The mirror has a crisp, machine-inspired angularity, with just a little spray of flowers at the top—a small nod to the previous Art Nouveau or Secessionist schools. Imagine this over an Art Deco sideboard, laden with crystal decanters, awaiting Nick and Nora Charles! Please come by the […]
Like yesterday’s mirror, this one also was made in Victorian England. It “reflects” a more-formal, more-refined English Arts & Crafts aesthetic. The brass surround is hand-hammered with a lush floral repoussé treatment—the result of hours of a craftsman’s labor. Perfect for a powder room, in a dining room, or beside the front door (for a […]
Another of our new Japanese brass creatures is this Happy Hippo. She stands on four pointed feet, contemplating her good fortune. She joins her other Japanese brass mates—Rabbit, Pig, and Kitty. $165 each.
We’ve just received a small collection—a menagerie—of handsome and stylish Japanese brass animals. First they are cast in heavy brass, then laboriously hand-finished, resulting in sleek lines and a mirror finish. Perfect as a paperweight, a shelf decoration, or just a nice thing to pick-up and handle, any one of the four animals would make […]
A pair of pampered Pekingese pooches (perched on pillows) pose playfully in this pair of cast iron bookends from the 1920’s or 1930’s. Just received, these hard-to-find bookends have joined our collection of handsome dog bookends. Please come visit them in the shop; they’re eagerly awaiting adoption. Or click on the photo above to learn […]
Need a patient (and quiet) fellow to hold your books? Perhaps these cast iron Japanese owl bookends will fit the task. Designed in an elegant Modernist manner, the metal is finished with a rustic brown patina. Click on the photo above to learn more about them or visit the shop in-person and see them “in-the-flesh.” […]
Yesterday we looked-at a set of silver-plated cocktail stems, delicately hammered. Today it’s a copper tray, hammered a bit more rustically. A hammered surface on metal adds the warming touch of human craftsmanship and allows the artisan’s handwork to provide all the necessary decoration. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this […]
“In the old days” a silversmith never left hammering marks on a piece of wrought silver—it would be considered a crude indicator of poor craftsmanship. Instead, a metal smith would laboriously hammer-away at the piece, using increasingly smaller hammer “peens,” until a smooth, mirror-like surface remained. Think of Copley’s portrait of Paul Revere, inspecting his […]
Notre-Dame de Reims, or “Our Lady of Reims” (90 miles East of Paris), is amongst the most important cathedrals in Europe. Built on the site of an ancient Roman baths, it replaces an earlier basilica (built around 400 AD) which was destroyed by fire in 1211. Rebuilding of the “new” cathedral—that which we see today—began […]
Truly an American Renaissance Man, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1809. A precocious boy, he was educated at Phillips Academy, Harvard College and (after studying law for a time) received his medical training in Paris. Back in the States, he taught in the medical schools of Dartmouth and Harvard, eventually […]
To cleanse the palate after days of highly-decorated objets, let’s look at a simple and useful item: an Arts & Crafts hand-hammered, silver-plated serving tray. Finding them pragmatic, I buy (and sell) as many nice trays as I can find. This one, made in the 1910’s, is quite handy being long yet narrow. Please click […]
Though Winter has only just begun, can one be blamed for looking-forward to Spring? And, to help us, a French Art Nouveau pewter dresser box with a repoussé spray of carnation blossoms. Made in the early Twentieth Century, it is signed E. Mérey and was likely used on a period dressing table. It’s the perfect […]
A set of hammered, silver-plated stems—made in Meriden, Connecticut in the teens or twenties—will provide just the right “clink” at midnight. They are part of a large selection of champagne coupes, cocktail stems, and wine glasses now in-store at LEO Design. Please come into the shop to see the full assortment—including newly-acquired examples collected on […]
Perhaps it’s a bit too late to store your outgoing Christmas cards here—but this would be a beautiful place to keep the cards you’ve received! This English Arts & Crafts letter rack, made of oak and decorated with hand-tooled brass panels, depicts a fire-breathing, winged dragon and a spray of stylized flowers and foliage. A […]
Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah—and a wonderful Holiday Season. Thank you for letting LEO Design play a role in your Holiday celebration. Shown above, a finely-cast bronze menorah. Please come see it in the shop or click on the photo above to learn more about it. For the Holidays, LEO Design is now open from […]
I always feel a bit like Santa Claus when I get back to the shop from an overseas buying trip. Laden with too many, heavy bags, it’s always a comfort to put them down on my familiar shop floor. The staff enjoys unpacking and inspecting what I’ve found—often making note of which LEO Design customer […]
All right, so they aren’t the jolliest of Handsome Gifts, but they would be welcomed—and useful!—in your home during the Holidays. I’ve bought a handful of trays on this trip, two of them shown in the photo above. The first, on top, is hammered from a single sheet of copper. Sensuous corners lead to rolled […]
Amongst the nicest photo frames I’ve ever had, this English Arts & Crafts beauty is crafted of a heavy piece of hand-hammered copper mounted to a thick piece of quarter-sawn oak. A pair of willowy repoussé tulips frame the central photo. Truly a terrific piece of Arts & Crafts decorative objets—it surely won’t be in-store […]
By now the turkey is consumed, the guests are gone, and the need for a big, groaning butler’s tray is over. Perfect timing for this smallish brass tray. Made in Secessionist Vienna, it is a “soft-rectangle,” gently hand-hammered, and decorated with a linear graphic design. Perfectly-sized for a few drinks or to stage the bottles […]
Let’s conclude our “little parade” of newly-acquired antique frames with this (slightly flamboyant) English Arts & Crafts offering. Made around the turn-of-the-century, it required quite a bit of craftsman’s skill to cut away all of the negative space in the scrolling, stylized botanical decoration. Made of brass, it is stately and naturalistic—ideal for bringing a […]
While the world was being torn-apart by The Great War, it was also getting smaller. “Orientalism”—and a fascination with the East—had been the rage in Western Europe for the past several decades. And now, thanks to modern transport, increased trade, and a growing upper middle class, some people were able to indulge their fantasy of […]
Finding small, antique photo frames is hard enough (not to mention costly). So it is with excitement that I came across this large picture frame on my last trip to England. It is commodious enough to hold one of today’s popular-sized photos and is sizable enough to make a classy statement. Please click on the […]
The teens in England were not all doom and gloom. People met, they engaged, they fell in love—as they always have and always will. Photos were taken and photo frames were needed to preserve and display them. The frame above—part of our new collection of antique frames—would have been used to house a treasured photo […]
2014 marks the Centenary of the start of World War I. Four years from today, we’ll mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. “The Great War”, as it was called, introduced unprecedented horror and massive casualties—due, in part, to the use of new technology to maim and kill the enemy. Very few families escaped the […]
A pair of late-Victorian English silver-plated Aesthetic Movement nutcrackers—presented in a beautifully-lined gift box. Though made in the 1880’s, they appear to have not had much use in their 130 years. These are but one example of the many newly-acquired “Handsome Gifts” I’ve been collecting and stocking of late. As the Holidays approach, I will […]
A most handsome pair of candlesticks—just received in-store, just in time for your holiday table. Made of “bell metal” bronze in Napoleon III’s France, they are substantial, a bit oversized, and very elegant (without being fussy). Please come into the shop to see them—and several more pairs of handsome, newly-acquired candlesticks. Or click on the […]
After traveling all the way to England, I found this lovely little creamer—from 19th Century America! Silver-plated and decorated with a stylized botanical Aesthetic Movement pattern, this little pitcher would be lovely serving wine, hot custard, or milk—as it was originally intended. How appropriate that I should end my overseas trip—returning from my stay in […]
From Late Victorian England, a cast iron Aesthetic Movement money box, circa 1890. Behind it stands a much more modern West German vase, circa 1960. What ties them together? Both pieces are inspired by earlier Asian design. When interpreted (and modified) by Western artists, Asian design is called “Orientalism”—a movement very popular in the late […]
From Arts & Crafts England, a little musical jewel box and a hand-hammered brass tray. The music box, made in the 1920’s or 30’s, is crafted in the form of a planked trunk. It plays Irving Berlin’s popular tune, “Always”, which he wrote and gave as a wedding gift to his bride, Ellin McKay—along with […]
The English Arts & Crafts Movement—like its counterparts in other parts of the world—drew inspiration from the culture, mythology and aesthetics of the past. Gothic strap work, medieval characters, ancient heraldry all became sources for design inspiration for turn-of-the-century craftsmen. In the example above—a handsome pair of oak barley twist candlesticks with hammered pewter bases—the […]
Shown above, a Late-Victorian English Steel Hat Box, circa 1880′ or 1890’s. Durable, functional, and aged with a beautiful patina, this container would have been used to protect a delicate hat—probably during carriage travel. Today it could be used for storage or to house anything from dog food to magazines to fireplace kindling. This handsome, […]
Perhaps the nicest pair of bookends I’ve ever bought! Certainly my favorite. English Arts & Crafts, circa 1900, of studded, hand-tooled brass set with blue ceramic cabochons. By my account, they’re sublime. Please come see them in the shop. All new purchases should be in-store by the end of October. More from the road tomorrow.
I’ve assembled a nice little collection of handsome brass candlesticks—from mid-19th century France and England. The three pairs shown above are just a bit bigger than average and would look equally at-home on a rustic farm table or at a sophisticated townhouse supper spread. Please come into the shop to see them and the rest […]
And now for a change of pace: behold this lovely pair of French Art Deco bookends, pictured above. Made in the 1930’s and signed “Gallot”, the deer are sculpted in spelter, treated with a verdigris bronze finish, and mounted upon black marble bases. Handsome, stylish and useful! These are just a small part of my recent acquisitions, purchased […]
Like the photo frames shown yesterday, these handsome desk accessories are made of finely-cast pewter, plated with 24 karat gold, enameled, and decorated with hand-set Swarovski crystals. Made by jeweler Edgar Berebi in Providence, Rhode Island, this magnifying glass and letter knife will prove useful—while adding a measure of good taste to your office or […]
Something new: beautifully-crafted, lathe-turned brass tops in three different designs. A solid block of heavy brass is mounted to a lathe, spun, and “carved-down” into the shapes shown above. Modern, yes, though definitely classic. The quality and craftsmanship is immediately apparent the moment one of the tops is picked-up and handled. With a little practice, […]
For centuries, books—their preservation and their duplication—were the commission of the Church and the clergy. Countless monks spent countless hours bent over tables copying and decorating precious tomes. Once the Western printing press was invented (c. 1450), which made books much less-expensive and available to a much-wider audience, the laborious craft of the monk-scribe became […]
As we build-up our inventories for the Holidays, I’m always on the look-out for beautiful and interesting bookends. They make the perfect gift—handsome, useful, and everlasting. New Yorkers love books and, thus, they love bookends. With this in mind, I’ve purchased a new collection of bookends which I’d like to share with you over the next […]
Let’s close-out with another look at our NYC-made frames—this time in their original pewter finish. Pewter—an alloy of tin, copper, antimony and (in this case) a touch of silver—is cast in a foundry in Queens, New York. Burrs and other irregularities are then hand-chased (cleaned-off) before the frames are polished and mounted with glass and […]
In the ancient sand-cast method, an object to be duplicated is pushed-down into a tray of sand, leaving a crude (but serviceable) mold for casting. Then, molten metal—be it bronze, iron or brass—is poured into the impression which, when it cools, is removed, cleaned-up, and polished. Mankind has been using this technique at least since […]
Photo frames are a significant part of our “Handsome Gifts” business, especially when new babies or the newly-married are involved. The photo above shows some of our new styles, recently-received in store. These frames—made right here in New York City!—are cast in pewter, hand-chased (cleaned-up), and then plated in 22 karat gold. They come in […]
Finally, we wrap-up (almost) a week of hand-crafted Arts & Crafts trays and plates. Copper or brass, silver-plated or un-adorned, each, in its way, reflects a different aspect of the International Art Nouveau Movement. We end with the tray above—English Arts & Crafts circa 1910—which is hand-hammered and tooled with a scrolling Ivy decoration. […]
Another hand-crafted Arts & Crafts tray is this sweet copper rendition, designed in an “oval spiked quatrefoil” form. Made in Edwardian England right around the turn-of-the-century, it references the Medieval Gothic—one of the many historical and cultural touchstones used by British Arts & Crafts designers. It has a “churchy” feeling without being dour or too […]
Throughout the worldwide Arts & Crafts movement, one of the defining characteristics of the style is the reliance on the crafted material to provide a significant portion of the work’s aesthetic appeal. On a copper plate, the hammered texture of the copper becomes the decoration. On an oak fireplace mantel, the wood’s grain provides the […]
Like the Norwegian copper plate presented yesterday, this one is also from the early Twentieth Century. It is English Arts & Crafts and the hand-hammered repoussé work takes the form of a border of scrolling grape vines—complete with leaves and clusters of fruit. First crafted in brass, then silver-plated, parts of the underlying metal have […]
I only knew one thing about this little copper plate when I discovered it: I loved it! A little sleuthing uncovered that it’s Arts & Crafts from Scandinavia—Norway to be precise. Designers and craftsmen throughout the world-wide Art Nouveau Movement often revived (and adapted) ancient historical and cultural references from their specific cultures. The […]
The star sign, Leo, continues into August; what better time to present this recently-acquired pair of bookends? Cast in iron and finished with a bronzed patina, the well-executed bas relief shows a resting male lion in profile. It is framed in a crisp, Art Deco frame. Part of our new assortment of just-received bookends—and another great […]
While many people consider the 18th Century the high water mark of design—the age of science, enlightenment and democracy—I seem to take a contrarian view. In terms of architecture, painting and the decorative arts, the 18th Century is my least favorite period I like what came before it (The Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, Elizabethan, Jacobean and Renaissance) […]
Beautifully modeled and crisply cast, these cast iron bookends capture the pitching and swaying of a Viking ship as it sets-out across roiling seas. Adventurous and romantic—in an old world way— these bookends might inspire a youngster’s dream of adventure (or an adult’s memory of youthful dreams of adventure). These bookends are just a part […]
We continue our introduction of recently-acquired bookends with a trip to the American Prairie. The bookends above, cast in iron in the 1930’s, show an American Bison surveying his domain from atop a bluff. Vast herds of these beasts once roamed the American West; imagine the trembling ground, the rising dust, and the deafening roar […]
We’ve recently purchased a nice collection of vintage bookends which can now be seen in-store. Over the next few days we’ll show some of them here in the journal. They’ll also be added to the on-line shop as we are able to clean, price, and photograph them. The pair above, cast in bronze, show an […]
Today’s the day! For one, the sun enters LEO, making today the first day of that (glorious) sun sign. Secondly, today marks the one year anniversary of our new, improved website (which you’re looking at). And three, it’s my birthday! The lion above, emerging from his jungle hideaway, is part of pair of “Wildcats” bookends […]
On this day in 1789, French revolutionaries stormed and captured the 14th century Paris fortress called the Bastille Saint-Antoine. Long used as a prison by the kings of France, the citadel was a potent symbol of the monarchy’s dominance. Once captured, its name became a rallying cry for the rag-tag revolutionaries. To this day, 14 […]
Henry Hudson was an English explorer who, at different times, worked for English or Dutch merchants, attempting to find them a shorter trade route to Asia. The elusive “Northwest Passage”—an Arctic Circle seaway which could link Europe and the Orient—was believed to exist, though had not yet been discovered by European seamen. Henry Hudson made […]
Prepared or not, the Twentieth Football World Cup begins today in São Paulo, Brazil! In the opening match (today at 4:00 pm Eastern Time), Croatia faces the host country, Brazil, in the new Arena de São Paulo—an arena so new, in fact, that it has never been tested with a capacity crowd. And, if that […]
On this day in 1926, Irwin Allen Ginsberg was born in Newark, NJ. Precocious, an ideologue, and facile with words, the teenaged boy would write letters to the New York Times on the hot topics of the day: World War II and Labor issues. At Columbia University, Allen befriended a group of like-minded men—Lucien Carr, […]
On this day in 1904, Peter Johann Weißmüller was born in Freidorf, then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (and now in Romania). When he was seven months of age, his family moved to the U.S. and, after a period in Pennsylvania, settled in Chicago. At nine, young Peter contracted polio, and, at the advice […]
I’ve just received a collection of new (vintage) bookends: elephants, horses, and dogs—like the cast iron Terriers, pictured above. Made in the late 1920’s, they capture nicely the square muzzle, wiry coat, and the alert stance of the popular sporting dog. They stand atop an Art Deco base and stand ready to hold-up your collection […]
Is it just me or is it getting warm around here? It seems a few minutes ago we were complaining about the endless winter! Above, a newly-acquired piece: a bronze Modernist sculpture of a male nude, pulling his shirt over his head. One can see (faintly) the impression of his face as his knitted tee […]
When I was a boy, growing-up in Hawaii, my father would commemorate Boys’ Day each 5 May by running two Japanese carp flags up the flagpole—a big red and white one (for me) and a smaller black and white one (for my younger brother). Boys’ Day! It made me feel so important! I am (a […]
On this day in 1789, at about noon, a spiffy George Washington emerged from his New York City home. He lived at One Cherry Street, near the East River. He was dressed in a dark brown (American made!) wool suit, white silk stockings, and a dark red overcoat. Light glinted off the shiney silver buckles […]
Happy Easter from LEO Design! The shop will be open today from Noon ’till 6:00 pm. Come in to visit our collection of sculpted bunnies and cast bronze nest of eggs.
Today is the International Day for Monuments and Sites, established by UNESCO in 1983. It’s a day on which humanity’s cultural diversity (and its vulnerability) is promoted, protected and conserved. Though we often don’t think about it, monuments and cultural sites teach us the history of the world’s human experiences. Such places transmit the values, […]
In some years, today’s the first day of Spring. In Poland, students celebrate the day by—skipping school? Yes, it’s Truant’s Day! The little boy, pictured above, may or may not be missing class. He was sculpted by a Polish artist however, Vaclav Szczeblewski. And whether Mr. Szczeblewski ever skipped school, I can’t say. Apparently, he […]
By the mid 1920’s, with the horrors of The War in the past, the world was ready for a new, fashionable “look.” Streamlined, modern, forward-looking, Art Deco was perfectly-suited to industrial mass production. And it was very popular. Everything from skyscrapers to toasters to automobiles were designed in the new, “machine age” fashion. Whereas Arts & Crafts […]
