While we sweat through The Dog Days of Summer, let's not forget: the Fall will be upon us shortly. Here are a few handsome canines—now in-stock at LEO Design—which will bring a little cool for the next few weeks. Bring a little touch of shooting party "Downton Chic" to your office, mantelpiece or bookshelf—while sparing the birds. This pair of "Hunting Bird Dogs" bookends, made in the 1920's, will hold-up your books loyally. Click on the photo above to learn more about them. More "Dogs of Summer" tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be...
I don't know about you, but I need a little Christmas right now! And, so, it was fortuitous that I happened to unpack another box of merchandise from our Village shop—and out-popped this cast pewter Christmas ornament! It will happily hang on your tree (or window latch), it could stand on your desk (or mantelpiece) and it could even be pressed into service as a jolly candlesnuffer. Click on the photo above to learn a bit more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla &...
John Ruhl (1873-1940) always knew he wanted to be an artist. His hardworking German father—who ran a shoe shop—discouraged his son's dream at every turn. Instead, 14 year old John was compelled to take a clerkship in an insurance office. The next year, John began taking art classes at the Metropolitan Museum where he entered an art competition (unbeknownst to his parents). When John's sculpture won, his father was impressed with seeing his son's name in the newspaper as well as the $100 prize—more than a month's earnings in his shoe shop. Ruhl was allowed to quit his job at the insurance company and apprentice himself to a prominent NY sculptor. He later joined the Piccirilli Brothers—one of the foremost...
It's 23 July—the first day of the sunsign LEO! It was during this month (24 years ago) that LEO Design first opened shop on Bleecker Street. What a time it's been! Although we've moved three times (eventually to Pennsylvania), we have not stopped buying and selling "Handsome Gifts" and home furnishings. Take this handsome pair of lions, perched on rocks, surveying their domain. They are bookends and are dated 1926—which makes them 93 years old. When I opened my store in 1995, they were only 69 years old! That's the nice thing about antiques: they just keep getting older and older. Click on the photo above to learn more about them. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently...
"The Eagle has landed." With these words, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module touched-down in the Mare Tranquillitatis ("The Sea of Tranquility") on the moon's grey and dusty surface. NASA was meticulously ticking another box—each step a milestone in American (and Humanity's) history, science and knowledge. It happened fifty years ago today. After 76 hours en route to the moon (some 240,000 miles), three astronauts were just hours away from completing their historic mission: to set human foot upon the moon. Astronaut Michael Collins stayed behind, manning the Command Module "mothership", while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the moon in the Lunar Module (the Eagle) which would spend some 21 hours on the moon's surface. Like the rest of the multi-segment...
"Lift off! We have a liftoff!" With these words, the world watched as Apollo 11 slowly struggled to hoist its massive body skyward—and the world moved into a new age of science, technology and understanding. Sitting on the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Apollo 11 was actually a "stack" of different parts, each section to be disposed of after use, starting from the bottom. Only the very top of the rocket, the part that held the three astronauts, would (hopefully) return to Earth eight days later. Indeed, most of what we saw on the launch pad were the fuel segments to get the spacecraft off the ground and away from the Earth's enormous gravitational pull. It...
When it comes to the decorative arts, I have a soft spot for themes of literature and music—and I have an especially hard time passing-by a nice Dante Alighieri bust. After once tendering my respects at his handsome tomb in Ravenna, Italy, I feel like he's even more of a friend or family member now. Thus, I fell in love with this Italian bronze bust (c. 1920's - 1930's) the moment I saw it. I purchased it and spirited him home, intending to let him preside over my newly-finished library for a few months (at least). Well, Dante is moving-on! No sooner had I snapped a photo of him (and shared it with a like-minded collector), a sale was consummated—and Dante is...
Why are Teddy Roosevelt Bookends so difficult to find? While Lincoln bookends are somewhat commonplace, TR bookends are quite scarce—and, therefore, costly. I have a few ideas of why this might be. First of all, factory-produced bookends are an early Twentieth Century phenomenon—and really reached their production zenith during the 1920's and 1930's. Before the Twentieth Century, few people who could afford to assemble large collections of books (only the wealthy). Working people (who made up the bulk of the 19th Century US population) might own a small handful of books—a Bible, perhaps a cookbook and a few books of poetry—thus, mass-produced bookends were not really needed. Wealthy collectors had rooms, shelved libraries, to protect, organize and store their tomes. Roosevelt's...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Not far from the tomb of Saint Peter—above which the Papal Altar, Bernini's baldacchino and Michelangelo's dome rise—sits this bronze sculpture of the first pope, Saint Peter, clutching the keys to the kingdom close to his breast and raising his right hand in blessing. For centuries, the faithful have venerated the sculpture; in the Middle Ages, pilgrims (on their months-long walk to Rome) would petition the saint to help them make it home from their journey. Christians have traditionally kissed or touched the sculpture's extended right foot—which is now worn-down to a nub. For years, it was...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Once the "new" Saint Peter's Basilica was constructed, it became time to design and install a fitting marker over the Papal Altar and tomb of Saint Peter, the Church's first pope. Enter architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, engaged by then Pope Urban VIII of the wealthy and influential Barberini family. The canopy over the altar is technically called a ciborium—although the broader decorative term baldacchino is more commonly used instead. Bernini designed and oversaw its production between 1623 and 1634. It is a massive form, assembled of individually cast bronze pieces, stands some 95 feet high, and...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Saint Michael, the protector, is one of the three Archangels recognized by the Catholic Church (alongside Saints Gabriel and Raphael). An enormous bronze statue of him stands guard above his namesake Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome—a fortress overlooking the River Tiber. The sculpture was modeled by Flemish artist Peter Anton von Verschaffelt and installed in 1753. He is shown sheathing his signature sword, commemorating the end of the plague in 590 AD. The Castel itself has a much older history. It was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family (between 134...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Lucca is a handsome, human-scaled Tuscan city, still encircled by its original Renaissance era brick wall. It is also the birthplace of composer Giaccomo Puccini (1858-1924) who wrote popular operas including La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Turandot. Puccini was one of nine children and he was raised in a family with music in its blood. His father (and grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather) was the "Maestro di Capella" at Lucca's Cathedral of San Martino (since the Middle Ages, an important stop for pilgrims working their way to Rome). Little Giaccomo probably would have followed in his forefathers' footsteps...
It's the Graduating Season and sometimes an uplifting gift is in-order. Amongst the world's best writers—and, certainly, Italy's greatest writer—is Dante Alighieri, scholar, poet and author of The Divine Comedy. In the Late Middle Ages, when Dante was writing, it was customary for serious literature to be written in Latin. Dante ignored this convention, writing in the Italian language (and, what's more, in the Tuscan dialect of his beloved Florence). Since his death in 1321, Dante has influenced numerous writers, right up to the current age. Dante's relevance to the modern age is not confined to his writing—but concerns his politics. It seems he found himself supporting the losing side of a political scrum in his home city of Florence. Alas,...
A regiment of stylized repoussé tulips stand sentry around the border of this modestly-sized English Arts & Crafts copper tray. It sits on four brass ball feet and is perfect for a teapot and two tea cups. It would also be well-suited as a dresser tray (holding a collection of perfume bottles and other elixirs) or as a cruet tray on a dining table. Or consider three heavy, pillar candles aligned along the center of the tray—a stylish centerpiece on a coffee or entry hall table. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome piece. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store...
These tenacious tuskers will really put their heads into keeping your books upright. Nicely modeled elephants are clad in a skin of bronze and finished with an antique patina—resulting in a handsome pair of bookends from the 1920's. They'd be right at home on your bookshelf, mantelpiece or holding-up reference tomes on your desk. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange...
Thank you to the women who raised us, taught us, set-us-straight. The women who encouraged us, fed us, gave us life. Your sacrifice, heartache and unconditional love can never be repaid.
Happy Mother's Day!
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts"
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We end our little parade of handsome cast pewter frames with this delicate beauty, hand-made in New York City. A thin trail of stylized florals encircles the 2" x 3" image—the size of a wallet photo or small school picture. Learn more about this frame by clicking on the photo above. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248 Follow us on Instagram:...
This large 8" x 10" photo frame is the perfect stage for your treasured vintage wedding or graduation photo. With styling reminiscent of the 1940's—a scalloped profile and four corner caps—it will really bring your heirloom photo to life. Made in New York City of cast pewter, it can be found in our on-line store. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center...
A heavily ribbed profile (like a tightly-coiled industrial spring) surrounds this 8" x 10" photo frame. While substantial, the metalwork is well-proportioned, given the large format of the frame. And it will sit either horizontally or vertically. It is but one of many cast pewter photo frames now available in the LEO Design on-line ship. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this frame. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique...
A sculpted bas relief "garland" of flowers encircles this 2" x 3" cast pewter photo frame, hand-made in New York City. Perfect for a daughter's (or granddaughter's) school photo, you can learn more about it by clicking on the photo above. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248 Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on Facebook:...
Though small, this handsome cast pewter frame packs a big punch! Made in New York City, the diminutive frame (only 1.75" x 2.25") is surrounded with a heavy spring-like ribbing. Click on the photo above to learn more about this frame—and to see other options in different sizes and styles. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248...
Rich with Forties Style, this little (2" x 3") photo frame is perfect for showcasing your vintage photograph. A repeating scalloped profile is punctuated with corner fleurs-de-lys. Made of cast pewter in New York City. See it (and many ofter styles and sizes) by clicking on the photo above. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248 Follow...
Two 5" x 7" cast pewter photo frames—comprised of a crisp "rope" design—are hinged together, presenting a perfect setting for a pair of precious portraits. This is but one of many cast pewter frames (both singles and doubles) now available in our on-line store. Please click on the photo above to learn more about the frame. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh...
The heavy ribbing on this frame—like a tightly-coiled industrial spring—boldly punctuates this 5" x 7" cast pewter frame, made in New York City. It will bring a sense of gravitas to any photo which has the fortitude to push back. Learn more about it by clicking on the photo above. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248...
A crisp basketweave bas relief surrounds this little (3" x 4") photo frame, hand-made in New York City. Classic and just a little masculine, it's part of a larger collection of such frames, now to be found in the LEO Design on-line store. Please click upon the photo above to learn more about this frame. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom...
We have a large and nice assortment of contemporary cast pewter photo frames, hand-made in New York City. See them in our on-line shop. This version, an 8" x 10" frame, is surrounded with a course of pearls. While it helps your favorite portrait "pop," it won't distract from the important focus of the photo itself. Learn more about it by clicking on the photo above. Another hand-cast pewter photo frame tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center...
The windswept island of Iona, off the Western coast of Scotland, has a long (and sometimes mysterious) reputation as a place of remoteness, solitude and tranquility. Saint Columba founded a religious community here after arriving from Ireland in 563. From here, Christian missionaries moved further into Scotland. The island is the home of Iona Abbey, still a locus of monasticism and spiritual retreat. And Iona is considered (by many) one of those places that just feels holy—imbued with an intangible sense of spiritual energy. The Scottish agate brooch, shown above, was made on the island of Iona. A red and white striped agate cabochon is mounted within a scrolling botanical setting of sterling silver. Please click on the photo above to...
Mother's Day is on the horizon (12 May). It's never too early to get prepared! Shown here, a cast pewter photo frame, handmade in New York City. A crisp basketweave pattern pops from the 5" x 7" frame's profile. And there are many other frame options to be found on our website. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome frame—always a perfect gift for Mom (especially if it holds your photo!). More Mother's Day gift ideas tomorrow... Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at...
On this day in 1616—precisely four hundred and three years ago—the world’s greatest poet and playwright died in his home town of Stratford-on-Avon, England. While there is some mystery surrounding Shakespeare’s death, we do know (or think we know) a few things. He had returned to Stratford (and his family) after 20 years of working in London. His day of death may have also been his 53rd birthday (though we don’t know his precise birthdate, only the day of his baptism). And he was buried in the chancel of the Holy Trinity Church, whose then vicar, John Ward, was a fan of The Bard. The cause of Shakespeare’s death has been debated. The Reverend Ward wrote in his diary: “Shakespeare, Drayton and...
Fretwork. Meandering. Greek Key. These are varying names for the type of geometric, continuous decorative element shown on the pewter frame, above. Although the Greek Key was used in the decor of many different cultures, its popularity on painted Ancient Greek ceramics has forever linked the handsome repeat with Hellenic art and architecture. Learn more about the frame above, made of cast pewter in New York City, by clicking on the photo. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique...
Today is the most solemn day on the Christian calendar—the day when Jesus endured His Passion, was crucified and laid into the tomb. Coming after Lent, a long period of atonement and reflection, this darkest of days will soon be followed by the most joyous of Christian events—Easter and the Resurrection. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248 Follow us on Instagram:...
When I first opened my store on Bleecker Street in 1995, I had little money to spend on luxuries. And yet, I wanted to have gift-boxing which befitted the moniker "Handsome Gifts." Wrapping paper was out of the question—too expensive, too wasteful, too impractical and too time-consuming at the cash desk. So I searched for alternatives and settled on a plain kraft gift box—embellished with a copper LEO Design "hot stamp" embossment (which did cost a little something)—tied-up with black grosgrain ribbon. Though not very jolly, this gift-boxing was easy, inexpensive, non-seasonal, non-denominational and (most importantly) distinctive—no one else was doing anything like it. Several years in, all's going well, and Marc Jacobs opens his first (of many!) stores on Bleecker...
Welcome, April—and its birthstone, the Diamond! The phrase "A Diamond is Forever" comes from an ad campaign for DeBeers, which, until fairly recently, was undisputedly the world's largest diamond seller. Perhaps "forever" is an overstatement; regardless, diamonds are an impressive work of Mother Nature. They are the hardest known natural substance, making them suitable for industrial uses (in addition to decorative applications). They are incredibly old: most natural diamonds were formed deep within the Earth (90 to 500 miles down) 1 - 3.5 billion years ago. More recently (hundreds of millions of years ago), the Earth's volcanic activity moved some of them closer to the surface where they were discovered by man. Some diamonds were also formed by the heat...
Although quite traditional, the thinness of this frame—not to mention its crisp casting—gives it a timeless, even Modern appeal. It would suit a traditional or contemporary setting and will (rightly) keep the focus on your treasured photo. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248 Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on...
Sometimes smaller is better. When you need "just a little something" with which to remember someone special, perhaps this little oval frame will do? Made of cast pewter (in New York City), it features a heavy, swirling rib which runs around the frame's perimeter. It's discreet and won't take up too much room on a busy work desk. See it at LEO Design by clicking on the photo above. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane...
Three hours comes fast when you're exhausted and have just gone to bed. But we were living on adrenaline and wanted to get to our house before the moving van did. We hit the road hours before sunrise. It was 7:00 am when the phone rang—we were crawling through Pittsburgh rush hour—and it was the house seller, telling us that the Verizon man was waiting for us. It turns-out, she hadn't moved-out when we thought she had—and we were suddenly relieved that we had not shown-up at three in the morning, terrifying her while trying to get into the house! Within an hour the moving vans (plural!) showed-up. It seems I had under-estimated the number of book boxes they would be...
In the last installment of this story, you found Bob, Benji, Lucky (The Hurricane Parakeet*) and me squeezed into a Pittsburgh-bound rent-a-car with our "carry-ons" (stuffed into every crevice of the vehicle, window-to-window). Naturally, it was rush hour—which means it took an hour to get down to (and through) the Holland Tunnel. The drive usually takes us about seven hours, eight hours when traveling with the pup, and we really wanted to make it in one go. The seller had just moved-out and we wanted to sleep in our new house! But we were exhausted—and faced an equally big day tomorrow. Alas, four hours in, we surrendered to Prudence (rather than Passion) and decided to break our journey en-route. Midnight,...
Two years ago today—has the time passed that quickly?—Roadway Movers rang the bell at my Chelsea apartment and started loading a mountain of boxes onto a large, double-parked truck. It was my last day as a bonafide New Yorker. Were it not for the whirlwind of packing "24 Years of Apartment" (immediately after packing "23 Years of Store"), I'm sure I would have been Desolation's Poster Boy. But I didn't have the time. I pushed my exhaustion into one of those expensive wardrobe cartons and assumed supervision of a pleasingly well-oiled moving crew. Within eight hours, all that remained was the four of us: Bob, Benji, Lucky and me—with Lucky's squawky chirps echoing off the now-bare apartment walls and floor. We lugged...
Here's another handsome pewter photo frame, likewise hand-made in New York City. A quartet of four scalloped corner emblellishments punctuate the Art Deco style of this handsomely crafted frame. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts"
Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome Gifts"
The Greek Key—sometimes called "meandering scrollwork"—is amongst my favorite decorative elements. It's crisp, mathematical, architectural and oh so handsome. It's masculine yet elegant—a winning combination of traits! This 2.5" x 3.5" frame is hand-cast in New York City. It is decorated with a border of precise Greek Key scrolling. Let it give a lift to a favorite photo of yours. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of...
I bought this wonderful bronze seahorse bottle opener in England—just outside of Oxford—some seven or eight years ago. For that entire period, I kept him tucked away in my desk drawer, so loathe was I to part with him. My hope was to have him recast in bronze (multiple times, of course) which I could sell as contemporary items. I even flirted with keeping him for myself, permanently. Well, six years passed and so did our precious time in Greenwich Village. I packed him up for our move to Pittsburgh two years ago—and he sat deep within a box for those two additional years. He was finally unearthed last week and I decided that, if I were going to duplicate...
Pearls are one of Mother Nature's perfect creations. Their shape, their sheen, their modest flawlessness—no other "gem" achieves such majesty so effortlessly. And, until the 20th Century, they were so costly that they remained solely in the possession of emperors and monarchs. With such characteristic merits, it is no surprise that pearls have been used as decorative motifs—in architecture, painting, sculpture and the decorative arts. One contemporary example is the cast pewter frame, shown above. On it, a string of pearls—lined-up like soldiers—provides a delicate yet stately framework for your precious photo or paper memento. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our...
This frame (and its on-line siblings) is a bit of a happy miracle. Beautifully designed, expertly crafted, it was made right here in the United States. And in New York City, no less! It's proof that quality manufacturing can survive in our otherwise service-oriented economy. It's a pleasure to support such local industry which does not attempt to plumb the lowest common denominator. As such, this frame is not trendy, it is not disposable, and it is not cheap. Instead, it is a one-time purchase which will last a century or more—physically and aesthetically. And it's reminiscent of a time when Americans were willing to pay more for something that would last a good, long time. Please click on the photo...
Italy is my favorite travel destination—and I easily could spend every remaining vacation of my life exploring (and absorbing) a new Italian village or city. So I am well aware that Italy shines brightly in certain respects (style, atmosphere, attitude, design) and is (ummm...) less highly-regarded in other areas (precision timing, prompt shipping). I keep this in mind while considering this handsome and stylish pewter sandglass. While the sand-cast metal is beautifully designed and crafted, it is less-effective as a precision timepiece: sometimes it hits the thirty minute mark, sometimes it will add or subtract a minute (or two, or less) to that timing objective. Che importa? Who cares? In keeping with Italy's age-old experience with time, you'll find a...
Aluxes are mythical Mayan "elves"—not unlike Irish Leprechauns or Hawaiian Menehune. Though usually invisible—or, at least, unseen—they can take the form of knee-high dwarves. And they are known to be mischievous. But their mischief-making does not carry an evil intent; instead, they will sometimes create chaos while attempting to protect their territory. In recent years, while a bridge was being built in Mexico, it kept collapsing, inexplicably. Local residents of Mayan ancestry explained that the builders had failed to ask permission of the little aluxes before commencing work. The engineers rectified the situation by creating a little house under the bridge—so that the aluxes could continue to live in the area, undisturbed. The small house can still be seen (under...
This handsome old-world beaker was made in contemporary Italy in the age-old sand-cast method. Used since mankind first started casting metals (in the Bronze Age), sand-casting remains a low-tech and wonderful technique for creating rustic and satisfyingly naive metal objects. First, an "original" (that is, the item to be duplicated) is pushed into a tray of sticky sand. Once lifted out, a depression is left in the sand—into which molten metal (in this case, pewter) is poured. Once the cast piece has cooled and solidified, the piece is taken out, chased (that is, cleaned of burrs and other major irregularities), and polished. Although an accurate duplicate is created, this "unsophisticated" method allows for plenty of idiosyncrasies and the hand-crafted sensibility of...
A love note for your Valentine? Sometime's the sweetest surprise is that unexpected token, tucked-away in a purse or wallet. And with this handsome note holder, you'll always be ready to write. The polished pewter piece was designed by Danish Modernist artist Erik Magnussen and made by Royal Selangor. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Happy Valentine's Day!
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Given time and the right environmental conditions, all metals will "patinate" (that is, "tarnish"). Some metals, like silver, tarnish very quickly. Others, like copper, take decades to develop a rich, dark patina. Pewter needs several years (and dry conditions) to develop a dark, rich grey finish like the French Art Nouveau vase, shown above. Brass falls on the middle of the "tarnish continuum." And some metals, like bronze, are often purposely patinated at the time of manufacture to give them a certain look—for example, antique gold, chocolate brown or verdigris green. In the world of decorative arts, the condition of a metal's finish can often make-or-break the value of an item. Although tastes vary, the general rule is: the longer...
Though clearly Art Deco—in period and style—these 1930's bookends foreshadow the "Brutalist" aesthetic to come two decades later. Brutalism was a design ethic which swept worldwide architecture in the third-quarter of the Twentieth Century. Coming on the heels of the Second World War, it sought to overturn the (so-called) "frivolous" aesthetic of previous human generations, and, perhaps, to shock the world with its defiant rejection of grace. Brutalism is known for its brazen angularity and a lack of any concern for "fitting-in" to the existing community of buildings. Though it is often described as the expression of "function over form," it is more often perceived as an insolent disregard for traditional conventions of beauty. The new, post-War generation of designers...
In days of yore, well before Amazon, a traveling salesman would stop by your office to sell you screws, springs or hosing—or whatever your industry required. And he would usually leave a little something behind; something handsome and useful and likely to remind you to place another order. This spring-form letter holder and pen rest was made of cast iron around 1910. The advertiser's name, "K Diamond" prominently (though tastefully) featured on each side. Over the past 24 years, I have found three of these—one in a far away Shanghai flea market! Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location,...
The Tempio della Concordia in Agrigento, Sicily, is the best preserved Doric Order temple in the world (alongside the Parthenon in Athens). It was built around 440-430 BC when the pre-Italian island was an important part of the Greek world. It was later named after the Roman goddess of harmony. It is surrounded by 20 foot tall fluted columns—six along each short side and 13 along each long side—topped, naturally, with Doric capitals. Each column tapers subtly near the top and swells gently in the middle which gives the column a dynamic tension—as though the column were straining to bear the weight of the roof. The temple was converted to a Christian Basilica (of Saints Peter & Paul) in the...
We've just added a number of handsome pewter frames to our on-line shop. And there are many more to be shot in the weeks to come. Shown above, just one example: an 8" x 10" cast pewter frame with a crisp "rope" design. Learn more about it (and its siblings) by clicking on the photo above.
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According to the Chinese zodiac, 2019 is The Year of the Pig. It's the final (twelfth) character of the cycle—since the Pig was the last guest to show-up when summoned by the Jade Emperor. People born in the year of the pig are down-to-Earth, focussed on their work and tenacious about sticking to their goals. Because of a disciplined work ethic, they are likely to become financially secure (in time), even if born to a poor family. They don't stand out in a crowd and will never be accused of being "all talk, no action." Pigs also tend to be gentle and quiet. Their patience and desire to be helpful makes them great teachers or coaches. Though pigs are careful...
A gentle reminder . . . Saint Valentine's Day is less than a week and a half away!.
And, since time is our most precious commodity, perhaps this Italian sand-cast pewter sandglass will be a reminder of time's fleeting nature. Spend your precious time with the one(s) you love. Click on the photo above to learn more about it
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In the Art Deco period, "heroic" human figures—like this "Trojan Horseman"—would be used as decorative elements in the architecture of the day. Usually, the sculpture was designed to represent some intangible element of a robust society: commerce, labor, agriculture. A walk through central Washington, DC will present many such examples—on Thirties buildings which manage and guide the various important agencies for the nation. The theme of "Horse Tamers" in artwork is one that goes back to Rome with the monumental sculptures of Castor & Pollux (and their horses) standing near the Baths of Constantine on Quirinal Hill. A pair of sculpted Horse Tamers by Baron Peter Clodt von Jurgensburg (plus two more by a different artist) grace the Anichkov Bridge...
Welcome to February and its birthstone, the amethyst. Although these sterling silver Art Deco cufflinks do not bear the actual gemstone, they are dressed in a handsome, amethyst colored enamel—and would make a lovely gift for any February birthday. Learn more about them by clicking on the photo above. Up until the Nineteenth Century, amethysts were very precious; they were considered one of the rare (and expensive) "Cardinal Gemstones"—alongside rubies, diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. At the time, they were only to be found in Austria and Russia (where the most beautiful, deep-purple amethysts were found). Medieval monarchs—especially in England—adorned themselves with the royal amethyst. Even today, Anglican bishops wear an amethyst in their episcopal rings. This is due to the...
Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan's most famous buildings and a designated National Treasure. Principally built between 1593 and 1594, it soon became the home of the "Matsumoto Domain" during the Tokugawa Shogunate of the Edo Period (1603-1868). It is within the Nagano Prefecture, some 40 miles south of Nagano. Built of wood, atop a stone base, Matsumoto Castle is unusual in that it was not sited upon a hilltop or on an island. Instead, it is a "flatland" castle, protected by a wide man-made moat (which, in turn, is surrounded by cherry trees). The six story building is sometimes called "Crow Castle" due to its black coloration and gracefully upswept eves. These cufflinks, probably Japanese, are silver decorated with striking...
Can you hear the wind passing through the bamboo—a satisfying rustle of leaves overhead? These sterling silver Art Deco cufflinks, made in the 1930's, are probably American, not Japanese. Nevertheless, they capture a popular theme during the 1930's, "the exotic Far East." Actually, it was a time when most Americans couldn't imagine making such a long trip—nor could they afford it. But a small, alluring indulgence, like these cufflinks, might afford its wearer a moment of romantic glamour, a modest experience of enjoying the larger world. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which...
Here's another offering, designed by Danish Modernist artist Erik Magnussen (1940-2014). A covered sugar bowl and beaker-form creamer are cast in pewter and polished to a high shine by Royal Selangor (founded 1885). Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Danish artist, Erik Magnussen (1940-2014), is amongst Denmark's preeminent Modernist designers. Trained as a ceramicist, one of his earliest jobs was working for Bing & Grøndahl. Later, he was hired to design items—furniture, lighting, hardware, tabletop wares—for quality manufacturers and retailers around the world. His works are exhibited in museums worldwide. The salt and pepper shakers, shown above, were designed by Magnussen for Royal Selangor (founded 1885). They are cast in pewter and polished to a high shine. Please click up on the photo above to learn more about them. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us...
Store your mail in style. This English Arts & Crafts oak letter holder is clad with hand-tooled brass plates—which show stylized botanicals and a snarling, reticulated dragon. At top, a glass amethyst "turtleback" cabochon punctuates the entire design. Suitable sitting on a desk or hanging on the wall from its brass hook. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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This silver-plated amphibian, when wound, will play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." The English lullaby, based on an 1806 poem, is set to the popular French children's song "Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman" ("Shall I tell you, Mother" - 1761). The tune became even more popular when a 25 year old Mozart composed twelve variations on the theme. Although the music box, above, is meant as a child's gift, it has proved just as popular with adults—due to it's realistic, warty sculpting and the irresistible childhood tune. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues...
Like most regional Art Nouveau movements, the German Jugendstil used naturalistic elements as decorative motifs. Here a copper tray is embossed with a pattern of leaves, berries and whiplash-form vines. Perhaps the berries were meant to echo the glasses of berry wine, possibly carried on the tray. It is finished with brass handles and ball feet. It was made by Württembergische Mettalwarenfabrik, also known as WMF, during the 1910's. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome...
War has been described as hours of crushing tedium, punctuated with moments of fierce and life-altering intensity. For this reason, soldiers and sailors have long found ways to pass the time—perhaps handcrafting a simple gift for a sweetheart left back home. And necessity dictates using the supplies at hand, in this case a bronze artillery shell casing. The metal shell has been crafted into an ashtray, from which a stag leaps from the pediment at center. It was made at some time during World War Two—by an unknown artisan, for an unknown loved one. It's a bit of naive folk art, combined with the history and pathos of a person at war. Please click on the photo above to learn more about...
Some 85 miles north of London stands Peterborough Cathedral, one of the great churches of Britain. Principally built between 1118 and 1237, this English Gothic masterpiece stands on the site of an earlier church, founded in 655. Saints Peter, Paul and Andrew look down from the three central gables, appropriate as the cathedral's official name is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew. The church was originally a Catholic house of worship. When Henry VIII "dissolved the monasteries"—thus stripping the churches of their precious objects and banning Catholic worship—it was converted to an Anglican cathedral. But Henry's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, had already been buried in the church—and remains there to this day. Later, the Scottish...
Another pair of English sterling silver cufflinks, finished with a handsome treatment of aqua and sapphire blue enameling. They're very stylish, exhibiting classic Art Deco style. Their lack of any wear and tear, however, bring their age into question. But they were nice—and priced right—so I bought them. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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Such a fresh color combination: pistachio and white! And the color makes this pair of Art Deco cufflinks pop! Concentric ovals of guilloché work radiate outwards, adding an additional level of finesse to this handsome pair of cufflinks, made in the 1930's. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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If I could only buy one type of jewelry for the rest of my life, it would be Art Deco enameled silver cufflinks. The pair above, tick this specific box. I am not, however, certain of their age. They are beautifully designed, well-made, and have very little wear and tear. It is this final factor which throws their age into question. Obviously, I bought them anyway—a testimony to their handsome and stylish design and condition. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on...
From The Land of the Rising Sun comes this exquisite Crescent Moon. A heavy piece of solid brass is cut and hand-finished into the elegant bottle opener shown here. While it is absolutely functional, it is also handsome enough to keep out on your coffee table or bar cart. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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For centuries, before modern harvesting equipment was developed, grain products were "reaped" by hand. A field of grain (like barley, rye or wheat) was harvested by a team of workers. With the harvesters moving in a clockwise circle (and starting on the edge of the field), one person used a sickle or scythe to cut the grain stalks. "Following" laborers would then gather a bunch of these stalks into "sheaves"—which they would tie-up with a few of those same stalks. The team would move around the perimeter of the field, getting closer to the center with every pass. Often, several sheaves would then be stacked together, leaning inwards, into a "stook." Why sheaves? By cutting the stalks and binding them...
Those were the Good Ol' Days! When promotional giveaways were made of bronze and cast iron. Like the advertising paperweight, shown above. The nameplate and knob are bronze, mounted upon a decorative cast iron base. It will add a touch of Turn-of-the-Century style to your desk or office. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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It's a new year and time for a (not so) new resolution—concerning weight. But enough about that!
This set of seven Edwardian English brass scale weights spans the range of 1/4 ounce to one pound. They would have been used in an English shop, on a balance, to weigh goods for sale. Today, they could be used as paperweights, "Modernist" sculpture or as "Executive Playthings." Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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While Arts & Crafts artisans did appreciate beautiful materials, fine and expensive supplies were never a prerequisite. Part of the Arts & Crafts philosophy was to let handsomely unadorned materials shine in their own simple ways. Wood grains, hammered metals and functional joinery often became the most important embellishments of otherwise simple pieces. The glazed ceramic cabochon, shown here, is just such an example. Though set into a sterling silver mount, most of this brooch's appeal lies in the lovely and mysterious glazing upon the cabochon—which is, of course, the handwork of a talented craftsman. It was made around 1910 and would look wonderful on the heavy winter lapel of a man or woman's winter coat. Please click on the photo...
In Edwardian England (where and when this box was made), wealthy and middle class families would employ servants—who were expected to serve their masters on Christmas Day. Their day off was on the 26th, known as Boxing Day, the day on which servants would receive gifts from their employers. Traditionally, even the tradesmen who served the family would be given "boxes" with a gratuity or other gift within. Today, the occasion is still observed as a "bank holiday" in England and other Commonwealth countries—though very few families still employ live-in servants. The brass stamp box, shown here, was made around 1905. Besides stamps, it is a cozy spot to hold a few rings, clips or flat cufflinks. Please click on the photo...
Let's end our little parade of bookends in feline style: with this pair of antique cast iron bookends from the Twenties. A pair of proud lions survey their domain from atop this craggy mountaintop. Beautifully modeled, nicely cast and finished with an (aged) copper wash, they would make a handsome addition to any office, den or bookshelf—and make any good LEO happy. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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Which pair of bookends could be more-appropriate for a smart person than those called "The Thinker"? Rodin first created "Le Penseur" in 1880 as part of a larger sculpted grouping called "The Gates of Hell," based on Dante's The Divine Comedy. The first large stand-alone "Thinker" was cast in 1904 and the public was intrigued by a work which perfectly suited the times. Psychology increasingly was viewed as a legitimate science and the public was fascinated with the human mind and the theories of Sigmund Freud. "The Thinker" became an icon of the Turn-of-the-Century zeitgeist. The bookends shown above were made in the 1920's—when "The Thinker" was still a relatively recent novelty. First, the bookend maker needed to sculpt an artful and accurate model...
The Boston Terrier was actually first "created" in Liverpool, England. It was a terrible time for dogs and other animals—the mid Nineteenth Century—as "bloodsports" were a popular pastime, pitting dogs against other animals (including dogs) in fights-to-the-death. Attempting to create a novel "pit dog," a Bulldog was crossed with an English White Terrier (now extinct). This dog, named "Judge," was purchased by a Bostonian who brought him back to the States and bred him to develop and establish the breed. Today the breed is known for its curious and sprightly nature, its sharp "tuxedo" coat and its gentlemanly behavior. These bookends, from the 1920's, were made when Boston Terriers were even more popular than they are today. In the Teens,...
I like to visit beautiful cemeteries—especially those with strong Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century monuments. Highgate in London, Père Lachaise in Paris. A quiet afternoon here is an afternoon well-spent. Cemeteries are quiet, verdant, and usually well-appointed with beautiful sculpture and architecture. So, when I found myself with a little extra time in Budapest, I made my way to the Kerepesi Cemetery—at the end of the Metro line, in what was once "just outside" of the old city. Here I spent a wonderful couple of hours, meandering amongst the graves and admiring the handsome sculpture-rich monuments erected by loving survivors. The bronze-clad bookends above were modeled by sculptor Julio Kilenyi in the 1910's or 1920's. Kilenyi was born in Arad...
I like people who love dogs. And people who love books. That said, these bookends really hit the mark! They were made of cast iron and finished with a copper wash in the 1920's or 1930's—a time when bulldogs were amongst the most popular of pet dog breeds. Though the breed diminished in popularity over the ensuing decades, bulldogs did have one high-profile moment during World War Two when they became forever linked with the resolve, tenacity and (well) doggedness of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. More handsome bookends tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line...
Does anyone dislike Gothic architecture? To me, the Gothic (and Gothic Revival) marks the high-water mark of human architectural achievement. And though you may not live in a Gothic Castle (or Cathedral), you could have a handsome (and heavy) pair of Gothic Arch bookends. Made by Bradley & Hubbard (Meriden, CT) in the 1920's or 1930's, these bookends will bring a handsome touch of Gothic architectural interest to your (non-Gothic) home or office. They would also make a great gift for a smart person in your life. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. More handsome bookends tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please...
Owls have long represented Wisdom—since the days of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Athens's namesake. More recently, bookends have become the perfect gift for smart people. Why? Well, first of all, one only needs bookends if one has books. And one only has books if one loves wisdom, learning and knowledge. Add to this the fact that a handsome pair of bookends are practical and aesthetically pleasing—like the pair of bronze-clad bookends, shown above. Made in the 1920's, these nicely-modeled bookends were electroplated in bronze, then patinated and punctuated with hand-painting. They'll bring style—and a certain sense of erudition—to your desk, bookshelf or office. Learn more about them by clicking on the photo above. More handsome bookends tomorrow. LEO...
This small but heavy sculpture is a remarkable bit of metalwork handcraft. Made in Japan, a heavy block of solid brass is shaped into this sensuous feline form and polished to a bright finish. He'd be happy to hold your paperwork or just sit with you at the desk—quietly reflecting while quietly reflecting. Please click on the photo above to learn more about him.
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This handsome pair of Art Deco bookends, made in the 1920's, portray a pensive cellist—tortured, talented, tenacious. Artfully sculpted and clad in electroplated bronze, they still retain much of their original polychrome painting. A wonderful gift for a cellist, musician or music-lover. Learn more about them by clicking on the photo above.
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Florence Pretz of Kansas City, Missouri, was an art teacher and illustrator. She claims that the gnome-like character "Billiken" came to her in a dream—and by 1908, Pretz had secured a design patent on her creation, "the god of things as they ought to be." She marketed the little guy as a good luck token—informing the public that to give one was lucky, but to receive one was even more lucky. Today, Billiken stands as the mascot of the Jesuit college Saint Louis University (and its affiliated high school). This little bank was made in the 1910's or 1920's. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed....
Elbert Hubbard, founder of the Roycroft community in East Aurora, New York, modeled his campus on the progressive—and reformist—arts colonies in turn-of-the-century England. Besides metal working, furniture making and lamp crafting, the printing of books, cards and posters was needed to bring education and culture to the eager minds of the day. Hubbard created his "Little Journeys" series: a monthly subscription of books which detailed the lives of the artistic, important and influential. Each year, a new topic would be introduced, whether musicians, orators, scientists or men of letters. The bookends above, made by Roycroft, were intended to hold up one's collection of Little Journeys booklets. You will learn more about them by clicking on the photo above. LEO Design's Greenwich Village...
A handy stocking-stuffer, this clever little keying was crafted of machined brass in Brooklyn, NY. The twisting form is capped with a screw-in ending—which makes adding (or subtracting) keys a snap. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Welcome, December, and your birthstone, the Turquoise. The sublime blue-green stone has been mined and used decoratively for thousands of years although the modern(ish) name “Turquoise” dates back only to the 1600’s—from the French word “Turques” (after the “Turks” who first brought the stone to Europe from Persia). Some of the oldest turquoise mining occurred in Persia […]
American sculptor James Earle Frasier (1876-1953) was known for his handsome sculpture—including Native American themes and wild animals of the West. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago as well as the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He was hired to re-design the Nickel, part of an on-going effort to "beautify" American currency. Despite objections from coin-operated vending machine owners (who thought the coin was too easy to imitate with "slugs"), Frasier's "Indian Head" or "Buffalo Nickel" was minted starting in 1913. Alas, the design proved difficult to "strike" crisply—and the bas relief design was prone to excessive wear from circulation. In 1938, after the 25 year circulation requirement was met, the coin was replaced by the Jefferson nickel. The cufflinks...
Bring a touch of elegant handcraft to your busy desk—with this English Arts & Crafts pen tray, made around 1900. Hand-tooled wild irises scroll amidst stylized botanical effects on this brass repoussé piece. Pen trays, once necessary to keep a desk clean and tidy, are now perfect places to keep clips, business cards or even pens. At home antique pen trays are a handsome solution for one's jewelry at bedside or keys near the door. Click on the photo above to learn more about this stylish piece. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on Facebook:...
Your trusty steed is saddled-up and at-the-ready! Ready to serve you loyally, holding your letters, cards or bills. He's made of cast brass and was made in England in the 1920's or 1920's. A great gift for a horse lover or perfect at home to corral your loose bits of paper. Click on the photo above to learn more about him.
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Want to make your morning just a little easier? Consider this simply elegant Victorian English brass shoehorn. While one may continue to jam his fingers between shoe and heel, why not slide-in in style? You'll make it out the door with a little extra time, a little less struggle, and the satisfaction of using just the right tool for a job well done. Click on the photo above to learn more about this quality piece.
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Some things don't get better with modernity. Try to find a contemporary letter rack for your new office's desk and you're likely to end-up with a cheap (looking) plastic contraption. Functional, yes. But oh-so-lacking in human handcraft or style. This piece, made in Jugendstil Germany, is assembled (with rivets!) of hand-hammered coper—each piece hand-scalloped with a touch of the Gothic. It's not very big, but it will easily hold small notepads, a few handy tools, or (naturally) envelopes or letters. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on...
“Trench Art” was a form of folk art practiced by soldiers (or, sometimes, sailors) during World Wars I & II. Men on the front line would sometimes have long stretches of boredom, punctuated by sudden bursts of excruciating action. The artistically-inclined amongst them might spend their quiet hours crafting items (such as the vase, above) […]
On 10 November 1855, the long-form poem “Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was published. It proved popular, selling 50,000 copies within the next two years. While the poem is considered a masterpiece of American Romantic literature, it is not necessarily an accurate, historical rendering of Native American people and their lives. Nevertheless, the […]
A winsome dancer sways to the music on this pair of cufflinks made of Honolulu Rapid Transit tokens, first minted in the 1950's. Sterling silver mountings complete the assembly. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Thomas Nast was the popular and powerful cartoonist, lecturer, and political thinker of the American 19th century. He did much of his work for Harper’s Weekly in New York City. On this day in 1874, Nast introduced the Elephant as the symbol for the Republican party—a mascot which survives to this day. Nast has been […]
On this day in 1922, British archeologist Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Not only did this discovery set the scientific, historical, and archeological worlds ablaze, but it sparked a revival of “Egyptian Mania” in the decorative arts. “King Tut” took the throne at the age of 9 or 10 and held it […]
Before the advent of cartridge ink pens (or ball point pens), writing was a messy ordeal. Writers greeted you with blackened fingers and newspaper writers were called "Ink-Stained Wretches." What to do if you were an educated gentleman? You wanted to (or needed to) write—but you preferred to maintain a gentlemanly nattiness. (Not to mention preserve your expensive leather-topped desk). Enter the pen tray! Here one could keep one or more inky pens—close-at-hand but securely cradled. This footed pen tray, made in late Nineteenth Century France, is crafted of cast bronze and decorated with sensuous botanical scrollwork and regimented triangular edging. And, if inky messes are no-longer a common occurrence on your desk, these pen trays are perfect holding...
Here' another handsome piece by French knife-maker Laguiole. The hand-forged stainless steel knife is clad in white cow horn (which has the look of ivory) and is capped with polished stainless steel bolsters. Of course, the knife is finished with the classic hand-chiseled bee (and spine) and it displays the stainless pins which form a stylized cross on one side. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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James Barton Longacre was born in 1794 in Delaware County, Eastern Pennsylvania. His mother died when he was young and he ran away to Philadelphia at the age of 12—unable to abide his new stepmother. He was taken-in by the family of a Philly bookseller and given an apprenticeship working in the bookshop. But young James displayed a talent for portraiture so the shopkeeper released him of his apprenticeship which allowed him to work for an engraver. In a recess appointment by U.S. President John Tyler, Longacre was appointed Chief Engraver for the Philadelphia Mint in 1844, a position he held until his death in 1869. He was a prolific designer of many coins, including the iconic "Indian Head" penny (produced from...
