After a prolonged and warm Autumn (we used to call it "Indian Summer"), winter finally came—and it descended fast. I've already been (light) shoveling for a week. And we've had consecutive days well-below freezing. If that's not enough winter for you, perhaps these handsome pressed-glass pine trees will bring it home. Two sculpted glass trees—seemingly laden with snow—stand as a pair (one short, one tall). They are beautiful for the Holidays though they would look nice on a windowsill year 'round—catching and diffusing the light that hits them. 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...
It's two weeks until Hanukkah—the Jewish Festival of Lights.
The dates for Hanukkah follow the Hebrew Calendar—beginning on the 25th day of Kislev—and the holiday can fall anywhere from late November to late December on the Gregorian (modern day) Calendar. This year, Hanukkah will begin at sundown on Christmas Day. This coincidence occurs infrequently, most recently in 2005. Before that, Hanukkah coincided with Christmas Day in 1959, 1921, and 1910. The next time that Hanukkah will begin on Christmas Day will be in 2035.
The Hanukkah menorah, shown above, was cast in bronze in the form of a windswept cypress tree.
I have spent my adult life as a merchant. Thanksgiving has always been a milestone day in my professional calendar. Despite the busy-ness of the season—the preparation and the crazy days to come—I love this quiet day to rest and reflect on everything for which I am grateful: my friends and family, my health, my customers and my faith.
Shown above, a cast pewter heart. It's a sculpture, a paperweight, a loving memento.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. And I hope that we might "cross paths" between now and Christmas!
Before the Holidays arrive—and sweep us away—we have a few days remaining to activate those long-planned organizational systems, simple or complex as they may be. Having "just the right place" to keep important items can save us time and annoyance (when we most need to be operating efficiently). For me, having my keys and wallet stashed in their proper place makes for a less dramatic morning—when I'm scrambling to get-out-the-door on-time.
This heavy brass "pocket caddy" is the perfect place to keep those pocketable items, perhaps near the door (where they can always be located). This caddy can also be used at bedside—to keep-tidy one's watch, cufflinks, coins, rings or collar stays.
When I found this charming baby bird, I just couldn't resist. I suppose his plump body, big eyes and open mouth are his evolutionary insurance that his parents will continue to feed and protect him—until such time he can provide those functions for himself. Could this be why we find baby creatures adorable? So that we will continue to nurture them through those vulnerable years? This little Japanese bird—is it meant to hold matches, cigarettes or toothpicks?—is cast in bronze and finished with a light verdigris patina. Need I add that he is well-sculpted? Clearly the artist knew exactly how to appeal to that ancient animal impulse (in most of us) to care for those cute and cuddly creatures—be they...
Don't look now! St. Valentine's Day is a short five months away!
First we need to get-through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
The cast pewter heart, shown above, was hand-crafted in California. It would make a lovely token of your affection on Valentine's Day (or Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's).
Notorious curmudgeon, W. C. Fields, advised actors to "Never share the stage with animals or children." They are just too darn cute!
That's true for this pair of cast iron bookends, made in the Twenties or Thirties. A pair of watchful terrier puppies—simultaneously slouchy and attentive—are ready to hold-up your books or decorate your mantelpiece. The bookends are heavy. However, they do not have traditional "flat backs" which most bookends do. So these bookends are most effectively used holding-up thick and heavy, hardback tomes—which don't lean much, they just need to be kept upright.
Blenko Glass, still operating in Milton, West Virginia, has an interesting—though quite fraught—history. The company was founded by Englishman William Blenko in 1893. He was born in London in 1853 and had worked in the glass industry there. At age 40, he moved to the United States where he opened (in Kokomo, Indiana) America's first factory to produce sheet glass for stained glass windows. That endeavor lasted ten years until an economic downturn forced Blenko to return to England. Six years later, Blenko was back in America and opened another factory, this time in Point Marion, Pennsylvania (which quickly failed), followed by another one in Clarksburg, West Virginia (which also closed quickly). Not one to give-up, William Blenko opened another factory...
Korea has a long history of artistic handcrafted bronze ware—both for decorative and for practical (food service) uses. Shown above, a decorative bronze charger made in South Korea in the Fifties. It was probably brought-back to the States by an American serviceman who had been stationed in Korea.
The wide-rimmed charger is decorated with a highly-detailed bas relief wildlife scene. A pike leaps vigorously from the waters. Lilly pads, river grasses and a riverbank landscape can be seen behind him. It is all captured in tremendous detail. And, yet, the dynamic fish is the clear focus of the composition.
Happy Labor Day to the talented workers who—with the talent of their hands and the sweat of their brows—make our lives better and more beautiful. May they always be cherished and rewarded.
Shown above, a Danish Modernist stoneware tile—with deep bas relief sculpting—which portrays a blacksmith, hard at work at a hot forge. It was sculpted by Karl Otto Johansen for Danish ceramics workshop Bing & Grøndahl. It could be installed permanently within a larger tiling project or it can hang on the wall—all by itself—using the hanging grommet on the back of the tile.
In honor of this week's Democratic National Convention—and the parade of feisty Democrats crossing the convention's stage—we are showing a few of our own favorite donkeys, now in-stock at LEO Design. (If your tastes lean towards elephants, click "continue reading" then please click here.)
This fella, a 1950's wooden toy, is composed of articulated limbs, ears and tail. He is painted in red and black—with a watchful eye and a yellow mouth.
I stayed-up way too late last night, watching the first night of the Democratic National Convention. And so it begins. Why am I exhausted already? (In truth, I've been exhausted for eight years.) Perhaps things are more convenient when they are in one's own time zone.
To the rescue! This little bronze donkey can help us get through the next 76 days—and the possibly-contested days to follow. On the bottom of each little hoof you'll find the letters K, I, C & K. He's a Kick Ass kind of guy.
And if, perchance, elephants are more your thing, click here to see something you might prefer.
This week, we're sharing some of our favorite felines—a tribute to "the cat ladies" who inspire, teach and lead us. Surely this is an authentic cat lady—complete with her kitten, sitting upon her shoulder, snuggling in the crook of her neck. Such hand-carved wooden sculptures are often called Blackforest Carvings, whether or not they are strictly from that specific Bavarian region of Southern Germany. Many carvings of this type were also made in Switzerland or Alpine (Northern) Italy. It seems that mountainous regions, the world over, lend themselves to artistic woodcarving. For one, there are always plenty of trees. Secondly, mountain farmers (or herders) may find themselves forced-indoors during the harshness of winter—giving them plenty of time to create seasonal crafts (and not just...
There is a fine line between a feline's sense of play and her instinct to hunt. Cats—of every size, shape and variety—are known to be stone-cold killers. For this reason, keepers of house cats are strongly encouraged to keep their charges indoors all the time (for the sake of the billions of birds killed by American cats each year). When playing with a cat—with a laser pointer, a string, a paper bag or a retractable mouse—it is clear that her skill as a huntress is tied to her sense of play. Is your cat trying to "kill" her catnip mouse? Or is she only playing with the lizard in the backyard? (And why does she so often drop her "trophy" at...
This week, we're sharing some of our favorite felines—a tribute to "the cat ladies" who inspire, teach and lead us. A cat's arched back. Is it a hiss, a stretch, or an appeal for a friendly scratching? This cast iron kitty, made in the Teens or Twenties, is a doorstop by Hubley. The Hubley Manufacturing Company was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1894. Shortly after the Turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century, Hubley began manufacturing cast iron animals—like the doorstop shown here—and other cast iron toys: cars, trucks and "heavy equipment." As the century progressed, Hubley shifted to cast-zinc items and became most well-known for its collectible scale model cars. This heavy, cast iron cat was designed to be a doorstop. It would look great, however,...
Is there any greater luxury than an afternoon nap? Even if you're too busy to indulge in such a pleasure, you might enjoy watching this little kitty, curled-up, enjoying forty winks. He is made of stoneware, finished with a thick and curdled mocha-caramel glaze. He will happily serve as a little paperweight. Or be content to just lie-around, perhaps on the windowsill, making the place even homier.
From Japan we have this wonderful Modernist house cat. Her simple—but sensuous—lines convey much feline energy and attitude. Made of heavy cast brass, hand-chased and polished to a mirror finish. A wonderful paperweight or "whatnot" to keep you company on your desk, windowsill or bedside table.
With so much in the news lately about "cat ladies," we thought that LEO Design was overdue paying tribute to them. Childless? Sometimes. Miserable? Not that I can see. This week we will share some of our favorite little felines, now in-stock at LEO Design. Each of these kittens will wait patiently at home—cheerfully and loyally—until "their special ladies" return home (whether from work, from vacation or from the polls). Here's to the cat ladies!
This little fella is sculpted in brass, finished with a verdigris bronze patina. The sculptor has captured perfectly the hunched, coiled energy of a feline—confident, relaxed, but ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Not unlike some of those cat ladies I know!
Let's end our week of LEOs in Summer with this little guy—a bronze sculpture of a small, but brave, lion. Spontaneously modeled (perhaps a touch Rodin-ish), this little boy has the letters COURAGE impressed upon his tiny tummy. It's a great sentiment for someone who is setting-out on a new journey. Or, perhaps, someone who is facing a daunting challenge. And, of course, it would be warmly-received by any LEO you know.
This week, we're presenting some of our favorite felines—The LEO in Summer—which can be found in our LEO Design on-line shop.
Here's another Turn-of-the-Century cast iron lion bank—probably first owned by a child who was being encouraged to save his coins. The two halves are separately cast, then screwed together. Whether used to hold coins or not, this handsome LEO has a richly-aged patina. He'll provide good company on a desk, bedside, or windowsill.
Antoine-Louis Bayre (1795-1875) is arguably the world's all-time greatest animalier—that is, a sculptor (or painter) of naturalistic animals. He began his studies as an apprentice jeweler, working under Napoleon's goldsmith. He was admitted into the École des Beaux-Arts, in Paris, and enjoyed spending time sketching the animals in the ménagerie at the Jardin des Plantes (the city's botanical garden which contained a small zoo—housing the animals moved from Versailles during the French Revolution).
Spelter is a metalic alloy—mostly zinc, usually combined with various other metals, like tin, antimony or lead. In the Nineteenth Century, spelter became very popular as a casting alternative to bronze. When cast, it conveys fine detail very well and is lighter and less expensive than bronze. But spelter is also very brittle (subject to cracking, if dropped). All manner of decorative objects—clocks, trophies, candlesticks, bookends—were made of spelter. After casting, the pieces can be patinated, like bronze, or painted, like the lion above. Being economical (and easier to work with, due to its lower melting point), spelter was perfect for making inexpensive toys like soldiers, animals or game board parts. Our lion shown here, standing atop his mountain,...
Lions have been used in heraldry for millennia. Different poses—called attitudes—would indicate different characteristics. The turn of the head, the lifting of a paw (or paws) were given different names. A Lion Rampant is one who is rearing-up, standing on his two back feet or one back foot. A Lion Sejant is seated, front paws together on the floor (like a house cat). A Lion Couchant is lying on his belly, head raised (like a sphinx). Our cast bronze lion, shown above, was modeled in the American Midwest, thus, I'm not sure if heraldic conventions were being observed. If I were to take-a-stab at identifying his attitude, I would say Lion Statant Guardant Sinister (which means, a lion standing on four...
Wednesday's LEO was stalking. Thursday's LEO was static. Today's LEO is fierce—roaring while he strikes with his left paw. The pair of cast iron bookends, shown above, portrays a ferocious lion as he might appear in a circus—or on a circus poster. Most of the original golden finish remains intact. And the "Cubist" boulder, under foot, reflects the times in which this lion was sculpted—in the Twenties. The sculptor succeeded in creating a model full of energy, action and fury. Indeed, this LEO is a monarch.
Before Venmo or Apple Pay or Zelle, people saved and spent real money—cash dollars and coins. Good savings habits were encouraged in youngsters by giving them a bank into which they could deposit coins—to save-up for a special purchase or to hold-fast for a rainy day.
The cast iron lion bank, shown above, was just such an item. In it, a child could save his or her coins and have a wonderful companion in their bedroom. Traces of the original golden paint remain on the lion which was made at the Turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century.
With all due apologies to Henry II, let us have a look at some of The Lions in Summer—at LEO Design. Over the next few days, we will present some of our favorite felines, currently in-stock in the LEO Design on-line shop.
Shown here, a stalking lion, crouching, creeping, preparing for the strike. Most lion bookends capture the "Majestic Lion"—a regal feline posing for the sculptor. Here we see him in-action. The sculptor has beautifully captured the tense, coiled energy of a big cat—ready to pounce. Our hunting hero is shown atop a jagged rock, perhaps a jutting cliffside or promontory. It's a nice, old-fashioned aesthetic, beautifully sculpted in the early Twentieth Century.
LEO is here, monarch of the zodiac! And, of course, that lucky lion is the namesake of our little shop, LEO Design.
For the next few days, we'll be sharing some of our favorite LEOs—now on-line and available for purchase on our website.
Shown above, a nicely-cast spelter lion. The details are superb and the cold-painting (that is, done after casting) is lovely. It is not marked but I suspect it was made in Austria or Germany.
This vigilant terrier will stay his post all day long—while also holding-open your door. He was cast in iron and hand-painted by Hubley in the early Twentieth Century. Hubley was founded in 1894 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They made toys and decorative objects including bookends and cast iron doorstops. In time, they produced cap guns and are best known for making collectible scale models of automobiles after World War II. This terrier can still hold-open a door. He would also look terrific on a mantelpiece, on a desk or guarding a windowsill.
We're spending a few days—During the Dog Days of Summer—sharing a few of our favorite dog-related items, now available on the LEO Design website.
This little fellow—a cast iron pup—is painted black and trimmed with a red bow. It was probably a child's collectible toy in the Teens or Twenties. His slouchy demeanor and attentive gaze are captivating—and oh, so cute.
We now find ourselves in "The Dog Days of Summer." This year, the period spans from 3 July through 11 August—the period during which Sirius the star appears on the morning horizon and travels its visible path across the sky.
Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky. Its name comes from the Greek, meaning "glowing" or "scorching." It keeps company with a larger cluster of stars, a constellation, called Canis Major (meaning "The Greater Dog"). For millennia, humans have noticed, studied and tracked this special star—often attributing great power to this celestial fixture.
Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) was an English naturalist, politician and "collector of curiosities." Although he had aristocratic ancestors, his family had fallen into "a less exalted position" by the time he was born. Through good marriages (and his support of the monarchy during the English Civil War), he re-established the Ashmolean fortune. After Charles II was restored to the throne, a series of important appointments helped fund his incessant collecting of art and antiquities. He was especially interested in the sciences—which were advancing greatly during the Age of Enlightenment.
Oxford's architectural grandeur should not distract one from the smaller details—the exquisite handcraft—which adorn this medieval city. The University is comprised of numerous colleges—each secreted behind well-fortified walls. Mystery abounds; what beauty lies behind each protective barrier? Luckily, there are abundant little teases which we, the General Public, are permitted to see. Little gems of sculpture decorate Oxford. Shown above, one of several carved stone lion gargoyles along the Western exterior wall of Saint John's College. The college, founded in 1555, is arranged around seven interior quadrangles. It was all-male until 1979 when the school became co-educational. Because of its lucrative real estate holdings (it owns the land beneath many 19th Century Oxford homes), Saint John's College is the wealthiest...
Heraldry is "the system by which coats-of-arms and other armorial bearings (that is, "military symbols") are devised, described and regulated." To some, the study of heraldry may seem like a frivolous pursuit. But the "art and science" of heraldry is deadly serious to those who employ it: monarchies, militaries, religious denominations, aristocratic families, and hierarchical societies. The use and regulation of heraldry is all about propriety and rules. Different institutions—sometimes over centuries—have developed heraldic customs and subtleties that must be complied with, monitored and enforced.
Mayo, Maypo, Maypole, Maple. Some days the puns flow more easily. Today's not that day.
Day-in and day-out, regardless of the month, this maple "dish" remains handsome and moderately useful. It is cast of pewter and finished with a brassy wash. The dip in the center makes it perfect for holding a few small objects: paperclips, cufflinks, rings or house keys. It would also "present" a small stack of business cards with "North-of-the-Border" style.
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, called Honu, have always been found living in and around the Hawaiian Islands, where I grew up. When I was a boy, most people thought of them as cute, nothing more. Other people hunted them, mounting their lacquered shells on their walls as trophies. But, since I left the islands for college in the early Eighties, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles seem to have crawled back, regaining their ancient, iconic status as native, indigenous creatures—as symbols of Hawaii and its people.
As a LEO, I am fond of cats reflexively. (I also love dogs and have one, Benji.) Alas, I remain unaware of any non-shedding cat breeds. Therefore, my appreciation for cats remains at a distance, for now. The cast iron cat doorstop, shown above, was made by Hubley (in Lancaster, PA) in the Teens or Twenties. It leaves no scattered fur, it scratches no upholstered furniture, it requires no litter box. It is, though, beautifully sculpted—the artist capturing the arched-back energy of a stretching cat (which appears to be smiling—or, perhaps, scowling).
In many parts of the world, May First is "May Day"—a day to honor laborers, those people who make their livings with their hands and bodies. Strangely, the notion of celebrating workers strikes some Americans with suspicion. Are these people afraid that workers will take over the government? Form unions? Ask for a raise? I have great respect for workers because they are (usually) craftsmen—people who have learned to build or fix things with their hands. Is a woodcarver's artful creation any more beautiful than the best work of a master cabinet maker? A superb painter? An exacting boiler installer? What about a tailor? A cook? A barber? Technical skills, fastidiousness and good taste serve all the trades (and craftsmen)...
Italian Count Ugolino of Pisa was involved in the political struggles which ravaged Medieval Tuscan society. Like Dante Alighieri, the Florentine, Ugolino found himself on the wrong side of the political fight. As a result, in 1289, he was imprisoned in the Muda, a Pisan tower, along with two sons and two grandsons. The tower keys were flung into the Arno and the five family members were cruelly starved to death. Dante (then exiled in Ravenna) featured Ugolino in his Divine Comedy. As the count lays starving in the tower, his sons and grandsons beg their beloved father to eat them—thus preserving his own life. While Dante illustrates the complex anxiety of a man pondering the canabilism of his offspring,...
Standing near the Eastern edge of Central Park, just behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is the Ancient Egyptian obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle. It is over 3,000 years old. During a visit to Egypt eleven years ago, our guide in Alexandria left us with this exhortation: "Please ask your government to send-back the obelisk." Actually, there had been a pair of obelisks in Alexandria: one which went to London and its mate which went to New York. In 1819, Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt, presented the two monuments as gifts—one to the Brits, the other to the Americans. At that time, one obelisk was still standing; the other had toppled-over (probably during the Crete Earthquake...
Oh, for the good old days! Wasn't life much simpler then? No worries to bear. No hunting for food. No clothes to wash. Well, we messed it up. And our lives have never been the same. The bookends, shown above, capture Eve luxuriating against a date palm tree—well before The Fall. No apple in sight. And, lest you blame Eve for Adam's fall, please recall, in Genesis, God told Adam that he was not to eat of the forbidden fruit. He never gave Eve such instructions. Nevertheless, when God questioned Adam about eating the fruit, he immediately responded, "The Woman made me eat it!" Such an outburst seems prophetic; for millennia to come, such "blame game" responses have echoed through...
Skyscrapers! Angles! Silvery-shine! This pair of bookends screams "Art Deco!" They were made in the Thirties or Forties by Russel Studios (Chicago), cast of their "Silverlite" alloy—a blend of aluminum and zinc. Aluminum has been used since the 5th Century BC. It was especially important for dying fabrics and paint-making. Although aluminum ore is plentiful, it still was enormously costly, due to the very complicated processes required to make it useable. It was difficult to separate the pure aluminum from its compounds. We are told that when Emperor Napoleon III of France (who reigned from 1852 to 1870) wanted to impress his dinner guests, he'd have the gold flatware removed and replaced with aluminum cutlery. The six pound "cap"...
When it comes to the arts, I love it all: painting, music, cinema, literature. Fine arts, performing arts, decorative arts. But, of all these disciplines, I think that sculpting will always be my favorite—especially the sculpting of stone. What art-creation could be more difficult, more physically taxing to produce? How does an artist "release" a perfect, delicate work from within the confines of its constricting material? To stand before a magnificent marble sculpture—a cold, dead piece of stone transfigured into a living, breathing human resemblance—is glorious to me. And The Master of All Sculpting is certainly Michelangelo Buonarroti. Michelangelo was a Florentine—born in just the right place at just the right time. Florence, circa 1500, was Ground Zero of...
The Twentieth Century ushered-in a new conception of "The Modern Woman." Even before World War One—at which time many men were sent-off to war and women filled their work world vacancies—change was already in the air. Women were campaigning for the vote. They were entering the workforce. And they were mixing with men (socially and professionally) in more ways than they had in the Victorian era. The Nineteenth Century stereotype of the demure, frail, house-bound woman was being replaced with images of the active, strong and (even) athletic woman. Charles Dana Gibson's "Gibson Girl" was just such a modern woman.
One of the things I dislike about Modernist architecture is its lack of beautiful handcraft—those hand-fashioned details which are the evidence that a human artisan had touched and built it. Masonry. Stone carving. Tile work. Back in the Art Deco Thirties, architects and builders still honored the artistic craftsmanship which gives a building its soul. The builders of Rockefeller Center—constructed during the dark years of the Great Depression—still managed to fund the artwork, the human handicraft, which makes the building special. Inside the building, frescoes by accomplished and famous artists decorate the public spaces: lobbies, hallways and stairwells. Outside, inlaid, painted bas relief panels honor the spirit of industry, commerce, trade work and progress. These exterior Art Deco panels are the aesthetic...
While watching The Graduate for the umpteenth time, I was reminded just how popular (and chic) Black & White interiors were in Mid-Century America. When I was a young boy, we had an ultra stylish neighbor down the street. One of the neighborhood kids informed me that she was a divorcée. Her daughter was a classmate and, on rare occasion, I was invited into their house. Her mother had decorated much of the house—including the living room (which we were never allowed to enter)—in Mid-Century Modern Black and White. Somehow, I began to associate Black & White interiors with "fast living" (whatever that meant to an eight year old boy). This notion was confirmed, years later, the first time I saw The...
A pair of male nudes—young scholars—have fallen asleep, heads resting upon their still-open tomes. They are bronze-clad, in which a sculpted "composite plaster" figure is electroplated in bronze. This "bronze skin" can be finished—patinated, painted or both—as bronze would be. Such bronze-clad items had the appearance of bronze but were much less expensive to produce. Think of them as 1920's "poor men's bronzes," sold in gift shops or museum stores (where one might have just viewed the original work). This handsome pair of Art Nouveau bookends appear to straddle the transition where Art Deco design was just around the corner.
A Satyr is the Greek mythological "nature spirit"—bestial, feral, sexually insatiable. Called Sátyros by the Greeks, they were semi-divine, often found accompanying Dionysius, the god of wine, music and randy living. Satyrs lived in the wild—in forests or in the mountains—were always male and they were "perpetually tumescent." These tricksters would interact with humans to make mischief or to seduce them. Satyrs have been portrayed in evolving ways: originally as a man with a horse's legs and ears; later more typically human; and, eventually, a man with the legs and ears of a goat. When Greek mythology started to inform and blend with Roman mythology, the satyr seems to have been conflated with Pan (a faun). It was during the Roman...
A calendar year, on Earth, is 365 days long. However, it takes a little more time than that for the Earth to complete its full revolution around the Sun—365.242374 days, to be precise. (A true "Earth Year" is 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, 1.1 seconds.) This small difference would add-up to 24 days in a century. After 100 years, the calendar would be off by nearly a month. Within 500 years, our Summers would be freezing cold! So, in 46 BC, Julius Caesar instituted a leap day—an extra day added to the calendar every four years—on his new Julian Calendar. This "intercalary date" was still not quite right (the adjustment was too much). So Pope Gregory XIII instituted his Gregorian Calendar (in...
So much for "Banned in Boston." The "General Hooker Entrance," which most people use to enter the Massachusetts Statehouse, is clearly—and proudly—signposted. You can't miss it. Which is why a certain (delicate) state representative has demanded the sign by pulled-down. She's upset by the possible double entendre—and the probable giggles of touring teenaged boys.
Joseph Hooker (1814-1879) was a Union General in the American Civil War. He was born in Western Massachusetts to an English-American family which arrived in the 1600's.
Boston is amongst my very favorite of American cities. My father was born in Chinatown, just a stone's throw from Boston Common. My mother was born across the Charles River in Cambridge. They met at Suffolk University in Downtown Boston. For the first 15 years of my life, we travelled from Honolulu to Boston nearly every summer—"It may be our last chance to see Papa"—where, by the age of nine, I had mastered the Boston Subway (The T) in order to visit the Museum of Science multiple times a week. I travelled to Boston this week to see the premiere of my husband's ballet, Raymonda, at the Boston Ballet (he designed the scenery and the costumes). Of course, I cannot visit...
When I first opened my shop on Bleecker Street in 1995, I carried a line of British men's shaving products made by George F. Trumper. Trumper opened his Mayfair barber shop in 1875. He was a talented perfumer, as well, and he produced a line of men's grooming products which quickly became fashionable with London's wealthy gentlemen. His little shop—still fitted with original Turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century mahogany cabinetry—is on Curzon Street. From the 1680's through the 1760's, Mayfair was the pastoral site of the annual May Fair, held the first two weeks of May (except when the Plague was raging). In time, however, the attractions—and the crowds—began to upset the delicate sensibilities of the gentility prompting the Grosvenor family (the Dukes of Westminster)...
If I had to pick one London neighborhood to call my own, it would be Bloomsbury—long a center of London's intellectual, scholarly, medical and literary enterprises. I have been staying in this active, human-scaled neighborhood for decades—surrounded by students and faculty from the neighborhood's several colleges, and employees of the numerous bookshops and many creative businesses in the area. The neighborhood was first called "Bloomsbury"—or, rather, "Blemondisberi"—in 1281, named after the French Blemond family who owned the manor here. In time, King Edward III (who reigned from 1327-1377) acquired the property, still largely rural, and gave it to the Carthusian Monks. Later, when Henry VIII was "disbanding the monasteries," this property was seized and given to one of the King's...
In nature, some of the cutest and cuddliest creatures can grow-up to become most fearsome—and dangerous. This Soviet porcelain bear cub might just be one such critter. The sculpture was made in the Sixties or Seventies in the Soviet Union. The symbol of the Russian Bear is an old one—at least from the 1500's. In the West, the symbolism is sometimes interpreted disparagingly: bears can be hulking, awkward and savage. Unpredictable and dangerous. But in Russia (and the Soviet Union before that), the bear has been a symbol of national pride: strength, fortitude, power. The earliest recorded use of the symbol is in Shakespeare's Macbeth (who says to the ghost, "What man dare, I dare. Approach thou like the rugged Russian...
True, Christmas is eleven months away. But it is coming!
This cast iron "Spanish Galleon" doorstop was made by Hubley (Lancaster, PA) in the Twenties or Thirties. It still has much of its original hand-painted color—though that paint is now well-aged (and full of character). Imagine this doorstop holding the door (or decorating the mantelpiece) of your favorite sailor's den or office. And imagine what style it would bring to someone's house at the shore.
The Peregrine Falcon has been capturing mankind's imagination for millennia. The Ancient Egyptians depicted their sun god, Ra, as having the body of a man and the head of the peregrine. And, for at least 3,000 years, people have been practicing falconry—the sport of training domesticated falcons to capture prey and return to their master. Peregrine Falcons are superb hunters. They are eager, agile, adaptable and oh-so-fast. Peregrines have been clocked at speeds of 242 mph while in "dive mode"—making them the fastest animal on Earth. First they fly to an altitude over 3,500 feet, after which they rocket downwards toward their prey. They tuck-in their heads, pull-in their wings, and contort their bodies for maximum aerodynamics. Even at these speeds,...
Has ever a year been more-anticipated? It's here, folks: 2024! So much to do! Big tasks which (sometimes) seem impossible. But, before we get-down-to-business, we at LEO Design want to wish you good health, much happiness and plentiful contentment in the New Year. The German porcelain sculpture, shown above, captures Baby Hercules, returning home to his cousin, King Eurystheus, after successfully completing his "First Labor." His cousin, the king, ordered Hercules (called Herecles by the Greeks) to slay the Nemean Lion—a fearsome beast whose golden fur was impervious to the weapons of mortals. Not knowing this, Hercules began his attack by shooting the lion with arrows—which simply bounced off the lions hide. So Hercules concocted a new plan: he...
When Cyrus the Great founded the First Persian Empire in 550 BC, it was the largest dominion in the world. Such a remarkable empire required cutting-edge defense—in this case, elephants! True, elephants were difficult to train and costly to maintain. But they did provide a competitive edge (at least for a while). When Alexander the Great came to conquer the empire in 334 BC, the elephant troops did cause him a moment of concern. Eventually, however, Alexander figured his way around the elephants and annexed Darius III's enormous realm to his sprawling Macedonian Empire.
In one of LEO Design's earliest years—on Bleecker Street—I acquired this pair of Italian polychromed terracotta angels, candle-bearers. Perhaps it was 1996 or 1997. I knew nothing of them, except that I liked them. They weren't old but they were Italian and they were sensational. On that first year, I placed them into the shop window on Christmas Eve. Over the next week, while they were still guarding the window, I got the occasional price enquiry but no serious interest. The next year (and the year after that) the angels made their way into the shop window on Christmas Eve. By now, the placement had become a bit of a ritual: at about 9:30 pm, half and hour before closing...
I need little encouragement to celebrate—to lionize—LEO. This Turn-of-the-Century cast iron "Ferocious Lion" coin bank will help remind us that LEO starts seven months from today! He is nicely-cast and wears an age-darkened, original patina.
A village woman—perhaps heading to market—enjoys a last minute snuggle with her kitten. This beautifully-carved wooden sculpture is likely from the Blackforest (Germany or Switzerland) or, perhaps, Eastern Europe.
Today marks the eleventh day of Advent—half-way through this year's 22 day season.
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Its length varies from year-to-year depending upon which day of the week Christmas falls. Advent—which comes from the Latin phrase Adventus Domini ("The Arrival of the Lord")—is meant to be a time of reflection, preparation, and waiting-in-readiness for the Lord (though the social and commercial buzz of modern-day Christmastime provides much distraction to even the most intentional of Christians).
The West German Modernist terracotta Holy Family, shown above, was made in the Sixties or Seventies. Its simple lines—and natural colors—make it suitable for display year 'round, not only at Christmas.
I've been to Russia twice—once to Saint Petersburg and once to Moscow—and I had air tickets for a third visit (and a valid tourist visa) in-hand when Ukraine was invaded by Russia in 2022. My plans were dashed, naturally. My husband, Robert Perdziola, a scenic and costume designer, was in the final stretch of opening a ballet, The Pharaoh's Daughter, at the Mariinsky (in Saint Petersburg) at the time of the invasion. Everything had been designed (two years before), constructed (months before) and the opening night was 3 months away. All that was left for him to do was to oversee the load-in, technical rehearsals, and final costume fittings. Last minute adjustments are always a part of any production's lead-up to opening....
Happy Hanukkah! The Festival of Lights begins tonight at sundown, lasting for eight consecutive nights. Each night, another candle from the menorah is lighted—using the Shamas ("the helper") candle at the center of the fixture. This Modernist Hanukkah Menorah is made of cast bronze. "Hanukkah Sameach!"
Like trees on an icy, Winter landscape, these pressed-glass trees will provide a gleam of frosty delight in your home. The pair—one is taller than the other—would look great under your tree, on a windowsill, or atop your mantel. Place them where the light will catch their branches—or will shine through them.
These little red owls—suitable for year 'round companionship on your bookcase or window ledge—are handmade in Peru. When I had my store in Greenwich Village, I kept a large wooden bowl of them near the front of the store—piled high with owls. Each little gourd is collected, dried, burned (for dark color), painted and hand-incised (providing highlight detail). Due to the varying shapes and decorating, each individual has his own style and personality. We sell them in trios—a small "parliament" of owls, carefully grouped to provide a bit of variety in each trio. They will provide beautiful color on your tree or will sit happily on your mantelpiece or windowsill.
No, I am not a turkey - And, yet, I'm here to say - May your Thanksgiving wishes - Come true upon this day. I may, yes, be a birdie - Found nesting in the grass - But, please, just leave me hidden - Don't serve me under glass. HAPPY THANKSGIVING from LEO Design.
What makes a good bird dog? First and foremost: obedience and an eagerness to please. A natural desire to retrieve is a must. They need to be athletic, have stamina, and be good in the water. A good nose is important. And a "soft mouth" means that they will inflict minimal damage on the retrieved game.
Traditionally, the best breeds have been "Retrievers" (naturally): Labradors and Golden. Spaniels, Pointers and Vizslas are also good. But, at the end of the day, the best bird dog will be the one who enjoys the activity and is compliant, obedient and willing to perform.
I've always loved this scrambling little tree frog: able, cute, tenacious. He is handsomely sculpted—in deep bas relief—in dark stoneware, then finished with a wash of soft green glaze. A wire on the back makes him easy to hang. It can also be installed within a grouted tile project, if you desire
Tomorrow is General Election Day 2023—a precursor to "The Mother of All Elections" one year from now. I'm sure that tonight, many-a-candidate is hoping for a "lucky result" for him- or herself. Perhaps this sterling silver wishbone, shown above, will add a touch of luck? Or you might know someone, on the cusp of greatness, who can use just such a boost of confidence?
After unfolding its spindly legs, and taking first steps—tentative and shaky—a newborn foal will soon find its way to its mother's milk. This first drink is rich with colostrum—packed with antibodies which a newborn foal needs to create its own immunity system. Usually, amazingly, by the end of the first day, a newborn foal will be cantering (quite comically) around its mother's paddock—like a rocky hobby horse, as much up-and-down as back-and-forth. Horses are born with its legs at nearly adult length; they will only get a little longer as the horse grows up. It takes a week or two before the foal will begin to nibble at grass or its mother's grain. Domesticated horses may start eating grain in...
This great ape raises his arms in victory—a Modernist sculpture by the Danish artist Knud Carl Edvard Kyhn (1880-1969). Under the artist's careful supervision, this piece was produced in 1969. The original was sculpted by Kyhn from which a small number were produced each year—enough to satisfy collectors without over-saturating the market. Each piece is date-marked which makes it easy to determine its year of manufacture. This particular sculpture is an appropriate gift for the monkey lover who has just completed a Herculean feat: graduation, publication, business start-up
Here a mother monkey cuddles her little one. Is that a worried expression on her face? Made by Knud Carl Edvard Kyhn (1880-1969) during his many years working with Royal Copenhagen in Denmark. Kyhn was an important figure in the world of Danish Modernist ceramics—especially figural sculptures. He was also a painter and illustrator. This sculpture was produced in 1969.
A pensive monkey contemplates great thoughts. This sculpture was made by Danish artist Knud Carl Edvard Kyhn (1880-1969) during his long association with Royal Copenhagen. It was modeled by the artist and is finished in Kyhn's signature "Sung" glaze.
For thirty years, I have been collecting works by the Danish sculptor Knud Carl Edvard Kyhn. He was born in 1880 and, after completing art school, began his career working for various Danish ceramics manufacturers: Royal Copenhagen, Herman Kahler, Bing & Grondahl. The bulk of his working years was at Royal Copenhagen where he designed (and supervised the production of) a line of stoneware sculptures finished with "Sung" glazes. Most of these were animals though there were the occasional people or mythological creatures. Royal Copenhagen was in the business of producing "collectable artwork" so they carefully produced a limited number of each design every year (enough to satisfy the collector's market without over-saturating the market with too many pieces). For this...
Let's end our procession of Autumnal Offerings with this fat and fluffy bird—apparently well-fed and ready for the Winter! Is that a disgruntled look? Or is he just feeling a bit overstuffed? He is cast in brass, finished with a verdigris bronze patina. Bigger than a golfball—but smaller than a tennis ball—this little bird would make a wonderful paperweight or quiet companion on your desk, windowsill or bookshelf.
With Autumn in full-swing, the bears are making final preparations for their months-long Winter hibernations. In the Fall, bears enter a period of "hyperphagia"—gorging on up to 20,000 calories per day (and gaining three pounds per day). They need to prepare for up to five months of confinement (depending on their climate zone) during which they will not eat, drink or eliminate waste. While they may not technically "sleep" right through their entire hibernation, their respiration and heartbeats will drop significantly, conserving precious energy, energy which they will need to complete the hibernation. Bear breeding season in in the late Spring or Summer. Pregnant bears, however, can "suspend their pregnancies"—that is, forestall their fertilized eggs from implanting into their...
Amongst the delights of urban home ownership is contending with the wildlife—wildlife which one would think should be living somewhere else (perhaps in a forest). Crows select their urban Winter night roosts every October (and you should hope that that tree is not in your yard . . . or over your car). Deer mow-down any tender shoot as it struggles to break-free of the ground. And the squirrels work all day, every day, to get into (and empty) your wild birdseed feeder. Despite these realities, crows, deer and squirrels all make wonderful decorative subjects in one's home. The squirrel on the stoneware ceramic plaque, shown above, is sculpted in perfect bas relief—from the tense hunch of its back to...
As much as I love the film Gosford Park, the notion of shooting pheasants out of the sky is abhorrent to me. Such beauty deserves to live and thrive! Nevertheless, a "shooting party" is a time-worn, aristocratic Anglo-Autumnal pastime.
Lucky for me (and all those beautiful pheasants), this handsome bird is crafted of finely-painted terracotta. It was hand-made in Italy, by Valeria Vestrini, probably in the 1980s. The painting is exceptional. It is numbered 53/500.
Back-to-School cannot be (must not be) all study and drudgery. American Football plays a major role at many schools across the nation. Get into the school spirit with this Japanese crystal football by Sasaki, c. 1960's -1970's. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
By now the kids (small and big) are back-at-school. These days, "hitting the books" may be an obsolete phrase. But it shouldn't be. All the best people love and collect books, don't they? And, I don't mind adding, the cream of that crop of booklovers also need lots of bookends! Shown above, a pair of Arts & Crafts ceramic bookends made by R. Guy Cowan of Cowan Pottery. They portray a sculpted monk bent over his tome. The piece is glazed in a wonderful, organic dark green. The Cowan workshop was opened in 1912 in Lakewood, Ohio. Initially, most of the production designs were the work of Cowan himself. The studio closed temporarily while Cowan was serving in World...
The ancient city of Jerash is amongst the best-preserved Roman cities outside of Italy. It lies about 30 miles North of Amman, Jordan (previously known by its Greek name, "Philadelphia"). Ancient Greeks called the city "Gerasa." While very old human remains have been found in the area (possibly dating from 7,500 BC), the city really got its start under Alexander the Great—while he was heading home from Egypt in 331 BC. After Greek rule, it was possessed by Jews, Romans, Byzantine Christians, and Muslims. After a massive, destructive earthquake in 749 AD, the city seems to have been abandoned for several centuries until Crusader armies camped here in the Twelfth Century. In time, Ottoman Muslims took the city. The years...
We started our short trek into Petra rather early in the morning—hoping to avoid the heat, dust and crowds. We were only partially successful. It seems that Petra is high on many people's "Bucket Lists." And the mid-day heat is oppressive. Every step on the way into the complex requires the same step taken on the way out. The sandstone mountains and rocky outcrops create a beautiful, otherworldly atmosphere. The anticipation builds as we get closer to Petra. Along the way, we begin to see tombs—both modest and ambitious—like the "Obelisk Tomb" (ambitious) shown above, carved out of the solid rock of the sandstone cliffs, probably in the First Century AD. Bodies of the aristocratic family members would have been...
It's our last day in Egypt and we decided to explore Cairo's Coptic Quarter—a neighborhood populated with some of Egypt's diminishing Christian population. It's a lovely change of atmosphere from the gritty, bustling commotion of modern Cairo. Almost zen-like. Though full of people, the neighborhood seems to have a calm and centered air. The word "Coptic," in its simplest sense, means "Egyptian." "Coptic Christians" simply means "Egyptian Christians." Though, today, the word Coptic (alone) has come to refer to Egyptian Christians. The Coptic Orthodox Church has its own pope and rites and has been separate from the Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox Churches since 451 AD. Coptics name Saint Mark (who was evangelizing in Alexandria, Egypt) as their founder. It...
The Temple of Horus was built in the Ptolemaic (or Hellenistic) Period (332-30 BC) when the Greeks were in-charge. Alexander the Great kicked-out the Persians from Egypt in 332. He crowned himself King, though he was careful to observe all Egyptian customs and artistic requirements when building structures to commemorate his powerful (and deified) reign.
Shown above, a black granite sculpture of Horus the falcon, the Patron God of royalty, strength and protection. Here he wears the pharaonic crown. In Ancient Egypt, gods were king and kings were gods. Horus is one of the most important gods in the Ancient Egyptian pantheon, and this sculpture (as pharaoh) reinforces the belief that kings were gods on Earth.
Today we visited Aswan and took a motorboat out to Agilkia Island to visit the Temple of Philae Complex: a temple dedicated to Isis and the unfinished Trajan's Kiosk. In 1902, the Aswan Dam was built. Though it helped Egypt to control and regularize the flow of the Nile (so crucial to agriculture and the feeding of a growing population), the dam also endangered numerous ancient archaeological sites and the Egyptian homeland of the Nubian people. A second dam further upstream, called the Aswan High Dam (conceived in the Fifties), also would have submerged numerous important archaeological sites. When the controversial dam opened in 1970, it displaced many Nubians living in that area. They were forced to relocate; some moved down...
Hatshepsut (1507-1458 BC) had real Girl Power. She was the daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I, married her half-brother, King Thutmosis II, and served as his queen. When the king died, Hatshepsut's stepson, Thutmose III, was crowned Pharaoh at the age of two. Hatshepsut served as Queen Regent to her stepson, ruling in his stead. That, however, didn't suit Hatshepsut's ambition, ability and power. She crowned herself King and began portraying herself with all the male titles, dress and appurtenances that came with the masculine office. Hatshepsut built many important monuments during her reign including the Temple of Karnak and her own impressive mortuary temple, shown above. Hatshepsut insisted in being portrayed as a man (as seen in her sculpture as...
We awoke this morning to a pastel view of The Valley of the Kings, across the River Nile, in Luxor, Egypt. We were eager to explore the hot and dusty limestone crevices of this hidden valley—a place where pharaohs, queens and (invited) noblemen have lain buried for thousands of years. These desert mountains are certainly an inhospitable place for nosy on-lookers or ruthless grave robbers. The pharaohs (and their teams who planned their funerals) believed that this desolate place would provide privacy and protection until their royal souls could come back and re-animate their carefully preserved corpses. But people did find their graves—grave robbers, mercenaries and scholars—some as far back as antiquity and some in the Twentieth Century. Though the...
Today we sailed to Qena in Upper Egypt. Observe that "Upper Egypt" is to the South (closer to the source of the Nile) while "Lower Egypt" is to the North, closer to the Mediterranean (where the Nile ends). The Nile has provided life-sustaining water and transport to Ancient Egyptians (and Modern Egyptians, too). When one travels "Up the Nile," he is traveling South, towards the river's headwaters. In Qena, we visited the Temple of Dendara, shown above, dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Hathor. It was built circa 54 BC, during the Roman occupation. Carved and painted decoration during this time will often show the Roman (or Greek) conquerer depicted as a Pharaoh, accompanied by the gods and...
Why shouldn't Egypt be hot? It's 90% desert. And it's August. Nevertheless, the sights are worth every drop of sweat. Today we travelled to Giza, the site of magical, mysterious and iconic sights. Even a person who has never been here before might feel as though s/he knows it . The images already are ingrained in every curious mind. We had been here once before, ten years ago, and are impressed with how the Egyptian government, the Ministry of Antiquities, has improved the visitor areas around the sites since then—all for the improvement of protection, scholarship and public education. But it's still hot and dusty. Occasional breezes will blow fine limestone sand into one's hair, upon one's moist skin and...
A Phalanx of Pharaohs assemble to greet visitor at the Turn-of-the-Century Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Big ones, little ones, stone ones, wooden ones: they are all impressive, commanding, and meant to display the best attributes of the Pharaoh King. They are also beautiful.
We also see King Menkaure (who reigned in the late 2500's BC) in a "triad" sculpture alongside two goddesses, Hathor and Bat. He wears the conical crown of an Upper Egypt king. The trio is carved in grey-green schist and it was found in Giza in 1908. It was carved between 2530 and 2494 BC.
Let's mark the last day of LEO with this sensational, impressive piece. It is a beautifully-rendered model of the 1840 "Walking Lion" by French animalier par excellence Antoine-Louis Barye (1795-1875). Barye, who had little formal education, began his artistic career working for his father, a goldsmith and military engraver. He later was apprenticed to Napoleon's master goldsmith. After military service (1812-1814), he found work in a painting studio, followed by work with a sculptor. From 1818 to 1823, Barye studied at the esteemed École des Beaux Arts. His public debut as a sculptor occurred at the Paris Salon of 1831—after which he generated many government, religious and private commissions. When key patrons died, and commissions slowed, Barye began producing limited...
René Jules Lalique was a French jeweler, interior decorator, medal sculptor, and (most famously) the designer and maker of luxurious decorative art glass wares during the Belle Epoque period. He was born in Aÿ, France, in 1860 and moved with his family to Paris at the age of two. As a teen, he took drawing classes at school, supplemented with night courses at the Ecole des arts décoratifs. When Lalique's father died, René became an apprentice jeweler to a Parisian goldsmith. learning the trade of jewelry production. He continued taking art classes at the Ecole des arts décoratifs. At twenty one, René began providing freelance jewelry designs to such luminaries as Cartier and Boucheron. At 26, Lalique founded his own jewelry...
Let's end our parade of Summer "Hot Dogs" with this curious little pup—a cast bronze canine, a symbol of "Puppy Love." For on the bottoms of each of his paws are found the letters L, O, V & E. Give him to a sweetheart. Or keep him for yourself, a reminder of that special someone who once (inexplicably?) haunted your consciousness. This little rascal—impressionistic though he is—radiates playful curiosity and energy.
We are counting-down the last of the "Dog Days of Summer"—a forty day period scheduled to end on 11 August. To commemorate these waning days of Summer, we'd like to share some of our favorite "canines" from the LEO Design collection. Consider sending one as a gift to your favorite dog lover.
Our little pup, shown above, is as winsome as he is determined. Formed of cast iron, he is painted—mostly black, but finished with a red bow. Click on the photo above to learn more about him.
Before the days of residential air conditioning, windows were left open—and doors required "fixing-open," to prevent them from slamming-shut in a breeze. A wooden wedge-shaped offcut was all one needed to stop a door. But how much fun is that? Metal foundries stepped-in to produce a wide variety of doorstops (and other metal household items), often highly decorative). Hubley Manufacturing was one such company. Founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1894 by John Hubley, the company made a range of decorative sand-cast iron doorstops, some of them modeled after different breeds of dogs. The process started by carving an excellent wooden model—complete with details like fur, musculature and facial features. The model was then pressed into a tray of sticky sand,...
We are counting-down the last of the "Dog Days of Summer"—a forty day period scheduled to end on 11 August. To commemorate these waning days of Summer, we'd like to share some of our favorite "canines" from the LEO Design collection. Consider sending one as a gift to your favorite dog lover.
Speaking of the Dog Days, this "Slouchy Puppy" really hits the mark. His sculptor imbued the form—cast brass finished with a rustic verdigris patina—with a slouchy puppy's energy (or lack thereof). He could be used to hold-up some hardbacks. But he was made to sit on your coffee table, bookshelf or nightstand—relaxed, attentive and always ready to join you on the next adventure.
We are counting-down the last of the "Dog Days of Summer"—a forty day period scheduled to end on 11 August. To commemorate these waning days of Summer, we'd like to share some of our favorite "canines" from the LEO Design collection. Consider sending one as a gift to your favorite dog lover.
"Man's Best Friend" is certainly apt—to anyone who has had and loved a dog. This sculpted bird dog—standing quietly attentive—should remind any sportsman of a favorite hunting companion. He's cast in brass and finished with a rusticated verdigris bronze patina. He'll stand loyally on your desk or bedside table—awaiting the signal to fetch your game.
LEO is here! It's 23 July, the first day of LEO—namesake, of course, of my favorite shop, LEO Design. It is also my X-tieth birthday, one I'd prefer to ignore. (Don't we get a three year "birthday rebate" because of Covid?) Instead, let me turn your attention to the regal lion, majestic embodiment of the LEO sunsign. This winsome feline guards the deposits held at Dollar Bank on Pittsburgh's Fourth Avenue—once known as the city's Wall Street. The bank was founded in 1855 and this handsome (and imposing) flagship location was built in 1871 (with 14,000 tons of Connecticut brownstone). The original pair of lion sculptures were carved by 28-year-old German immigrant, Max Kohler (assisted by a 25-year-old Welshman, Richard...
