We celebrate the first few days of LEO with a "parade" of leonine beauties—now in-stock at LEO Design. We celebrate the first few days of LEO with a "parade" of leonine beauties—now in-stock at LEO Design. Lions are, perhaps, the most "lionized" of all the animals. They symbolize courage, beauty, royalty and leadership. Unsurprisingly, lions have been used in the heraldry of many cultures in many times. Heraldry is the system of using, arranging and regulating the aesthetic elements in crests, coats-of-arms, military insignia and other symbolic "heraldic" decoration. Even lions themselves are classified by the position they assume in such heraldry. Each differing position is called an "attitude." A lion standing on his hind legs is a...
Today is the first full day of LEO—acknowledged King of the Zodiac! The Sun entered "LEO airspace" overnight and it will remain there through 22 August. The LEO zodiac sign holds much significance for us. The shop, as you can see, was named after the regal lion. And the store was built and opened during the LEO period (though I gave myself a "short day" on my birthday). And LEO marks the highpoint of Summer. Who doesn't like Summer (at least a little bit)? LEOs are known for their energy, adventure, gregariousness, their generosity and their affinity for the limelight. They love being in-charge, especially if they have a First Mate close at hand (and especially a loyal Taurus)....
Although I'd much prefer to announce the end of the dreadful disease, my observation today is far less significant: today is the last day of the sun sign Cancer. Having no crabs in current stock, I have opted for their watery neighbors instead—seashells. This assortment of eight different seashells were made of cast pewter in Italy. Each is slotted to hold a place card at table. They can also be used to hold a note, photograph, business card or descriptive label. And they would provide sophisticated punctuation at your next dinner party's table setting.
Whether you live in London or Lisbon or Lubbock...it's soooo hot! What would be nicer than taking to the water—sailing across a cooling bay or mountain lake? Step aboard! Certainly, your generous host needs a little gift, a token of your gratitude. Give the captain a pair of "Sailor's Decision Makers": a pair of cast pewter tokens which can be flipped to make your choice—"Sail" or "Get Off the Yacht."
When I lived in New York City, I held a much different attitude about squirrels than I do today. Yes, back in the city, I did acknowledge that squirrels are large, climbing rodents. But they seemed to me a benign part of the landscape—a natural, "living accessory" whose playful charm was to be observed and enjoyed in parks and in trees. And, certainly, squirrels were worthy of artful commemoration in ceramics, wood and metalwork. Today, living in an old house in the city of Pittsburgh, these charming little devils have lost a bit of their charm. They will conquer any bird feeder, leaving our feathered friends starving. They chew wooden fences and house trim—and will invade the hidden crawl spaces and nest,...
Summer's here—the heat, the humidity, the bugs—and, boy am I glad that I will not be traveling this holiday weekend! Instead, I'll pretty much carry-on with my regular routine: clean and shoot new merchandise, organize the papers on my desk, maybe wash and vacuum my car. And one more thing! I'll try to spend a few hours reading during the day. At the moment, I have two books-in-process on my nightstand (atop two dozen more, yet to be started). The only problem is that I read at night, after climbing into bed. I can usually get through a couple of pages before I find myself getting drowsy, reading and re-reading (and re-reading) the same line over and over (and over)...
For the "cowboy" Dad: a cast bronze cowboy hat. Though it was designed as a decorative paperweight, it can also be used to hold a small supply of clips, some business cards (in the brim) or one's index card "to do list." Upside down, it could hold even more: jelly beans, rubber bands or dog treats.
For the handy Dad: a Danish Modern "Plumber at Work." This heavy stoneware tile was made by Karl Otto Johansen for Bing & Grøndahl around 1970. It was part of a series of plaques commemorating various trades: plumbing, carpentry, blacksmithing. Johansen also sculpted decorative bas relief plaques in themes of nature and animals.
For the Super-Cool Dad: a cast bronze polar bear sculpture, wonderful to hold or display on the desk. The Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus, was given its name because it is considered a "maritime mammal"—one who lives its life in, on and around the sea. In the case of the polar bear, it spends most of its life on floating sea ice, hunting for its favorite food: tasty seals. Alas, because of global warming—and the melting of sea ice—polar bears have been quickly losing their hunting grounds. Today, the polar bear is considered vulnerable to extinction. The male polar bear is called a "boar" and he can weigh over 1500 pounds. Females ("sows") top-out around 800 pounds. The species is remotely...
For the cultured Dad: a bronze-clad bas relief plaque of Hungarian composer and pianist, Franz Liszt. Liszt was fascinated with his father's playing of the piano and string instruments. By seven, his father was giving him lessons. By eight, little Franz was composing rudimentary music. His talent caught the attention of music patrons who sponsored his studies, as a youngster, in Vienna. When the 16 year old Franz's father died, his family moved to Paris where the boy needed to work to help support his family. He taught piano lessons and found himself racing around the large city to keep his far-flung appointments. Working long, irregular and late hours, Franz began drinking and smoking—habits he would maintain throughout his life.
For the Dad who labors: a pair of heavy cast iron bookends from the McKeesport Steel Casting Company, made in the 1920's or 1930's. The foundry, on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, was one of the hundreds of steel mills, metalworks plants or fabricators which dotted the banks of the Steel City's three rivers: the Monongahela, the Allegheny and the Ohio. (Why these industrial companies needed to be placed right along the rivers could be the topic for another, more depressing, journal entry.) Most of the foundry's output was far more industrial—less "sexy"—in nature than these bookends. In fact, they were not known for making end-consumer products. McKeesport made heavy component parts for big industry: commercial boiler pipe fittings, freight train axels...
For the handy Dad: a British "shop class" hand truck with wheels made from early Twentieth Century coins. Probably made by a young English tradesman (learning his trade), it is just the right size to hold a supply of business cards.
For the Dad in shining armor: a pair of bronze-clad bookends bearing a handsomely-sculpted bas relief image of Saint George Slaying the Dragon. Made in the 1920's, the bookends began their lives as finely hand-sculpted, original models from which moulds were made. The moulds were then used to cast the actual bookends in a "composite material"—that is, a fortified blend of plaster and other strengthening ingredients. Then the bookends were placed into a liquid bath containing finely-ground bronze dust. When electrical voltage was applied—zzzaaap!—the bronze dust clung to the composite, forming a thin bronze "skin" around the bookend. After cooling, the bronze could be patinated or painted like any other "true bronze" sculpture. At the time, such bronze-clad objects were...
For the rough-riding Dad: a heavy cast bronze bison, King of the Prairie. Classic symbol of the unspoiled West, bison have clawed their way back from the edge of extinction. This handsome and substantial beast will provide good company on Dad's desk—and bring back just a touch of Dad's wilder, earthier days.
For the Dad of Mettle: a three-dimensional puzzle of finely-engineered solid brass. Once it's securely reassembled, it makes a great paper weight and an even better conversation piece. Solid, well-assembled and just a little heavy. Just like Dad.
As we countdown the days 'til Father's Day, we would like to share some Handsome Gifts ideas sure to please any Dad. For the Dad who loves the sea: a meticulously hand-crafted rowboat. From the carefully bent gunnels, to the hand-carved oars, to the little coil of rope, the details of this little vessel are wonderfully executed. More than a toy, it is a loving remembrance of afternoons on-the-water. It could also be used to hold a small supply of business cards on the desk. Here's a question for Dad: What's the difference between a "boat" and a "ship"? This question will provoke animated responses, especially when a navy vet is in hearing distance. Traditionally, a "ship" is any vessel...
Let's end our "Symphony in Black & White" with this pair of English tin penguins—hand painted into their black and white tuxedoes. Created as a children's toys in the Twenties or Thirties—perhaps as members of a circus, zoo or ark menagerie—these tin animals would have usually experienced hard wear in the unforgiving hands of a youngster. Now, approaching their tenth decade, they are an elegant and whimsical reminder of a time gone by, when children's toys did not require batteries or wifi service.
While we may still yet enjoy a few crisp evenings—blessedly allowing us to leave our windows cracked-open all night—the "bear's share" of the cold weather will be well behind us. Though that bad news won't dissuade this happy little chap: a Danish Modernist stoneware rolling polar bear sculpture made by Royal Copenhagen. A lightly painted face adds to the sculpted texture of the modeling (see the waves of fur playing against his chubby body).
The Abingdon Sanitary Manufacturing Company was founded in 1908 in Knoxville, Illinois. The company quickly distinguished itself by making superior "sanitary ware," that is toilets, sinks and water fountains. Their high-quality clay blend (from England, Georgia and South Dakota) resulted in a very durable product. Their satin glazes were also beautiful; Abingdon was the first plumbing fixture manufacturer to produce color-glazed options (in 1928). Abingdon was tapped to produce all the plumbing fixtures for the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. But the Depression—and WWII to follow—was not easy on the building trades. Orders for sinks and toilets (ummm...) went down the drain. In the late 1930's, Abingdon made the dramatic decision to begin crafting small, decorative and gift items. Using...
A loving thank you to all the women—mothers, step-mothers, aunts and educators—who have devoted their lives to nurturing and developing us. Perhaps the most important of all vocations, mothering mostly toils-on despite too-infrequent expressions of gratitude (and even lower pay). The best mothers will admit, rather promptly, that their reward can not be measured in words or money. Nevertheless, we grateful beneficiaries, could certainly do a better job of expressing our humble gratitude.
The Danish Modernist sculpture, shown above, captures an ursine mum lifting her little one in a moment of playfulness. It is sculpted in stoneware by Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen and is dated 1957.
The Scottish Terrier—also called the Aberdeen Terrier or, more popularly, "The Scottie"—is one of the five recognized breeds of terriers from Scotland (a list which includes the Cairn, Skye, Dandie Dinmont and West Highland Terriers). The breed was developed as "ratters"—animals which would catch and kill small vermin indoors or on a farm. The breed is known for being bright, alert, quick, rugged, independent, feisty and territorial. They become very loyal to their families, often singling-out one or two individuals for an extra-close bond. These traits make them pleasant house pets and good watch dogs. But their stubbornness—and wariness of strangers—can make them unpredictable around people they don't know. It is advised to watch them carefully around the erratic movements of...
Three months from today—on 23 July—the Sun enters the sign of LEO where it will stay for the following month. Anyone born during that month-long period will have the honor and distinction of being able to claim LEO as their sunsign.
The little bronze sculpture, shown above, celebrates LEO every day. Turn him over and you'll see the word "Courage" impressed into his tummy. It's a gentle (and perfect) reminder for your favorite Leonine: Stay Strong!
The Borzoi is the modern name for the Russian Wolfhound (which was the common name for the breed before 1936). In Seventeenth Century Russia, North African "sighthounds" (that is, dogs which hunt with sight and speed, rather than smell and endurance) were cross-bred with local, thick-coated dogs. They became popular with the Tsars who used them for hunting wolves. A pair (or trio) of the Wolfhounds would be sent after a sighted wolf. The dogs would attack the wolf's neck, eventually subduing and immobilizing it until the hunter could catch-up and kill the animal with a knife. The breed was so highly-esteemed that it was illegal for commoners to breed the dog; they could only be given by the Tsar....
The Art Deco Movement frequently "lifted" historical aesthetic themes from the past. Sometimes from the distant past. Egyptian motifs were well-employed by Art Deco architects, decorators and designers. So were Greco-Roman elements. This reviving of the Classical Past lent an air of timelessness to the design—and a recognition of the Western World's intellectual, social and political roots. The polychromed bookends, shown above, are a sculpted bas relief representation of "The Graphic Arts." Scribes bend-over their drawings, draped in hand-painted robes, sitting beside a hand-painted forest. Sculptural elements, such as this, were often employed in Art Deco architecture and interior decoration. A walk through and around Rockefeller Center in New York, for example, will provide numerous examples of applied sculpted (or...
The Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt, completed around 2500 BC. It is also one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. Two thousand years ago—during the Greco-Roman Period—rich and powerful citizens made the difficult journey to stand before what was at that point an antiquity. The Sphinx crouches along the West Bank of the River Nile, carved out of the bedrock under the plain. The large mass of extraneous stone, removed during the carving, was intended to be used to build a temple surrounding the Sphinx (though this was never completed). The Sphinx stands 66 feet high and 240 feet long. It was originally painted, archaeologists believe, because traces of color have been found in...
It's beginning to look a lot like . . . Spring. But Christmas is a short nine months away. Start your shopping now! Here's a pewter Christmas Tree, made in Los Angeles, which could be hung upon the tree or in a window. It can also be used as a holiday candle snuffer. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
We're now several weeks into The Year of the Tiger—one of the twelve characters in the twelve year "Chinese" Zodiac cycle. Tigers are the LEOs of the Asian Lunar Zodiac: courageous, assertive, thrill-seeking, quick-tempered, leaderly and desirous of being the center-of-attention. Notable Tigers include Queen Elizabeth II, Tony Bennett, Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder.
This little tiger—cast in brass and finished with a verdigris bronze patina—will sit quietly waiting for just...the...right...moment to spring. Until then, his tense energy will remain coiled and waiting (on your desk, bookshelf or windowsill).
At 11:33 am (Eastern Time) today, the Earth experiences the Vernal Equinox—that Springtime moment when the Earth's tilt is perfectly balanced against the Sun. Neither the Northern Hemisphere nor the Southern Hemisphere leans closer to the Sun. The result: the lengths of day and night (on this date) is almost equivalent all around the globe. It will also be the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere (and the start of Autumn in the South). From this day forward, for three months (until the Summer Solstice), each day will have increasingly longer sunlight hours than darkness. Today is also the first day of the sun sign Aries. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac—a fact befitting of Aries' hard-charging...
Art meets engineering meets intriguing plaything. This finely-engineered and beautifully sculpted "toy" could stand-alone as an objet d'art on your desk. It would certainly make a nice (and heavy) paperweight. But it is also a puzzle; its meticulously-honed solid brass members assemble into the geometric shape you see above. Made in Brooklyn, this little work of art will prove hard to resist. Visitors to your office will be unable to not pick it up!
The 1920's marked the birth of a new Modern Woman. During World War I, while many American men were at war in Europe, women joined the labor force as never before (often replacing men who had been sent-off to fight). More women than ever experienced a taste of moving within the commercial working world and enjoyed increased independence, the result of earning their own wages. After the war, some women did return to home and hearth. But many more women seized the opportunity to reinvent their roles in society. Working outside of the home was one of the biggest changes. But style and fashion underwent changes, too. "Bobbed" hairstyles reflected the modern, sporty times. Clothing was revolutionized: out went the corsets...
Though this little sculpture is simple, the artist has deftly captured the slack energy—and curiosity—of a slouchy puppy. He is cast in brass and finished with an aged verdigris bronze patina. He would happily serve as a paperweight on your desk or provide companionship from your windowsill. His larger sibling is also currently available.
We interrupt our regularly-scheduled programming (Victorian cufflinks) to make note of this exceptional day: Tuesday, Two Twenty-Two Twenty-Two!
Two golden (polished bronze) eggs sit in this rustic cast-bronze nest, lovingly crafted in Canada. Such an interesting desk item will certainly provoke visitors to pick-up and fondle the clutch. The nest, alone, would make a perfect clip holder, ring saver or place to throw your keys near the door. And, of course, the two eggs will forever commemorate this special date.
And now: back to our regularly scheduled programming...
Saint Valentine was a Roman priest (and possibly bishop) who ministered to persecuted Christians in Third Century Rome. His evangelical efforts were not appreciated by the Roman authorities. He was arrested more than once, the final time by the Emperor Claudius Gothicas—who came to like Valentine. However, when Valentine pushed the Emperor to convert to Christianity, the monarch provided his own ultimatum: either Valentine renounce his faith or he would be clubbed and beheaded. The priest refused to renounce and was martyred on 14 February 269. Valentine's relics have proved popular for centuries—and remain so to this day—especially amongst those seeking love and marriage. Portions of his purported relics are venerated in the cities of Rome, Madrid, Vienna, Prague, Dublin, Glasgow, Birmingham,...
Six months from today—on 23 July—the sun in the heavens will enter the zodiac constellation of LEO, which is, naturally, my favorite sun sign. This also means that we've recently entered the zodiac sign of Aquarius—which is the "polarity" (or polar opposite) of the LEO birth sign on the annual "wheel of zodiac signs." In Greek mythology, Aquarius provides a remarkable story. Tros, the King of Troy, had a beautiful son. He was so beautiful, in fact, that Zeus (the King of the Gods) wanted him for himself. One day, while the youth was tending his father's flocks upon Mount Ida (in Phrygia, modern day Turkey) Zeus took the form of a giant eagle and swooped-down to carry-off the young...
Though the days now are getting longer and longer—ever sooo s-l-o-w-l-y—we crave more and more light. And we'd like it now! The shortest day of the year is a month behind us, but the longest day of the calendar is still five months away. Let these wrought iron Brutalist candlesticks help you illuminate your home. They were made in Germany after World War II and may have been avant-garde altarsticks from a Modernist church. The square bobeches will accept either a round pillar candle or a square columnar candle. Heavy bases provide stability while the rugged aesthetic adds a touch of primitive charm to an Arts & Crafts of Modernist interior.
Polar Bears, those fascinating hunters of the Arctic Circle sea ice, have suffered the devastating effects of global warming and ice melt in the last couple of decades. Because they hunt on sea ice, they are classified as "marine mammals." Their favorite food is fresh seal—whose ample fatty blubber helps the bears survive the lean times between meals. In recent years, the image of a mother polar bear and cubs, balancing upon a too-small chunk of melting ice, has become the heartbreaking symbol of a world where rising temperatures spell destruction for the vulnerable creatures who live next to (and exist upon) the sea. This Mid-Century Modernist sculpture captures a polar bear in happier times—rolling on the ice. It was made in...
Four of my favorite things come together in this one sensational Handsome Gift: bookends, sculpture, horses and white pottery! Abingdon Pottery (Knoxville, Illinois) was founded in 1908 and quickly made its name as a premier manufacturer of plumbing fixtures and other "sanitary ware." They used very high quality clay—some of it imported from England—which was fired into "vitreous china" with exceptional durability and uncommon attention to finishing detail. The Great Depression devastated Abingdon's incoming orders, so they began making smaller, decorative gift items (using the same clay) to keep the business afloat from 1934 to 1950. During this short period, Abingdon made vases, bowls, bookends and other decorative household items which were discontinued when the demand for plumbing fixtures returned....
Wishing all—customers, friends and family—a Merry Christmas and a New Year of health, happiness and contentment.
Thank you for your support this season—and throughout the last 26 years.
It's Christmas Eve—and we continue our annual tradition (now in its 26th year) of putting our Italian Christmas Angels into our shop window (or what now serves as our on-line "shop window").
In 1995, the year I opened LEO Design on Bleecker Street, I purchased this pair of Italian terra-cotta angels. I found them in an Italian "handcraft showroom" in the "Gift Building" at 225 Fifth Avenue (now shuttered). I was aware that they were not antiques, but that's all I knew about them. I just knew that I loved them! In time, after a bit of research, I learned about them—and came to love them all the more.
There is an old story in my family about attending any holiday party: invitations were always issued with the reminder, "Ring the doorbell with your elbow!" It was (supposedly) an exhortation to never show-up empty handed. Now, I myself never heard any family member make this stipulation; the account has always been fourth-person hearsay. And, from what I know of my elders, it seems out of character for them to have suggested such a requirement. I'm guessing that one person said it one time—after which, like so many family tales, the story gathered momentum and embellishment. It is a good story! This ceramic bear, made and hand-painted in Russia, is a lovely "hostess gift" (should one be required or desired). He has a little...
Christmas is two weeks away! There is still time to order and receive your gifts by Christmas. But please act quickly! We always try to ship purchases on the day of receipt—if they arrive by Noon (Eastern). Orders received on the weekends (when the Post Office is closed) are posted Monday.
This sweet pewter Christmas ornament was hand-cast in California. It also makes a useful (and festive) candle snuffer.
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, one of the great solemnities of the Roman Catholic Church. But there is significant popular misunderstanding of the theology. Many people—even some Catholics—don't understand that it refers to the immaculate conception of Mary, not Jesus.
Christian theology includes the concept of "Original Sin," which is basically the "fall from grace" that all humans experienced as a result of Adam & Eve's decision to break with God (in Genesis). It is an inherited state which, Christians believe, can be rectified with baptism. Roman Catholics believe that baptism is the essential, redeeming sacrament through which people are "born again" into a life with Christ.
Tonight is the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, the annual Jewish "Festival of Lights." The celebration commemorates the Maccabees victory over the Greeks and the miracle of the oil lamp. In the Second Century BC, the Jews found themselves under the thumb of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. The Greeks insisted that the Jews worship their god, Zeus, and they desecrated the Jewish Temple (the "Second Temple") by slaughtering pigs within it. Many Jews rebelled. But the Maccabees rose-up and took-on the Greek Army. Despite a small number of warriors, the Maccabees defeated the Greeks and reclaimed their temple. While cleaning-up their house of worship, they were disappointed that they only had enough lamp oil to last through one night of...
Dear me! It's the final day of November! Where has the month (or the year) flown? Here in Pittsburgh, we've already enjoyed little flurries—with just enough snow to whiten our garden. Winter will be here in three weeks. And Christmas four days after that. Dear me!
This little bronze sculptural grouping—a spotted doe and her fawn—are nicely cast and finished in a light verdigris patina. Though I am not certain, I suspect that they might be Japanese (from the Teens or Twenties). The mother remains watchful while her baby scratches blithely, oblivious to life's dangers. The fine detail, nice patina and the sensitivity of the sculptor's perceptive modeling all make the group a wonderful touch of nature brought indoors.
This pretty bird has little to worry about. Thanksgiving is for turkeys.
We at LEO Design wish all of our customers, vendors and friends a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyful Holiday Season.
It was 1995. And, during my little shop's First Christmas on Bleecker Street, I refused to decorate the store before Thanksgiving. I would defend The Tradition! I was adamant not to hang one pine needle until Thanksgiving Day! So I crept into the shop on Thanksgiving morning around 6:00 am. I turned on NPR; Bob Edwards was interviewing celebrity chefs on their favorite Thanksgiving offerings. (Paul Prudhomme was making a "Turducken.") The store would be closed for the holiday. I was working alone but had nothing but time to relax and decorate: window, garlands, holiday merchandise, and a 10 foot tall Christmas tree, loaded with Christopher Radko ornaments (which would be for sale, of course). As I took my first sip of...
The very best art is that which conveys the greatest effect with the seemingly simplest effort. Michelangelo Buonarroti conveys the entire Biblical story in David's right hand alone: relaxed at his side, loosely cradling a killer stone, yet potentially, undeniably powerful—if ever pushed into action. John Singer Sargent can capture—in one long brushstroke—the sheen and contours and tension of a woman's elegant dress, draped over underskirts, stretched over crossed legs, lighted from a window (elsewhere in the room). And the incomparable voice of Karen Carpenter—without vocal gymnastics and with no affectation—can effortlessly pierce our hearts with melancholy and longing while singing Superstar. The greatest artists know how to communicate great or complex or heartrending understanding in the most economical manner. Great...
The legendary Bard of Stratford-on-Avon created some of English Literature's greatest characters, tortured relationships, and dramatic scenarios. He coined numerous words and many clever turns-of-phrase. And he also spelled his name in a variety of ways. Some scholars claim that "William Shakespeare" (which is the contemporary standard spelling) has been spelled up to 80 different ways over the centuries. Even in his lifetime, Shakespeare signed his name with different spellings—including "Shakespere" and "Shakspeare." In the Eighteenth Century, "Shakespear" was believed to be most authentic. In the Romantic Mid-Nineteenth Century, "Shakspere" or "Shakspeare" (as shown in the photo) was considered most accurate, based on his most common signatures. On Shakespeare's tomb, in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-on-Avon, the Bard's name is...
I've sold dozens of elephant bookends over the years. Elephants have always been a classic and popular theme in "bookshelf accoutrements." I guess I also like the idea of promoting the welfare of elephants living today—both those in captivity and those in the wild. At some point—I guess it started with the Feng Shui trend of the Oughts—a minority of customers would refuse to buy any elephant unless its trunk was turned upwards. "It is unlucky, otherwise," they would say. Now, in truth, when dealing with items made 100 years ago, there was nothing I could do to change the direction of an elephant's trunk. I would best remain happy to buy a nice elephant, regardless of the point of its proboscis....
In 1880, French Modernist sculptor, Auguste Rodin, was commissioned to produce a monumentally-sculpted main door for a planned Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. The aesthetic theme and subject matter was left to Rodin's discretion, however, it was agreed that the door would be delivered five years later, in 1885. Rodin worked on the commission (on and off) for 37 years, until his death in 1917. Rodin, inspired by the great Italian Poet Dante Alighieri, selected the theme "The Gates of Hell," taken from The Inferno. He designed the model for a massive bronze door, embellished (on and around the door) with 180 cast figures (the smallest being about 6 inches tall and the largest a little over three feet). Rodin...
In 1894, John E. Hubley opened a metal casting workshop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His product line was metal industrial parts for electric trains. Come 1909, finding that business was slack, Hubley converted his production to cast iron toys and home furnishings objets: animals (especially dogs), bookends (many of them dogs), and doorstops (more dogs). Hubley also cast vehicles—from horse-drawn carriages (earlier on) to scale model automobiles (later in the company's life). At its peak, Hubley was the largest metal toy manufacturer in the United States. The terrier doorstop, shown above, is composed of two separate sand-cast iron parts (the left side of the dog's body and the right side of the dog's body). Each dog began its life as two...
Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in 1265. He is considered Italy's greatest poet and one of the most important writers in the Western Canon. His most important work, The Divine Comedy, was groundbreaking in its day—and remains an artistic touchstone to this day. Dante's depiction of Hell, Purgatory and Heaven (Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso) exercised wide influence on many writers and artists (painters, sculptors, musicians) who came after him—through which Dante affected the popular conceptions of the afterlife for centuries to come. He did not write in Latin, the language of the educated elites. Instead, he chose to write in the vulgate, the popular language of commoners (which allowed more people to read and understand his writings). The popularity of The Divine Comedy demonstrated...
The Barbizon School of French painting flourished in the Mid-Nineteenth Century (approximately 1830-1870), an important and innovative movement before Impressionism entered the scene (later in the century). The British painter, John Constable, was exhibited at the Salon de Paris in 1824. His landscapes, naturalism and manner of painting directly from nature was an antidote to the more formal "Academic" French painting that had been en vogue—and some of the younger French painters were inspired by his fresh, soft, Romantic Realism.
When there's a man around the house, things always seem go better when he's both handsome and useful. Likewise, these bookends will not disappoint.
A muscular, fully-rigged ship plows toward the viewer, beautifully-sculpted with energy and intent—the ship seems to leap forward, off the bookends. The iron castings have been dressed in a brass finish and supplemented with a verdigris patina. They would make a handsome and useful addition to your library, office or bookcase.
This little rowboat is much more than a toy. This vessel is a beautifully hand-crafted model, complete with details like bent wood gunwales, carved oars and coiled lines. It would be nice standing alone, as a conversation piece, and it would also be a nice business card holder on one's desk.
I am not sure if the model is the work of a gifted amateur—either from scratch or out of a kit—or it it was commercially produced. Nevertheless, it is a small marvel of craftsmanship and attention to detail—and will be a constant reminder of wonderful hours spent on the water.
America was built with the power of human muscle. Some of this labor was purchased by-the-hour (often cheaply), some of this labor was expected "as a condition of family life," and some of this labor was taken outright. It's important to remember and honor those who have used—and those who continue to use—their bodies, sweat and strain to build the future and make things better for the rest of us. The term "labor" is subject to varying definitions. And, in America, people tend to reveal a reflexive reaction to the word—sometimes positive, other times negative. The plight of "Labor" in America is a challenging one. Over the decades, increasingly-educated Americans have developed a growing disdain for the notion that they might have to work with...
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,...
For an animal which has been long-glorified as an iconic American symbol, the bison has endured some pretty shabby treatment. At the founding of the country, as many as 100 million of the shaggy beasts roamed the wilderness. By the 1980's, only 1000 bison remained. And, yet, the bison has always been a potent symbol of American "rugged individuality." Luckily, the modern population is creeping upwards. First: the name. The American creature is a bison, not a buffalo. Buffalos are from Asia and Africa; Bison are from Europe and the Americas. Buffalo horns are longer and grow like a "handlebar mustache" (starting as a fat, flat "helmet" and curving as they grow outwards). Bison horns are shorter, sharper and grow more upwards...
World History is replete with great artists. And I love many of them! Yet, if nudged (even lightly), it's easy for me to name the greatest of all time: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475 -1564). He was a great architect: note the dome of San Pietro in Rome. He was a great painter: note the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, also in Rome. And he could really lay-out a square: note the fabulous Piazza del Campidoglio, yes, in Rome. That's a lot of Rome for a Florentine! But it makes sense, for Rome was pretty much the center of the world in Michelangelo's time. He was brought to where the rich and powerful resided. But don't feel too badly for Florence; he...
Today—at long last—the world re-enters the zodiac sun sign of LEO, after a long eleven month wait. And what an eleven months it has been! Additionally, tonight, we will also experience a full moon, known as a "Buck Moon" since this is the time of year when male deer are found in fullest antler.
In truth, I'm not a very superstitious person, and I only enjoy astrology to the extent that the different signs really do seem to describe the personalities (and idiosyncrasies) of the twelve group members. Perhaps the best reason I have for acknowledging the zodiac is that fate has granted me such a good (and flattering) birth sign: LEO!
We've just reached the mid-point of Winter in Australia. Forecasts call for a low of 50º F in Melbourne today—a temperature many would relish during the depths of Winter's chill.
This hand-painted tin kangaroo was made in the 1920's or 1930's as a collectable toy for a small child. Like many Australians, he was made in England before leaving for sunnier shores. Maybe he was part of a larger collection, for example, a collection of "zoo animals" or "circus creatures." But he's single (at the moment) and waiting to find a new home. Please click on the photo above to learn more about him.
Today is Bastille Day—called Fête nationale in French—the annual celebration commemorating the Storming of the Bastille in 1789. The Bastille was a fortress in Paris in which political enemies were sometimes held—often unjustly and simply at the whim of the King. The Storming of the Bastille, during which some of the King's political prisoners were liberated, is a major landmark in the French Revolution, a struggle which ended the country's monarchy. 14 July is still celebrated today as one of France's most important "historic" holidays, perhaps comparable to 4 July in the States. There are parties, parades, a great deal of pageantry and showy displays of military power. And lots of Red, White and Blue. Another treasured symbol of those who fought for Liberté, egalité...
In Ancient Greece, about 20 miles southwest of Corinth, a fearsome monster—the Nemean Lion—prowled the village of Nemea, killing and eating the villagers. King Eurystheus ordered his cousin, Heracles, to combat and kill the Nemean Lion—the first assignment of The Twelve Labors of Heracles. (The Greek name, Heracles, is often translated to its Roman version, Hercules.) Heracles attempted to kill the Nemean Lion with his bow and arrows. But the lion was endowed with a Golden Fleece, impervious to weaponry. The arrows simply bounced-off his sides. So Heracles needed a different approach. He took a club and entered a cave with two entrances. One entrance he blocked-off. Through the other entrance, he lured the powerful lion. He clubbed the lion, stunning it, and strangled the...
Long before the Beatles confounded music-mystery cryptologists with their 1967 psychedelic psalm, this little toy walrus delighted a child between the world wars. He was made in England of cast tin and was nicely hand-painted. Perhaps he was part of a larger group—a collection of wild creatures, zoo animals, or the passengers on Noah's Ark—a menagerie now since scattered around the world.
While the extreme heat blazes in the Pacific Northwest, here in the East we've been granted a reprieve from our recent high temps. Last night the temperature dipped to 57º—a remarkable blessing when it's been so hot lately. In fact, I had to get up in the middle of the night to (partially) close the bedroom window. America prays that the devastating hot weather lifts and that people in the West pass-through this awful chapter of weather history. Some high-level emissions remediation would also be a big help. Hot as it is down here, these playful penguins are keeping cool (in style). The pair is made of hand-painted cast tin—made in England in the 1920's or 1930's—and would have been a...
July begins tomorrow—no lion—which marks the start of the second half of the year! It is also the month which introduces the wonderful sun sign, LEO! This bronze lion sculpture is probably English, made in the late Victorian era. In heraldry, he'd be referred to as a Lion Couchant, that is, bearing the "attitude" of lying on his belly, paws forward, looking forward. Lions have been well-utilized in royal heraldry from the Medieval age, and each "pose" (or attitude) has a different name and conveys a different meaning. Family (or individual) crests, military banners, and even decorative carving have captured lions in a wide variety of poses like the Lion Rampant (standing on his hind legs, front paws raised in attack), the...
Over the years, I've collected and sold many pairs of bookends. America's 16th President—Abraham Lincoln—has always been a popular subject. By now, I thought I was familiar with the various "Lincoln Designs" which had been made, mostly in the 1920's. And then I found this pair, which I had never seen (nor owned) in the past. They were made by Bradley & Hubbard and have the characteristic heft for which the manufacturer is known. But, in this pair of bookends, the President's image, which includes his upper torso, is fully in-profile (not a three-quarter resemblance) and the sculpted portion is a bit smaller than most other renderings—creating a handsomely tasteful depiction. To my eye, it looks a little more "old fashioned" than...
Leonidas Hornsby had had enough! Something had killed a few of the sheep on his Missouri farm and Hornsby vowed to kill the next dog or wolf who strayed onto his property. Sadly, on 18 October 1869, Old Drum wandered onto Hornsby's land. Hornby ordered Old Drum shot. The dog belonged to his neighbor (and brother-in-law) Charles Burden. Burden really loved Old Drum! And he vowed that Hornsby would pay! Burden sued Hornsby for $100—what he believed was just compensation for the financial value of the dog plus the emotional loss incurred. Burden argued that Old Drum was much more than a working asset or possession. Indeed, Old Drum was a companion and valued family member. The case was almost...
These extraordinary bookends, made almost 100 years ago, celebrate a quiet moment of a father spending time with his son. The father is President Abraham Lincoln and he is reading to his youngest son, Tad, who would have been about 10 or 11 years old at the time. The bookends were sculpted by artist Olga Popoff Muller as a special commission for the New York Decorative Arts League in 1922. She based the composition on a well-known photo by pioneering photographic portraitist Matthew Brady (taken in 1864). I have not been able to find much information about the sculptress, Olga Popoff Muller—a surprise considering the quality of her work as shown in these bookends. She was born in New York City...
Few animals are as impressive as a massive bull elephant—worked-up, stomping and ready to protect his family. These majestic creatures will often live to the ripe-old-age of 65 or 70 when left unmolested in the wild, not that much different from humans. And, yet, the animal is so improbably designed—with its heavy, lumpy body, thick, lumbering legs, ivory tusks, and ridiculously extended proboscis. I'd love, someday, to see a group of elephants in the wild. I'm sure it would be an experience I would never forget.
As we approach Father's Day, we'd like to share a few select items—perfect for that "Dad with Great Taste." See them—and many other great gift options—in the on-line store at LEO Design. This very heavy pair of cast steel bookends were probably created to be given away by the foundry's salesmen—left behind on the desks of the purchasing agents who patronized the company, or perhaps sent as a holiday gift. Handsome, yes. Useful, sure. But also a constant reminder that McKeesport Steel Casting Company was at-the-ready—always prepared to write-up that next important order. They were made in the 1920's or 1930's in McKeesport, one of the many steel towns of Greater Pittsburgh, "The Steel City." Because these were made for "promotional use...
I have never been a hunter. Or have I?
As an antiques dealer, I've frequently woken-up well before sunrise. I've dressed for inclement, outdoor weather. I've prepared my gear (cash, notepad, bubblewrap). I've travelled long and inconvenient distances to "the best hunting spots." And I've methodically stalked my quarry—sometimes in frenzied competition with my fellow hunters. The goal: to make a "clean kill" (that is, a profitable purchase) after which I will "dress" (clean and prepare) the game, and drag it back to the shop (hoping it will someday feed my family). Once in a while, I will keep a particularly prized specimen as "a trophy" for my collection.
Amongst the nicest—and heaviest—bookends I've ever carried, these stunners were made by Judd Manufacturing in Wallingford, Connecticut in the 1920's. They are made of cast iron, but refined with a bronze finish, which provides a smoother, more sophisticated surface appearance. And the sculpting is very well done. The handsome chief, shown in full, feathered headdress, is modeled with great skill and attention to detail.
The sunsign LEO begins in two months—23 July! Spelter is an alloy, that is a blend of metals, with zinc as the main component. Like bronze, spelter can be cast with very crisp, delicate details. Yet it is lighter and less expensive than bronze, making it an attractive alternative for sculptures and other metal objets (especially those which are not subject to rough handling, extreme weather or heavy use). The Viennese are well-known for their excellent cold-painted bronze and spelter sculptures. "Cold Painting" is the process by which finished sculptures are hand-painted with an enamel paint after the metal object has been cast and prepared. Great detail and fine paintwork is possible—though the paint is subject to chipping if roughly handled...
With the increasing trade between Europe and Asia in the 1600's, Europeans got their first exposure to many Asian craft forms previously unknown in the West. Rich Europeans went wild! They loved the Asian ceramics, woodcarving and metalworks brought-home by merchants—and they spent big money expanding their collections. One of these "new" crafts was lacquerware. Europeans couldn't quite figure-out how to duplicate the Asian laquer process (in part because the necessary tree sap did not grow in Europe). Furthermore, European collectors began to suspect that Asian lacquer craftsmen were holding-back their very best pieces for their domestic collectors (which is not surprising). So, in the 17th Century, the Italians developed a faux laquerware which came to be called "Japanning." It did not use the proper Asian tree...
Iridescence, also called goniochromism, is a phenomenon throughout the natural world—found in animals, vegetables and minerals. Simply put, iridescence is the event in which surfaces appear to gradually change color as one's angle of viewing is changed (or the angle of light source shifts). Iridescent materials reflect light across all (or part of) the rainbow spectrum. In contrast, pearlescent color usually means the reflection of sparkling white light along with the predominant "base" color of the object. Iridescence occurs when something "interferes" with the consistent reflection of one pure color of light off the physical surface. It could be the varying thicknesses of the reflective material, an uneven (reflective) surface, or something else in the underlying structure of the surface. Consider a soap...
After four years without (live) animals in the White House, first family pets are back! Champ and Major are two male German Shepherds, the family pets of the Biden family. Champ, now twelve years old, was purchased by Joe Biden from a Pennsylvania breeder to fulfill a promise to his wife—that he would get another family dog if he and Barack Obama won the 2008 election. Major is three years old and is the first rescue dog to live in the White House. Joe Biden's father would sometimes call the future president "Champ"—and this nickname was passed along to the older dog. The younger dog may have received his name as a tribute to Biden's deceased son, Beau, who was an Army...
Today begins the one hundred day countdown to LEO. Summer—and the leonine sunsign—will be here before you know it! This little cast iron bank, made around 1900, still has traces of his original golden paint.
Before eating from the forbidden "Tree of Knowledge," Adam and Eve had a pretty sweet life. No hunger, no work, no trouble, no shame. And a beautiful garden, to boot. But such wasn't to last—and here we are now.
This pair of cast iron Art Deco Bookends, made in the 1920's, show Eve luxuriating before a date palm tree in the Garden of Eden. Let them bring some stylish "Biblical Literacy" to your desk, den or bookshelf.
Though Spring is here, there's plenty of winter left in the atmosphere. We are still having occasional 20° nights. Our rose plants are showing nice, early leaf growth—though, disappointingly, flowers are still weeks away. So, until we are blessed with a real Spring rose, this Japanese crystal rose will have to suffice.
This rose-form paperweight, crafted of hand-cut crystal in Japan, is a wonderful object to behold and a certain conversation piece.
Wishing all LEO Design customers a Happy Easter and a Springtime filled with beauty and promise.
This jolly "Running Rabbit" plaque is sculpted in stoneware, fired and finished with an aqua glaze. It comes with a hanging wire on back.
In the ancient Roman calendar, "The Ides” were the mid-point in a month—either the 13th or 15th, depending on the length of that particular month. Each month’s Ides were celebrated in honor of Rome’s top deity, Jupiter, and a “scapegoat” was paraded and sacrificed to that god.
The Ides of March—15 March—was extra-special since March was the first month of the year. Commoners spent the day picnicking, drinking, and making merry. The scapegoat in March would be an old man, dressed in animal skins, who would be (symbolically?) driven from the city—perhaps representing the expulsion of the just-completed, old year.
On this day, 2/12—212 years ago!—Abraham Lincoln was born at his family's "Sinking Spring Farm" in Kentucky. Raised to perform hard physical farm labor, he and his family moved several times during his childhood, eventually to Illinois when Abraham was 21. Lincoln was not a pampered child, born to comfort and luxury; he faced difficult challenges throughout his life—the most difficult, no doubt, as the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln was handed a country on the brink of civil war. Conservatives in the South were outraged at the election of this gangly, progressive leader (and alarmed that he would challenge their economic prosperity, based on enslavement). The month after his inauguration, the Civil War began.
Felines are the "royalty" of the pet world. They sleep up to 16 hours a day and hunt at night (if they can), sometimes bringing their catch home as an offering to their human consort. There are 38 species of cat worldwide, with all but the "house cat" being wild. But do not let your little puss fool you! Within it's small and silky frame beats the heart of a LEO huntress—and she retains all the instincts of her larger, wilder relatives.
While the squirrels in the frigid Northern Hemisphere are snuggling in their nests, in the Southern Hemisphere, tree frogs are busily scampering in the trees, eating bugs and making the next generation of little climbers. There are approximately 30 varieties of tree frog in the United States—and 600 species in Central and South America. Worldwide, there are approximately 800 species, all related by the climbing structure of their feet. The largest tree frog is about 5 inches long while the smallest comes-in at under one inch long.
Squirrels do not hibernate. But, when it's bitterly cold, as it is now, they will stay home with their nest companions—entangled in a comfy-warm "communal sleeping ball." This helps them to keep warm during the coldest days of winter. When the temperature rises a bit, they will venture out of the nest, retrieving the food they buried in the earlier seasons. It has been estimated that a squirrel will hide three years worth of food during the summer and fall seasons—ensuring that even those squirrels with terrible memory skills will be able to survive the winter well-fed.
It's here, gentle reader. The climax we've been waiting (and waiting and waiting) for: today Georgia voters will decide which candidates will represent them in the US Senate. They will also be deciding the course of American politics for the next two years (or longer).
Our little cast bronze sculptures face-off in the photo above. The "Lucky Elephant" has the letters L-U-C-K stamped into the bottom of each of his feet. The "Kick-Ass Donkey" bears the letters K-I-C-K under his hooves.
In 1995, shortly after I opened my first shop on Bleecker Street, I found an Italian importer from whom I purchased this pair of angel sculptures. They are cast and carved terra-cotta, finished with a colorful polychrome finish. I knew that they were not old—and that's all I knew. They spent the fall sitting atop the shop's fireplace mantel and, on Christmas Eve, I put them into the window. They were price-ticketed and available for purchase; alas, no one seemed to want them. For the next two years they made their annual Christmas Eve pilgrimage into the shop window, still for sale—but, to my surprise, they remained unsold. I had several price inquiries, but no one seemed willing to take...
This stately elephant sways patiently while waiting for payment. He's a turn-of-the-century cast iron coin bank, still showing traces of his original gold paint. Click on the photo above to learn more about him.
No lion. Christmas is less than one week away! This jolly lion, posing proudly atop his barrel, has run away from the circus and is looking for a good home. He still wears his original gold paint and will happily guard your coins (he's a bank). Click on th photo above to learn more about him.
Abingdon Sanitary Manufacturing Company, in Knoxville, Illinois, was founded in 1908 and remains in business to this day. Their initial business was making plumbing fixtures—sinks, toilets, urinals, water fountains—and their exceptional quality made them the gold standard for the industry. They used a dense, heavy white clay (some of it imported from England) which created very durable and watertight fixtures with beautifully smooth surfaces. In 1928, they became the first manufacturer to produce colored fixtures. In 1933, they were chosen to produce all the plumbing fixtures for the World's Fair in Chicago.
This little ceramic pup is begging, "Pretty Please!" He knows that there will be a presidential inauguration just two months from today! Frozen in anticipation, he's waiting to bark with glee when his candidate sails-through. But expect a howl if his vote is overturned.
This little terrier was modeled by Danish sculptor Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen. This pup, bearing a date mark of 1980, was designed years earlier. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Yesterday, just before Noon (US Eastern Time), the election was called for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The POD (Party of Democracy) will take the White House in January!
There's a chance that the losing side, the GOP, will attempt to confuse the legitimacy of the results or sue-their-way to delaying the awarding of office. This could have terrible results for the nation; in the midst of a pandemic, it's important that a new administration is brought-in by the outgoing administration in order to come-up to speed before Inauguration Day. May "The Good of the Nation" become everyone's greatest goal.
As of early Saturday morning, the Democrat's lead seems insurmountable. And, yet, the press seems unwilling to acknowledge Joe Biden's win. Some say it's because this year's election is so uniquely unpredictable—with so many mail-in ballots, loads of provisional ballots and a stark partisan difference between those who voted by mail and those voted in-person on Election Day. Others speculate that the media is intimidated by President Trump—or, perhaps, giving him a sporting chance to make-up some ground before announcing the inevitable. Hopefully, any day now...
The count continues and the head-to-head battle continues! The POD is in the lead—but stay tuned: the numbers can change as the mail-in ballots are delivered and counted!
This little mascot of the Dems, the Donkey, has the letters K-I-C-K marked to the bottom of each hoof. "Kick Ass!" To learn more about him, please click on the photo above.
All the votes were cast by Tuesday—and, yet, the counting still goes on! The duel will continue until all votes are received, organized and counted—and no one's precisely sure when that may be.
These little bronze creatures represent the mascots of the two largest political parties: the elephant represents the GOP (the "Grand Ol' Party" or the Republicans) and the POD (the "Party of Democracy," also known as the Democrats). Please click on the photo above to learn more about the elephant.
For five long years, America has been running-in-place—enduring an election campaign that just won't end. While the contesting may not cease tomorrow (and chances are, it won't), it is, nevertheless, The End of the Trail. Tomorrow the voting will end and we will wait as final ballots are received and counted. May the good team win. These bookends, made in the 1920's, depict a bas relief representation of James Earle Fraser's End of the Trail sculpture. Fraser, moved by the plight of Native Americans displaced from their homelands, sculpted an exhausted Indian atop his (equally exhausted) horse who have been pushed West, to the edge of the Pacific—where they can go no further. Fraser began working on the idea as early...
