I found the sculpture, above, in London last Autumn. It was in the possession of a friend, a collector of British Sculpture, and he agreed to sell it to me. This particular collector prefers bronzes and this fellow (above) is sculpted of patinated plaster. It is signed “D M Venning” and is quite handsome (more […]
Wishing you a Happy Lunar New Year and Prosperous Year of the Horse! People born in the Year of the Horse tend to be clever, kind, and communicative—perhaps a little too much so, at times. They enjoy the company of other people, the larger the crowd, the better. This year may be a bit of […]
Born on this day in 1862, Edith Wharton was born into a respectable New York society family. She was related to the Rensselaers and her father (George Frederic Jones) came from the family after which the phrase “keeping up with the Joneses” reputedly was based. Having entrance to New York society, Edith proved a keen […]
Another recent acquisition is this pair of handsome, Art Deco Horse Head bookends. Cast of heavy, solid glass, they really provide a stately end-cap to your library collection. Keep them on desk, bookshelf, or credenza—or, place them atop your mantle piece. Please stop-by the shop to see them in person—along with a lot more newly-acquired […]
A Merry Christmas to you and a grateful Thank-you, as well. LEO Design will be closed today. Please visit us tomorrow; we will be open from Noon until 6:00 pm everyday through (and including) New Year’s Day. And—if you cannot help yourself—our on-line shop is always open. Thanks again.
I just loved this little fellow and am happy to have him in my shop. He is Edwardian English, of cast brass, and sculpted to convey nice detail and character. He is amongst the new arrivals, just landed after my recent trip to England. Click on the photo to learn more about him. More […]
We’ve just received another beautiful menorah—this one finely-cast in bronze. The exceptional detail is rendered using the “lost wax method” whereby molten bronze is poured into a mold formed around a detailed wax version of the same menorah. It is then finished by hand and patinated. The lost wax method is the traditional means of […]
. . .to Hanukkah, that is. We’ve just received our Holiday shipment of Bronze Cypress Tree Menorahs. Crafted of solid bronze in Canada, they are a casually beautiful accompaniment to The Festival of Lights. And so handsome, I think, it can sit out year ’round. Place it on a high shelf and one won’t […]
Legend has it that the King of Siam would present courtiers—specifically annoying or obnoxious ones—with the royal gift of a White Elephant. Despite the gift’s incredible rarity, the animal was such a burden to sustain that the unpleasant courtier would be ruined financially just trying to keep the animal fed and maintained. Today, the term […]
On this day in 1724, British artist George Stubbs was born in Liverpool to a leather “currier” (finisher) and merchant. He worked with his father until he was 16, at which point he was apprenticed to a local painter and engraver, a position which didn’t last long—Stubbs did not like the repetitive copying which was […]
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, ‘O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my […]
This is the first item I ever sold, in my first store, on my first day. It’s a Mortens Studio Saint Bernard sculpture. After selling it, I came across another two years later. I had to buy it—paying three times more for the replacement than for which I had sold the first! Since that day, […]
