In the world of horserace gambling, a "dark horse" was an unknown or unfamiliar racehorse about which gamblers knew little or nothing with which they could strategize their bets. In the 1830's, the term was expanded to include any kind of competitor—in sports, business or politics—who comes out of nowhere (surprisingly) to win the contest.
The ceramic "dark horse" bookends, shown above were made in the 1930's or 1940's by Abingdon in Knoxville, IL. Abingdon was a successful maker of durable, high-end plumbing fixtures: sinks, toilets, water fountains. They used a proprietary blend of quality clays, a dense, "vitreous china" which was highly chip-resistant. Abingdon was known for its fantastic glazes and was the first company to offer products in varied colors. Abingdon was commissioned to produce all of the plumbing fixtures for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair—a huge undertaking. But the Great Depression put an end to most of the nation's building projects (which also killed orders for plumbing fixtures). From 1934 to 1950, Abingdon survived the Depression by making smaller consumer items—vases, bowls, bookends—with the same vitreous china, in the same kilns which was used for the plumbing fixtures. This allowed them to keep the factory open and to keep their employees working. During this period of making "art ware," Abingdon produced six million items, in over 1000 designs, in 149 different colored glazes. In 1950, after the Great Depression, Abingdon discontinued the art ware lines and returned to its production of top-quality plumbing fixtures.
The handsome dark horses, shown above, are one example of Abingdon's art ware productions. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.