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...
Very late last night—at 11:32 pm New York Time—the North Pole was at its closest annual tilt toward the Sun; yesterday, the Sun encircled the Earth along its most-northern track for the year (along the imaginary line called the Tropic of Cancer). Thus, in the Northern Hemisphere, yesterday was the longest day of the year—and Summer began at 11:32 pm. If you were at the North Pole, the sun would not have set at all. On the other hand, if you were in the Southern Hemisphere, it would have been the shortest day of the year for you—and the South Pole may have had no sunrise at all. Life on Earth is dependent upon the Sun. But we need a...
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...
There is a long history of handsome desk sets gracing well-appointed desks. My favorite period is from 1850 to 1950, after which Art Deco ended and imported plastic made its debut. At the top end, companies like Tiffany Studios in New York made handsome bronze desk sets—with numerous different types of pieces in several different styles and metal finish options. In the first quarter of the Twentieth Century, while Jugendstil was au courant in Germany, pieces like these (shown above) were made for use on tasteful desks. A pewter box and card holder are "studded" with three dimensional diamonds, giving the set a touch of medieval gothic style.
There is a lot of action packed within the bas relief sculpting of these bookends from the 1920's. Saint George, astride his rearing horse, is delivering the coup de grâce to the Devil (here represented as a dragon who had been threatening a maiden).
These bronze-clad bookends tick the boxes for many "types" of fathers, including those who like: heroics, action themes, horses, Saint George, dragons, good sculpture, medieval mythology, armor, lances or (even) books.
I've sold hundreds of pairs of cufflinks over the years—covering many periods, aesthetics, materials and colors. But, if I had to identify "a best seller," it would be "Blue Art Deco." Art Deco graphics are widely-popular, perhaps because the graphics can be as bold as they wish, and yet, when restrained within a postage stamp-sized area, they are never overbearing. And blue is popular because it's so easy to wear. Who doesn't like blue?
This pair of English Art Deco cufflinks have bold, parallel stripes of navy enameling, separated by lines of sky blue enameled dots. Gently regimental—without being militaristic—they would look great on a white, blue or pink dress shirt.
The Carpathian Mountains run over 900 miles, from the Czech Republic to Serbia. The Hutsul People (sometimes called Rusyns) live along that mountain range, specifically in the portion in Ukraine and Romania. Due to their language and culture, most ethnographers categorize them as a Ukrainian subculture. The Hutsuls have long engaged in forestry, logging and woodwork, and are known for their fine wood carving of craft objects. The Carpathian Mountain spa town of Vorokhta became very popular at the turn of the Twentieth Century, once a railroad was built and visitors could easily come to visit. For centuries, Vorokhta had been controlled by Poland (which called it Worochta), but new boundaries drawn after World War I re-aligned the village with...
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.
Off the Western coast of Scotland, lies the mystical island of Iona. It has been inhabited by humans since the Iron Age (approximately 1,000 years BC) but became most famous when Saint Columba (from Ireland) founded a monastery here in 563 AD. This was the beginning of Scottish Christianity. The monastery, which still stands today, is not large, but it exhibits wonderful details of early Medieval architecture. Today, the island remains a popular destination for spiritual pilgrims and tourists seeking a contemplative place to meditate and relax. A sophisticated culture of quality handcraft exists on the island, providing visitors to help support the abbey and the local economy. These silver cufflinks, made in the period after World War Two, exhibit the...
For decades, the pipe was the classic "dad accessory." Even those who generally do not like smoking (like me), sometimes have to admit that the smell of burning pipe tobacco could sometimes be (at least) a little pleasant. This handsome Arts & Crafts brass pipe rack, made in England around 1900, holds five pipes. It is decorated with hand-hammered repoussé birds and scrolling botanicals and has two rings with which one can hang it on a wall. Even beyond its function as a pipe rack, it is beautiful as a piece of metal sculpture.
Before sewn-on buttons became common (around World War I), men's shirts were fastened with ribbon, fabric ties, shirt studs or they were pulled over the head (not fastened up the front). Thus, not so very long ago (120 years or so), men were accustomed to using (and keeping) shirt studs handy for daily use. A box like the one shown above might have been used.
This one is made of stitched pigskin, tanned in a taupe color and embossed with gold lettering. A "blind embossed" horseshoe gives the user extra luck. It was made in England around 1950.
In 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease (at £45 per year) for large premises at Saint James's Gate, Dublin, where he planned to operate his brewery. From medieval times, Saint James's Gate was the western entrance to the walled city of Dublin—and the traditional Irish starting point for the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, the burial site of the Apostle Saint James. Other brewers had operated in the area before Guinness opened its doors. Today, the original medieval gate is gone, though the neighborhood still bears the same name. Over time, Guinness Brewing thrived and expanded, acquiring space for more brewing, offices and living quarters for workers. The premises even had its own power plant. In the Nineteenth Century,...
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...
Let's end our little parade of "Precious Little Boxes" with this offering, currently available in the on-line shop of LEO Design. It was made in the 1930's in France for an American cosmetic company. It was a fancy little box made to hold a cake of make-up powder—one that could be carried in a handbag for an on-the-go touchup. The aluminum compact has been machine-engraved with a handsome, radiant pattern then finished with a bit of enameling around the circumference of the cover. The cake of powder is now gone, of course, but the box itself could live on as a place to hold pills, baby teeth or a cherished ring. Click on the photo above to learn more about...
The round shape of this Edwardian Scottish agate pillbox gives it a Georgian sensibility. (It is also quite Modernist, too.) Rondels of banded agate—in coffee browns, tans and whites—are bevelled and set within the silver-plated structure of the box. The spontaneous (and uncontrolled) striations in the stone juxtapose beautifully with the simple, almost clinical sensibility of the metalwork. Use a box like this to hold pills, conceal jewelry (like cufflinks or an engagement ring), or to present the house key to a new homeowner.
"Moss Agate" is a semi-precious gemstone, a variety of chalcedony, in which minerals have crystallized in shapes suggestive of moss. Actually, there is no vegetative matter—let alone moss—within the stone. The stone itself can be milky, cloudy or clear, allowing the "moss" to create visible, beautiful formations, sometime in the form of a tree line or an arrangement reminiscent of a landscape.
This Edwardian Scottish pillbox, circa 1905, is made of two pieces of rusty red moss agate. Iron deposits within the stone create a reddish appearance. With a close look, one can see that the stone is partially clear—allowing a nice view of the fluffy "moss" within. The box is finished with floral-engraved, gold-plated walls.
Nice little boxes can be very useful. Holding pills on a kitchen shelf, storing cufflinks at the bedside, or presenting a long-anticipated wedding ring to a future spouse—little boxes can combine function with tremendous style.
This little oval pillbox, made in Edwardian Scotland (c. 1905), is crafted of two beveled ovals of banded agate—browns, caramels, tans and whites. "Engraved" gold-plated sides complete the look handsomely.
2020 was a year of tumult for America's premier horse racing community—as it was for pretty much everyone else on Earth. Races were cancelled or run to empty stands. Alas, 2021 has also been a tumultuous year at the tracks, too—but not due only to the Coronavirus. Rather, it was due to the potential doping with banned substances of an injured racehorse, Medina Spirit, who had won the Kentucky Derby (followed by a third place showing in the following Preakness Stakes). Nevertheless, the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, just outside of New York City, will be run today. Medina Spirit has been eliminated and will not be running; his trainer has been suspended from racing for two years.
Here's another handsome brooch, this time Scottish. It features a polished banded agate cabochon in multiple shades of browns and whites. It is set into a silver mount, lapel pin attached. It has almost an "abstract expressionist" sensibility—remarkable considering that the stone itself may be a million years old.
I don't really go-out on the hunt for women's jewelry very often. But, while I'm searching for cufflinks, I sometimes come across a handsome piece of women's jewelry (often Victorian or Edwardian) that really speaks to me. No one would accuse me of selecting "girly" pieces. In fact, there is often a "stately handsomeness" to the pieces of women's jewelry I collect. This usually means serious (perhaps solemn) stonework and metalwork that revives the Gothic. Queen Victoria spent almost 40 years of her reign as a widow, and she wore dark and heavy mourning wear from her husband's passing in 1861 until her death in 1901. She set the fashion trends for her fellow countrywomen, especially the aristocracy. Thus, luckily for...
My gym membership has been re-instated today—after months of mandated closures, suspensions, more closures and freezes. But the inevitable has finally arrived: I gotta get moving! Gratefully, I did not contract the real coronavirus. But, alas, in my own way, I had a brush with the other Covid Nineteen (or was moving in that general direction)—and now want to drop those pounds.
By today's standards, these wooden dumbbells don't make the grade. They only weigh a couple of pounds each, if that, and were probably used originally to augment calisthenics—not for serious weight resistance exercise. But they are heavy with character. And they're a good reminder that it's time to get moving!
The birthstone for the month of June is not a "stone" at all. It is the pearl—the mysterious and exotic and (at one time) ultra-rare treasure from the seas. Pearls, which represent purity, innocence and humility, were once the most precious of all the jewels. Egyptian aristocrats would be buried with their pearls. The Ancient Greeks believed that pearls were the tears of the gods. The Bible tells of the wise merchant who would sell all his stock in order to acquire one perfect pearl. And "pearls before swine" is a classic metaphor for wasting something on a person who cannot understand or appreciate it. Even the Gates of Heaven are encrusted with pearls—"The Pearly Gates." The famous American gemologist...
Art will sometimes present interesting contradictions. Sometimes the viewer catches the inconsistencies and sometimes the viewer just enjoys the piece for its aesthetic pleasance. This Art Deco rosebowl, made by Roseville in the 1930's, juxtaposes two opposing forces: hard structure and organic spontaneity. The ceramic structure of the bowl itself is a crisp and intentional form—precise, architectural, disciplined. One could almost imagine the bas relief shoulder design inspiring the utilitarian venting within the vast inner shaft of the Star Wars Death Star. On top of this "hard" form, however, is a random and impromptu and very soft glazing effect—mottled glazing (in a warm, gentle color) applied in an irregular (and seemingly unplanned) way. The juxtaposition of hard vs. soft, deliberate vs. random, gives the...
In recent weeks, Shakespeare has been called-out for having been insensitive to important issues of racial injustice, White privilege and colonial oppression. British academics are reviewing The Bard's works to highlight the offensive language—and to adapt that which can be saved and cancel that which is unredeemable.
I am not writing an essay on cancel culture. But I'd hate to see Shakespeare revoked. Let me make six quick points:
Edna Ferber spent months researching the lives and stories of people who lived and worked on the showboats which once plied the rivers of the American South. She even spent a week on one of the boats, though, by this time, these floating theatres were quickly disappearing. Her 1926 novel, Showboat, was a great success and was quickly adapted into a musical by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II (produced by Florenz Ziegfeld). Ferber was initially shocked that anyone would want to musicalize her serious novel, though she eventually consented when she realized the commitment displayed by the high-calibre production team. Clocking-in at 4.5 hours long, the show was trimmed to just over three hours when it opened on Broadway...
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.
When people think of industry in Pittsburgh, Ohio and West Virginia, steel is often the first thing that comes-to-mind. But there were other large industries in the region, too, not the least of which was glass manufacturing. These three states produced much of the nation's glass in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries. Commercial glassmaking began in Jamestown, Virginia in 1608. They mostly produced windowpanes for local building construction but also exported some to England. But famine and disaster took its toll on the colony and the operation was forced to shut down. Regional glass makers developed in later years, mostly making utilitarian items. In 1808, Benjamin Bakewell founded what was to become a prosperous glassworks in Pittsburgh....
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.
Not so long ago, even in my lifetime, every household had a "sewing box." In my boyhood, our family used a round metal tin, about the size of a cake, which probably held cookies in its first life. It was white with big, bold roses painted on the lid. It lived in the linen closet and would be pulled-out any time a button needed to be reattached. A century earlier, a wooden box (like the one shown above) would have been customary in many households. But sewing (and sewing repairs) were probably a far more common household activity back then. So a purpose built—and handsome—container was called for (not a repurposed gift tin, such as we had). Under the hinged lid, one...
Judd Manufacturing got its start as a blacksmith foundry in New Britain, Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. It later reinventing itself as a harness maker, selling sleigh bells, saddles and other equestrian gear. Over the years, the company grew, changed hands within the family, and even split into two separate companies—one moving to Wallingford, CT and the other moving to New York City. In time, the New York City division prospered and bought-out the Connecticut factory. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Judd made decorative metalworks for household use: banks, doorstops, door-knockers, inkwells, animal sculptures and (most famously) bookends. The company was purchased by Stanley Works (New Britain, CT) in 1954.
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...
Wisdom just isn't what it used to be. For millennia, scholars, writers, theologians, philosophers and kings have sung the praises of Wisdom—the ability to think and act with understanding, knowledge, experience, prudence and common sense. The Old Testament devotes a book to Wisdom. Solomon valued Wisdom above all other blessings. Jesus preached about the wise steward, the wise builder and the five wise virgins (with their lamps). Saint Thomas Aquinas called Wisdom "the father of all the virtues." Even the word philosophy means "the love of Wisdom." She (for Wisdom is always a woman) was personified: the Greek goddess Athena and the Roman goddess Minerva represented this most important virtue. And artists through the ages have painted and sculpted...
Here's another English Art Deco vase made by Pilkington Royal Lancastrian in the 1920's or 1930's. It has an incised, scrolling design across the body and is glazed with a handsome turquoise glaze—freckled with jade green confetti. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Ancient Egypt has long been a source of fascination for the West. Western artists, architects and designers have been appropriating Egyptian design motifs since the Renaissance—as Europeans looked to ancient civilizations for beauty, culture and enlightenment. When Napoleon conquered Egypt, he instructed teams of artists to thoroughly record the art, architecture and aesthetics of Egypt, both ancient and modern. These engraved plates were published in installments called Description de l'Égypte from 1809 to 1826 which were wildly popular and had a tremendous influence on early 19th Century taste and design—paintings, architecture, furniture, graphics, jewelry, ceramics, metalware, lighting and other decorative arts.
An understated white-speckled brown enamel inhabits one corner of these English Art Deco cufflinks from the 1930's. Directly across the face, the chromed metal is broken into two fields: one is textured while the other is smooth. In the center, running diagonally between the fields is a cream enameled bar. Lots of activity and lots of motion make for a dynamic design, quite unlike any other cufflinks.
Here's another handsome pair of English Art Deco cufflinks. This time, the face of the cufflink is bisected with a deep furrow, slashing-though the color blocks of brown and white enameling. And while the coloration of the enamel is understated, the visual effect is nonetheless bold. Made in the Thirties in England.
"Soft squares" of black mother-of-pearl are machine engraved with a flower petal design (also known as a "corollate"design) and mounted into art deco settings. They make for a handsome cufflink, well-suited to shirts (or shirt stripes) of many different color variations.
Art Deco was vastly popular—and it lived a good long life. After World War One, Americans (and others) felt that they were now living in a new, modern world. They embraced the streamlined, forward-looking aesthetics of the Art Deco movement. And, luckily, Art Deco was perfectly suited for the kind of mass production that was necessary to make a lot of new stuff to satisfy a growing, post-war middle class.
These English Art Deco cufflinks are chromed and then punctuated with chocolate and cappuccino enameling. If you want, you can imagine that the graphic symbolizes "V for Victory"—though, in truth, these cufflinks were made a few years before the war touched-down in England.
The crisp, bold graphic on these cufflinks—presented in unusual rootbeer and taupe enameling—makes me think of the "V" in "Victory." It's easy to see victory everywhere, especially in hindsight, when looking at something English from the Thirties or Forties. But British victory in the war was never a certainty. World War Two was fought hard and long—and the British paid dearly for their win. As for these cufflink graphics, they were probably made well before England entered the war (or even before there was a war). So I guess I'm just being a romantic, or, perhaps, fanciful. What is true is that these cufflinks are quite unique, especially regarding their coloration, and they do enjoy a strong and handsome graphic design....
A few days ago, we shared some "Toledo" cufflinks—damascened, mixed -metal accessories in the traditional Central Spanish style. Here's another pair. The body of this cufflink is quite interesting; it resembles the cross-section of galleon's hull, laden with treasures, no doubt.
Though I purchased these cufflinks in London, I have never been convinced that they were made in England. Something about the "large stone" slightly fascist design hinted at an Eastern European (or Soviet Bloc) origin. They are set in Art Deco mounts—indicating that they are from the Thirties—a period when such "Brutalist" stonework was not really en vogue in the British Isles. In this regard, they are just slightly ahead of their time. (Big-stone cufflinks became popular after World War II, even more so in the Sixties and Seventies). Regardless of the time or place of creation, one must admit that the banded agate is simply beautiful. Caramels, whites and rootbeer colors form spontaneous streaks of stone—which was then cut, bevelled, polished...
The Scots love their stones! From the rusticated architectural building-blocks in Edinburgh to the inlaid agates in their "Penannular" shawl-fasteners. And what seems to be important isn't whether the gemstone itself is valuable in the eyes of the world but, rather, is the stone colorful, beautiful, and Scottish in origin. Like so many things Scottish, the best things come from the land. My favorite things in Scotland are hard, durable and weather-beaten. After all, this is a country represented by the thistle—a wiry, spiky and tenacious plant which clings to life in the rocky, cold and windswept mountain terrain. These cufflinks, made in the 1920's, are fashioned from oval cabochons of polished "hardstone"—mostly oxblood, with a dose of brown, and...
We're spending a few days showcasing some accessories "for the Natural Man"—cufflinks in the subtle, low-key shades of brown, rust, cream, black and white. You'll find them (and many others) for sale on the LEO Design website.
These black mother-of-pearl cufflinks are ultra-iridescent—the "highlight colors" are lush and varied. They are set into gold-plated mounts and you can learn more about them by clicking on the photo above.
In the 1930's, functional graphics in England took on a particular look—clear, soft, round—and one can see great examples of this in vintage enameled railway signage from the period. Sometimes the signage was in brown, sky blue or green, giving the signage a "softer" more natural appearance. This contrasts with American signage of the period which was often red, yellow, orange, black or white—meant to "pop" not "complement" the surroundings. Furthermore, many of the signs were produced with rounded corners which served to soften the sign's appearance even more.
Tracery is most often associated with Gothic architecture—for example the lacey, carved-stone windows in a church (usually filled with stained glass) or pierced woodwork (including trefoils and quatrefoils) that decorates the interior. These Art Deco cufflinks, while they make no pretense to Gothic style, have metallic tracery overlays which are derivative of the Medieval style. The gilt metalwork lies upon mother-of-pearl faces and are set into gilt (that is, lightly gold-plated) mountings. Click upon the photo above to learn more about them.
This pair of goldstone cufflinks is as "flashy" as we will get this week. In truth, "goldstone" is not a stone at all; it is a glass carrying suspended copper crystals which create a sparkling, metallic optical effect. For centuries, goldstone was believed to have been invented in Venice by the Miotti family of glassmakers. In the 1600's, the Venetian Doge granted the family an exclusive license to produce goldstone. More recently, a Persian amulet (dating from the 12th or 13th century) has been discovered, showing that goldstone had been produced elsewhere and earlier.
At first glance, these cufflinks seem to have very little decoration to them. But, upon closer inspection, there is quite a bit of subtle detail work which adorns them. First, they are crafted in an interesting, modernist "lozenge" shape—essentially a soft rectangle. Then the centers are etched with very fine diagonal lines. The end quarters are etched with a contrasting crosshatch effect. Finally, two of the corners are "dipped" into brown enameling, giving the piece an interesting "twisting energy." But all of this is only appreciated by someone who takes the time to study and understand the cufflinks.
Toledo is an ancient city in Central Spain, about 45 miles south of Madrid. In Medieval times, it was known as a place where Christians, Jews and Muslims lived together (for better or worse), with each group contributing art, architecture and cuisine to create a rich, blended culture. But long before this, Toledo made its mark as the place where the finest forged-steel swords were made. Metalsmiths in Toledo invented a technique of forging hard and soft steels together, creating swords that were strong and flexible. From 500 BC, the Romans discovered that they wanted their weapons from Toledo.
Every now and then, a customer will want to buy a pair of cufflinks for a young man. Sometimes he's about to graduate from high school or university. Or, perhaps, he's been invited to his first dressy function. This will be the young man's first pair of cufflinks—and the shopper asks for a little advice.
White mother-of-pearl cufflinks are the most neutral and one can never go wrong wearing them with black tie or a dinner jacket. But white (dressy) mother-of-pearl cufflinks always exude a formal disposition—and a man with his first (and only) pair of cufflinks may want to be able to wear them with other shirts, on other occasions. In this case, I always recommend black mother-or-pearl.
Many people assume that the "repp" in "Repp Stripe" refers to the repeating pattern of distinctive, colored stripes often shown in ties or foulards. In truth, "repp" refers to the repeating tiny ribs woven into the silk fabric from which the ties are made (regardless of the color pattern). In the Medieval age, groups of knights would enter battle wearing distinctive heraldic colors or carrying flags which indicated the fighting team to which they belonged. Repp stripes are an evolution of this idea, adopted by (originally male) groups to distinguish themselves from other groups: schools, military regiments, social clubs, sports teams. Customized striped patterns and colors would be adopted as the "modern heraldry" of a specific group, usually woven into...
These understated Soviet cufflinks (hallmarked 1921 to 1958) are made of jasper—the opaque, highly polishable stone that comes in shades of brown, red, yellow or green. Jasper has been used as a coveted gemstone for millennia. Official seals made of carved jasper (used for authorizing or sealing documents), dating from 1800 BC, have been unearthed in the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Crete. Large pieces of jasper have also been crafted into boxes, urns, sculpture and architectural elements like the balustrades on a grand staircase.
The metal mountings on these Soviet cufflinks are silver which has been plated in a gold "vermeil."
Some men like to keep things understated. No flash. No bling. For them, we present a collection of "natural accessories"—cufflinks in decidedly "earthy" shades: brown, rust, black, cream and white (plus silver and gold). Call it an "Homage to the Seventies" or a solution for the modest mate. Find these cufflinks for the Natural Man on our website at LEO Design. Art Deco was a large and widely popular design movement. It conveyed "a modern feel," in keeping with the modern times after World War I. It was well-suited to mass production methods, necessary to satisfy a growing middle class with new-found leisure time and increasing disposable income (in contrast to earlier movements which required much more labor-intensive "handcraft"). And the Art Deco...
May is here—and so is her majestic birthstone, the Emerald.
Emeralds are one of the four "cardinal" gemstones, alongside diamonds, sapphires and rubies. At one time, amethysts were on this list of rare stones until vast amethyst deposits were discovered in South America, making them much more common (and inexpensive).
Perfect emeralds are very rare. Because they are so susceptible to flaws, the industry allows them to be graded with the naked eye (that is, without magnification). This allows them a bit of a "reprieve" from the harsh standards of other rare gemstones—as almost no samples would pass muster under rigid scrutiny. The most valuable color is a deep green, but one that is very clear and bright.
In nearly every world culture, the lion is admired (and equally feared) as a symbol of royalty, fierceness and brave leadership. To "lionize" a person is rarely considered an insult. That's why the lion is called "The King-of-the-Jungle" and is often included in the heraldry of nobility wherever lions are known.
In three short months, we'll be in the middle of the LEO sunsign (23 July - 22 August). Perhaps a handsome pair of bookends will make your favorite LEO happy? This pair, made of cast iron in the 1920's, are graced with a regal bas relief portrait of a male lion.
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...
The word "cathedral" comes from the Latin word cathedra—that is, "the chair." Thus, a cathedral is any church which houses the bishop's seat, making it the "mother church" of a diocese, conference or episcopate. Cathedrals are usually bigger (and grander) than the other churches within a bishop's "see" (his "territory'). But it is not the grandeur of the church which makes the church a cathedral. It is the bishop's chair—the seat of his assigned authority—which elevates a church to a cathedral. Think of a cathedral as a bishop's "home church."
People have always found owls mysterious. They hunt by night, fly in complete silence, and appear to study intently (and contemplate) everything that happens before them. Those big eyes seem to see everything. Thousands of years ago, the Ancient Greeks associated owls with knowledge; Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, was often depicted with an owl who would whisper the truth to her. In later centuries, Athena's Roman counterpart, Minerva, continued to be shown with a a wise owl. The "secretiveness" of owls has sometimes earned them an association with death. An owl flying into (and out of) a room conveys the poetic symbolism of the passing of human life from Earth to the Hereafter.
Eight months—244 shopping days—'til Christmas! Get your table set (well in advance) with this set of eight Jolly Holiday highballs from the Fifties. Christmas Wreaths, New Year Bells and Poinsettia Blossoms take us back to an older, slower time.
Italy's greatest writer (indeed, one of the Western World's most important writers), Dante Alighieri, was born in Florence in 1265. Alas, he found himself on the wrong side of a political battle in his home city. After supporting the (losing) White Guelphs, Dante was banished—upon pain of death—from his beloved Florence. After a bit of moving around, he settled in Ravenna, some 90 miles from Florence, where he died and is entombed to this day. Dante's greatest work, The Divine Comedy, was written during his exile. It is considered one of the most important works of literature of all time, in any language. And, unlike other important Medieval writers who wrote in Latin, Dante wrote in the vulgate, specifically the Italian Tuscan dialect. After...
We don't know the precise date on which William Shakespeare was born. There is, however, a church record showing that he was baptized on 26 April 1564. He was probably born a couple (or a few) days earlier. 23 April has become a popular birth date speculation—which also happens to be the day he died in 1616.
Although Shakespeare's first days are shrouded in mystery, his works—poetry, sonnets and plays—are famously the most important body of work written in the English language. Through the astounding range of plays, characters and dramatic situations he crafted, Shakespeare distilled the essence of what it means to be a human—plays, characters and human situations which still resonate today.
"The Song of Hiawatha" is an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, published in 1855. It follows a number of American Indian characters—notably the warrior Hiawatha and his lover Minnehaha—along the southern shore of Lake Superior. It was an immediate success, selling over 50,000 copies in its first two years, and it created an indelible impression of Indian life and people in the popular imagination. Critics condemn the poem as the romantic creation of a non-native writer. Longfellow's source materials and understanding of real Native American culture have been called into question. Nevertheless, it is a monumental work of American Romantic literature and it played an important role in Nineteenth Century popular culture.
This trio of wooden spools would have been used by industrial weavers around the Turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century. The yarns would have been wound around the spools, each of which has been augmented with metal banding (presumably to protect a high-wear area). During weaving, as a particular color of yarn was used-up, an attentive weaver would have replaced the spent spool, keeping the machinery humming. The contrast between the warm, natural wood and the industrial form (with metallic banding) creates an interesting juxtaposition of material and form. They are shown being used as primitive candlesticks, however, because they do not have wide bases, they should be carefully supervised (or tacked-down with museum putty) to monitor tipping. Additionally, one should not burn the candle down...
Classical Antiquity has provided so many timeless design ideas, many of which still look perfect nearly 2000 years later. This vase, for example, made in Roseville, Ohio during the Art Deco 1930's, was inspired by a Classical Greek urn. The two handles, certainly a part of the original Classical aesthetic, have been updated with slight Art Nouveau "whiplash" energy—making the vase as fresh and attractive as ever. Of course, the clean satin white glazing also contributes to a crisp, modern aesthetic. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be...
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...
Baptism is an important (some would say vital) rite within the Christian Church. The ceremony, usually followed with a meal or other gathering, has become an opportunity to give a meaningful gift to the little one. In the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, silver became the gift of choice as the precious metal was believed to confer healthful properties and was also a symbol of prosperity. Thus, a silver Christening gift would convey a wish for the health and success of the newborn. Since the Victorian Age, useful gifts—especially items associated with nourishment—have been popular. Silver spoons (perhaps engraved with the baptismal date) were very common (and could be used to feed the child). Cups, bowls and egg cups were other functional choices. Sometimes...
It may still be a little too chilly to hit the bay. But you can dream of that day right now—warm and snug indoors—with this set of four yachting whiskey glasses. Each glass features a different type of ship, in a different color way, so that your guests can easily identify their glass. At ten ounces, this "single old fashioned" glass is comfortable to hold (and takes up less precious space in your on-board galley).
Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904) was a British poet, journalist and educator. He was sent to India in 1856 where he served as a school principal for seven years. While there, he was exposed to Buddhism, heretofore virtually unknown in the West. After returning to England, where he worked as a journalist, he published The Light of Asia in 1879. It was the first major exposure of Buddhism to the Western World. The book was a great success and has been translated into 30 languages, including Hindi. The book takes the form of a poem and follows the life of Indian Prince Gautama Buddha, his renunciation of his formerly privileged life, and his pathway to Enlightenment. Mahatma Gandhi, then a law student...
When I was a young boy, my father had a modest boat, a 13' Boston Whaler. Every weekend, it seemed, he would take me out into Kaneohe Bay from which one is treated to one of the most beautiful views on Earth. We would motor out to the sandbar and I would look down at (what my dad called) "the sea snakes" in the shallow water. (I think they were probably sea cucumbers.) Despite the great adventure, I never really liked going out in that boat. Perhaps I was too young to appreciate the opportunity. I hated the gas fumes from the portable fuel tank. The salty orange-canvas life jacket scratched my burning neck. The violent chop-chop-chop across the water was...
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.
Traditionally, red glazes have always been the most "temperamental" for potters to control. Small changes in the glaze mixture, kiln temperature or firing time could alter the final coloration of a piece. For centuries, the Chinese had been creating beautiful "oxblood" ceramics, despite very primitive technology. Their kilns were essentially earthen mounds, fired with wood, with windows and vents which could be opened or closed to control the temperature. Despite these hard-to-control conditions, the Chinese had been been able to produce red glazes from the 1400's (and possibly the 900's). Early oxblood ceramic vessels were used for religious purposes and have sometimes been called "sacrificial ware." In the 1700's, when trade with Europe was well underway, there was...
When I was a kid, growing-up in Hawaii, the only beer labels I could name would have been Olympia ("It's the water" - Tumwater, Washington), Primo (with its blue Hawaiian warrior and a name that rhymed with "Kimo") and, of course Budweiser ("...You've Said it All!). In the 60's and 70's, at least in my circle, beer was drunk by Joe Six Pack—and nearly every father who's just come home from work. The cool brew was much-relished, sure, but I don't think quality was a top criterion. Forget about sophistication. When I got a little older, perhaps in the 80's, I noticed a couple of "more upscale" brands on the scene: the elegant Heineken (imported and dressed in a costly...
Interestingly, while I very much dislike smoking, I have usually really liked smokers. Maybe it's their conviviality, their "lust for life," or—how do you say it—their joie de vivre. In an ideal world, I would have many friends who are healthy, former smokers. I have also always liked the accoutrements of smoking—ashtrays, tobacco jars, smoking sets. When I found this Spanish cigar cutter, I didn't have to think long before buying it. It's handsome. It's useful. It's beautifully-made. And it is a part of the mysterious culture of the (horrid) art of smoking. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please...
"A little closer. Closer. Good. Hold it. Say "cheese!" Very good!"
Oh, those sibling group photos! Once a staple of family gatherings and grandparents' visits; Now, thanks to the camera phone, possibly a daily occurrence. But, in 1920, when this pressed tin frame was made, such family photos were quite rare indeed. Kids were dressed in their Sunday Best and—as was the custom at the time—people rarely smiled for the photographer. Photo day was serious and commemorative. A photo was rare and meant to last.
This pressed tin frame is finished with an applied faux woodgrain and has a convenient hook on the back for hanging upon the wall.
Though Old Man Winter is well behind us, the Spring, thus far, has been unpredictable indeed. Days in the mid-70's are followed by nights in the 20's (and dustings of snow). My wardrobe—not to mention my spring bulbs—are confused by the inconsistency. But the Earth's axis continues its progressive tilt, bringing us closer to the Sun with every passing day.
This Art Deco vase, made by Stangl in the 1930's, reminds me of that fiery, life-giving ball in the sky. Though it cannot provide warmth, alas, it will provide a feeling of sunshine—just what we need right now.
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.
Today we present another bronze belt buckle, likewise crafted in the Art Nouveau Revival of the Rock & Roll Seventies. It depicts a Bohemian maiden, framed by her flowing locks, and decorated with scrolling botanical decoration.
Alfons Maria Mucha was born in 1860 in Moravia—then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now part of the Czech Republic. He is a giant amongst artists of the Art Nouveau Movement. Although he was a fine arts painter, he is most recognized for his graphic arts which were perfectly suited to the new technology of modern, high-volume lithographic printing. Fine art posters, theatrical flyers, consumer packaging and advertising campaigns were all graced with Alfons Mucha's beautiful images (giving him tremendous popular exposure). Many of his works were portraits of women, presented in Byzantine dress and accessories. They were usually surrounded by swirls of hair, art nouveau botanicals, and Byzantine decorative motifs—all part of Mucha's drive to recognize and promote a...
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.
I am an avid shopper for cufflinks—traveling around the world, perusing the collections of private collectors and vintage jewelry merchants. I do not go out of my way to seek-out women's jewelry, though, in truth, I stumble across a lot of it while inspecting cufflinks. When I see a piece I like, I will often pick it up.
This English Arts & Crafts hand-hammered pewter cuff is punctuated with three jade glass cabochons. This type of craftwork was popular in the British Arts & Crafts period, mostly creating pin-on brooches. I have never seen another wrist cuff such as this. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
As the Nineteenth Century Industrial Revolution swept across England, Europe and North America, these regions also witnessed dramatic growth of a new middle class. And, as these middle class families took root in the market economy, their demand for more (and more) non-essential consumer goods grew. Non-aristocrats, for the first time, could afford to buy the things they wanted, not just those things they needed. And the coincident Industrial Revolution was poised to churn-out a high volume of (mostly) high-quality goods. These picture frames, made around 1890, were crafted in some sort of a production run of at least moderate volume. They combined an affordable and adaptable industrial material (glass) with suitable production methods (a glass moulding factory) to create something handsome and useful...
WASHINGTON, 1 April — Assistant White House Press Secretary, M. Jess Kidden, reported to Reuters this morning that a year-old puppy had been left behind in the White House, possibly abandoned by the outgoing first family. Members of the junior White House staff discovered the canine sleeping in a crate in the former Executive Chef's office. Facts are scarce, Kidden admitted, since none of the permanent household staff wishes to come forward with testimony, fearing they might be targeted for political retribution. What is known is that an unnamed foreign ambassador quietly hand-delivered the Russian Wolfhound puppy during the summer of 2020. A handwritten tag attached to the crate read, "Thank you for everything. I'll miss you. VP" Advisors soon...
Charles Dickens published The Old Curiosity Shoppe as a weekly series in 1840 and 1841. It proved so successful—on both sides of the Atlantic—that frantic New Yorkers stormed the pier when the final installment arrived by ship from England. They all wanted to know: "Will Little Nell Live?" The story concerns 13 year old Nell, a kind and loving girl who was orphaned after her parents died in poverty. She is taken-in by her grandfather and they live in an antiques shop. She is a lonely girl; her only friend is Kit, a good boy who works in the shop, whom Nell teaches to write. Kit secretly falls in love with Nell and commits himself to keeping her safe. But...
Once the province of weekly male bonding, "Poker Night" seems to have gone the way of craps games and bowling leagues. Cigars, blue talk and midnight sandwiches are less popular today than they were 80 years ago. Which makes this copper match holder even more interesting. Made around 1910, it might have been part of a larger "smoking set" with an ashtray and cigarette holder. And the tiny silver rivets hint at a sophisticated past, while the striated hand-tooled texturing remind us that a talented person craft this handsome piece, one stroke at a time.
Emmanuel College, part of the University of Cambridge, was founded in 1584 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The original buildings were a Dominican Friary, which her father, Henry VIII, had confiscated after "dissolving" the monasteries (an act of revenge on a Church which would not permit Henry's penchant for "dissolving" wives). The new school was founded to develop Anglican preachers. The Catholic chapel was stripped and converted into a dining hall. In 1677, a new chapel was built by the illustrious British architect, Sir Christopher Wren. Some of the original Dominican features exist to this day, including a large fish pond (now home to a raft of ducks) and one of the oldest bathing pools in Europe (originally used...
Let's end our procession of Spring Suggestions with this particularly sunny offering: an Art Deco vase glazed in a rich yellow glaze. It was made by Martin Stangl in Trenton, New Jersey in the 1930's. The two "lop eared" handles, atop the urn, seem an Art Deco botanical reference to some earlier, classical time. The glaze is particularly vibrant. If this vase can't bring with it a ray of Spring sunshine, can anything?
This handsome plate ticks many boxes. First there's the hand-hammered rosy copper, always a favorite of mine. And then the plate is "damascened"—that is, bonded with delicate elements of inlaid silver, creating a delightful pattern. And that pattern, too, tips its hat to several period aesthetics. The stag amongst the foliage is a common medieval tapestry theme. The hammered copper lies at the heart of Arts & Crafts metalwork. And the silhouette of the stag is reminiscent of the works of the American Art Deco sculptor, Paul Manship.
Hand-hammered brass, softly gleaming, makes for a handy and handsome drinks tray. It was made in Germany during the Jugendstil movement. The hammered "peening" softens the reflected light and the gallery of "pillows" around the edge will keep your glasses from sliding off. It would also make a useful "kitchen tray" to corral oil bottles and spice jars.
For a "Mod" take on Springtime fun, how about these double old fashioned "rocks" glasses. The set of eight "lowballs" is boldly punctuated with bands of 22 karat gold. Handsome, useful and very, very cool. Your whiskey has got to taste just a little better from these glasses! Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
Commence your Spring Cleaning in-style—at least at your dining table. This English Arts & Crafts hand-hammered brass crumber set boasts a central botanical decoration as well as hand-riveted metal strapwork. Crumbers like this would be used to clean the dining table linens between courses.
You'd be forgiven if you thought this pitcher is Italian; its hand-painted Harlequin dress looks so much like the costume of Arlechino, one of the character clowns of the Italian Commedia dell'Arte. No, it's German, made by Übelacker in the 1950's. What is clear is the pitcher's strong Springtime sensibility. Wouldn't it be nice to be greeted each morning by this sunny, friendly creamer?
Warm and softly-radiant, brass often reminds me of Spring. And this German Jugendstil hand-hammered brass tray is (a bit) reminiscent of the sun. It's modestly sized—perfect for tea-for-two or drinks for six. It would also be the perfect dresser or kitchen tray—holding bottles and jars.
Hurrah! We've moved-into Spring—and we'd like to share some "Spring Fresh" ideas with you, now in-stock at LEO Design. One of these items might just "do the trick" to lighten the mood and move your abode into the new season of growth.
This French Art Deco ice bucket is beautiful and useful. It is blown of citrine glass and is reminiscent of an Early Springtime daffodil trumpet. Daffodils are amongst the first of the Springtime flowers—often emerging long before their more-reserved botanical cousins.
Is there any season more invigorating—more hopeful—than Spring? Early green shoots begin to emerge from their bulbs, long forgotten below. Trees acquire a haze of yellow or light green as buds begin to form along their twigs. And a frisson of delight passes through the body when one realizes "Perhaps I don't have to wear a jacket today..." Despite nighttime temperatures in the 20's, Spring is here—having arrived today, 20 March, at 5:37 am Eastern Time.
As a "Three-Quarter Irish-American" (and proud holder of dual passports), I guess I'm obligated to take a little pride in Saint Paddy's Day—despite my annual disgust at the day trippers vomiting green beer along the Fifth Avenue parade route. Most of all, I am proud to be the descendant of beleaguered immigrants who persevered—misunderstood, maltreated and despised (as waves of immigrants, sadly, always have been and continue to be). Today, Irish-Americans have fully taken-root in the New Country. But I still pray we remember what our forebears endured—and commit to helping those who arrive on American shores a century later.
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.
Late tonight (actually, early tomorrow morning)—after we're in bed—the clocks will "spring forward" to begin Daylight Savings Time. Don't forget to adjust your clocks before you head for bed. This Italian sand-cast pewter sandglass would make a handsome conversation starter on your desk, mantel or bookshelf. And it works, too! (Mostly.) It accurately indicates a range of time, more-or-less anywhere from 8 to 10 minutes (depending upon its mood). Like so many things Italian, what it lacks in precision it amply makes-up in style and beauty. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we...
Welcome, March, and your ever-promising flower, the daffodil. Daffodils are one of the first flowers to emerge after the winter, confirming the promise of Spring—that life does return after sleep. And seeing daffodils is such a joy! Certainly, March enjoys a wonderfully symbolic flower. Back in April of 1802, English poet Willam Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, were enjoying a walk around Glencoyne Bay in the Lake District in the north of England. As they walked, they saw a few daffodils swaying near the shoreline. The brother and sister wondered together if the flower seeds had floated ashore and sprouted. As they walked, they saw more and more of the yellow blossoms, finally culminating in a wide belt of the...
Today is Mardi Gras—"Fat Tuesday"—the last day to celebrate before Lent begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. It's the day when all the household's fats, meats, sweets and other indulgences are consumed or thrown away. A big Mardi Gras celebration prepares the family for a properly abstemious Lent. While we're still having a party, how about a handsome Modernist punchbowl service. Thick bands of platinum decorate this punchbowl and ten "roly-poly" punch glasses. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at...
