17 September is Citizenship Day—a day on which Americans are encouraged to recognize and appreciate their U.S. citizenship. It’s also the day (in 1787) when the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. In recent years, it has been sometimes referred to as “Constitution and Citizenship Day.” Happy Citizenship Day!
Warm brass, warm heart. This little hand-sculpted, cast pewter heart is finished with a brassy wash and fitted with a keyring. Useful, handsome and sentimental. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Another suggestion of Autumn: a Dümler & Brieden "Komet" pitcher with Secessionist-inspired bas relief. Rich orange glaze pops against a steely matte blue underglaze. Made in 1972. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Autumn inspiration tomorrow.
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When Autumn arrives, and the days shorten, we turn-up our lamps and light the candles and fireplaces. What would look better than flickering light glancing off the warm, polished surface of this English Arts & Crafts copper tray? A radiant foliate design is hand-tooled upon the hand-beaten surface of the tray—perfect whether presenting warm mushroom tartlets or eight to ten mugs of hot mulled wine. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Autumn inspiration tomorrow.
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Autumn is a time for hearth and home. And Mid-Century ceramicists often derived inspiration from age-old utilitarian pieces, some centuries old. This piece by Carstens Atlelier is a case-in-point. Designed by Gerda Heuckeroth in the 1960's, it bears a flat, strap-like handle over it's ample and sensuous body. And it's finished with an organic, matte glaze which drips over a dark brown underglaze—a color somewhere between reddish orange and orangish red. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. More Autumn inspiration tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on...
Crisp evenings, the crackle of fallen leaves underfoot—some of the seasonal cues of the approaching Autumn. Though the Autumn doesn't officially begin for another ten days, we're ready for the season here at LEO Design! Let's start the season with this handsome Mid-Century Dutch ceramic vase from the 1960's or 1970's. The curvaceous form is dressed in a dappled, matte orange glaze. A perfect combination of classic and modern—all the while voluptuous, bold and strong. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this striking piece. More Autumn inspiration tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow...
Seventeen years on. It's remarkable to ponder how much has changed—and yet, where has the time gone? New York and the Nation largely have bounced-back. Yet, for those who escaped with their lives—and for the survivors of those who did not—life will never be the same.
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We are still enjoying the last few days of late-summer's golden light—gently illuminating all things beautifully from low on the horizon. Pleasant days. Cooling nights. Harvest. Leaves. Contentment. This set of six tulip-form cocktail glasses will present your golden bubbly in style. Softly faceted and finished with an iridescent gold wash, they were made in the 1920's and will signal the onset of the season for comfort, gathering and nesting. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design -...
Wonderfully tactile, this pewter heart makes a lovely keyring—and a handsome, sentimental gift. It comes in both the original pewter (shown) and a brassy finish. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes." Similarly, the decorative arts will sometimes "lift" inspiration from an earlier period—reinterpreting the past in a new, fresh and modified way. The vase above, made by Dümler & Brieden in 1972, is just such an example. While the piece has a Mid-Century Modernist sensibility, it is inspired by the earlier Turn-of-the-Century Secessionist Movement. A short walk through Vienna will reveal no shortage of wonderful Secessionist architecture, often embellished with ceramic tile, trim and decor like the vase, shown above. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop...
Aging eyes still appreciate beauty—but sometimes they just need a little extra help! This contemporary magnifying glass packs a nice powerful punch. It is framed in a bronze-finished brass and would make a handsome (and discreet) addition to any desk, kitchen drawer or nightstand. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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What’s a Tsar to do? Try as he might, his people just wouldn’t modernize! Peter the Great had an idea. On this day in 1698, Tsar Peter I levied a tax on all men who insisted on wearing a beard. Clergymen and peasants were exempt from the levy but everyone else had to pay. Men […]
Today is National Paperboys’ Day. On this day in 1833, ten year old Barney Flaherty was hired to deliver the New York Sun. Little Barney—responding to a classified ad seeking “a number of steady men”—was the first of countless boys who made money delivering newspapers door-to-door or on the streets. Despite the romanticized, iconic image […]
Today let us salute—and thank—all those who contribute to our country by the sweat of their brows and the brawn of their biceps. For all those strong legs, straight backs, and enduring wills, let’s be grateful. The iron man, depicted on the cast iron bookends above, represents the hundreds of thousands of iron mill workers […]
From time to time, a country, a community or a culture will re-discover its appreciation for the talented working man (or woman). During the Renaissance, important and powerful guilds were formed to enforce high standards amongst its members and to protect the workers and the reputation of the trade. During the Age of Industrialization, newly-formed unions ensured that tradesmen were trained, properly compensated and kept safe. In the early twentieth century—between the wars—there was an artistic movement which sought to present the laborer (and his class) in a dramatic, dynamic, or heroic manner (think of the American Ash Can painters, Soviet poster art, or the muscular human sculpture which embellishes 1930‘s Art Deco architecture). After World War II, the Danish...
Malachite has been used by artists and craftsmen for millennia—fashioned into jewelry (like the pin, above), carved into decorative objects, even ground-up and added to paints. It is found in the Russian Urals, Africa, Australia, Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. Archeologists have found evidence of the stone being mined in Israel over 3000 years ago. […]
Like a swirling, blazing Van Gogh summer sun, we end August with this enormous "floor vase" by Scheurich, West Germany. Made in the 1960’s or 1970’s, finger-drawn swirls clear-away the outer textured “volcanic” glazing—revealing the orange underglaze below. With this vase, you'll be transported to Provence with a glance.
The Summer doldrums—sometimes called the Dog Days—will soon be behind us. Sweaters will come-out and the school bell will ring. This pair of bronze bookends capture a finely-cast terrier—alert and tense with energy. He'll happily round-up and supervise your book collection on desk, bookshelf or credenza. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Self-portrait of the artist at the age of 24 (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) On this day in 1780, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres was born to Jean-Marie-Joseph Ingres, himself a bit of an artistic dabbler and would-be Renaissance Man. With his father’s encouragement, the son would develop his skill and eventually become one of France’s most […]
Let's end our parade of blue ceramics with this exceptionally handsome piece by Karlsruhe. Formed with heavy strap handles, it is finished with a sophisticated verdigris blue—under which a hint of eggplant shows through. I love this vase! Learn more about it by clicking on the photo above.
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There's something "just right" about the slope of this ceramic vessel—and the arched handle, attached. Made by Van Daalen, it is dressed in an intriguing mottled blue glaze—reminiscent of the Earth, as seen from space. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Summer Blues tomorrow.
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Like an inscrutable Yves Klein canvas, this cylindrical ceramic vase by Hoy Hey wears a rich matte ultramarine blue glaze. Let it bring a sense of centering calm to your busy office or (even busier) home. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Summer Blues tomorrow.
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Something about this unusual vase (the color, the shape?) reminds me of a rare and mysterious sea mammal. I see the beautifully mottled skin of an exotic arctic whale. Or the turgid, "hydrodynamic" form of a North Sea dolphin. And, like these wonderful sea creatures, I've never seen another vase quite like this. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Summer Blues tomorrow.
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Foamy whitecaps of highly-textured glaze ride atop a midnight blue underglaze on this simple vase by Scheurich, West Germany. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Summer Blues tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Sea, sky and ceramics. What could be more summery? Especially in summery shades of blue. For the next few days, we'll be sharing a collection of recently acquired art pottery—all in wonderful shades of summery blue. Like the piece above. Made by Pierrefonds around 1910, this French Art Nouveau vase wears a peppery blue underglaze while a sophisticated cornflower glaze drips over its elegant shoulders. It is equally compelling either alone or as part of a larger collection. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. More Summer Blues tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us...
Today’s the final day of Leo. Tomorrow, the sun moves into Virgo, a sure sign that summer is running its final lap. Enjoy what remains of a beautiful summer and remember: It’s always Leo at LEO Design.
On this day in 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation dissolving the Territory of Hawaii and declaring that Hawaii was now admitted into the Union. Congress had previously passed “An Act to Provide for the Admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union”—and the people of Hawaii voted (by 93%!) for statehood. […]
Our third and final "inkpot" vase is this one by Ceramano. Called "Syrakus," it is hand-striated and finished with gunmetal, black and white glazes. It's one of several pieces from the line, now on-view in the LEO Design on-line store. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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This wonderfully complex studio vase intrigues me. Made by Elmar & Elke Kubicek, it was hand-formed in the shape of an inkpot. Then it was glazed with an oxblood, micro-crystalline glaze—enhanced with a crusty, brown froth. Its most earthy sensibility—color, size and basic shape—is reminiscent of a heart (and not the saccharine, Valentine's Day variety). Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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The "Classic Inkpot" form makes for an interesting and useful vase. Because of its smallish size, it is a great teammate within a larger collection—as it provides size variation while standing in front of taller pieces. And, unlike a bowl, there is no "awkward interior." The finished shoulders always look good—even when looking-down upon it. For three days, we'll be sharing some of our most interesting inkpot vases, now in-stock at LEO Design. The piece above is European-made, from the 1960's, 1970's or 1980's. It is glazed in a spontaneous mix of cobalt blue, rusty brown and hints of white. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently...
Do you ever feel like exiting the rat race? Leaving the city? Joining a nice, simple, cloistered monastery? Perhaps that fleeting feeling is best contemplated during less-stressful moments. In the meantime, a touch of Rectory Chic might give you just enough of a momentary retreat to get you through the rest of the day. Made in the […]
Mother-of-Pearl is the “nacreous” (that is, containing the organic material “nacre”) inner-shell lining of certain mollusks—the same material that surrounds a natural pearl (also produced by those certain mollusks). Like the shells (and pearls) themselves, the mother-of-pearl comes in a range of colors from white to black—though it is usually iridescent, thus, one can see […]
Macbeth, the real King of Scotland, was killed on this day in 1057. At war with England, he was killed in battle during an English invasion (or died some days later, after being mortally wounded). Called “The Red King,” he was the King of Scotland (sometimes called “Alba”) from 1040 until his death. He was […]
Serve-up style with these four double old-fashioned rocks glasses from the 1960’s. The Forehand is demonstrated by our handsome pro, fitted in his crisp tennis whites. Your next cocktail hour is bound to be a racquet! See the set of four glasses by clicking on the photo above.
Since 1976, 13 August has been celebrated as “Left-handers’ Day,” a day to promote the uniqueness and contributions of the world’s “lefties” (estimated at 7 – 10% of the population). Left-handers International strives to raise public awareness of the very real difficulties they often endure living in a right-handed world.
Despite these difficulties, left-handers have contributed significantly to the worlds
On 12 August 1762, King George IV of England was born. His father (George III), with whom he had a terrible relationship, forced him to marry his cousin, Caroline of Brunswick, whom he hated as much as his father. They had one child, Charlotte, after which he kept his wife as far away from himself as possible. He didn’t even allow her to attend his eventual coronation!
Instead, he took comfort in the arms of other women, most notoriously, Mrs.
How can it be? I dislike smoking—and, yet, I love smoking accessories. And this Italian cast pewter "smoking box" is a perfect illustration. With a hinged lid and divots to hold cigarettes or a cigar, it is a handsome solution to an otherwise messy problem. And if you do not smoke, it will hold your cufflinks, rings or collar stays with efficiency and style. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Yesterday we talked about the Fifth International Scouting Jamboree in Vogelenzang (“birdsong”), Netherlands in 1937. Carrying-on with this theme, you’ll see above a hand-painted plaque with two fluffy birds (c. 1960’s – 1970’s). Siblings? Spouses? Mother & Chick? I'm just not sure. What I do know is that it's beautifully designed, nicely hand-painted and would make a handsome addition to any desk, home or office. It was made in Denmark by Fajence Aluminia. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
On this day in 1937, Dutch Scouting (the Padvinders or “Path Finders”) commemorated the end of the Fifth International Jamboree (bijeenkomst or “meeting”) with this Dutch-made ceramic transferware plate. Dutch Boy Scouting was founded in 1910, followed by Girl Scouting the following year. The Netherlands became part of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in […]
Let's end our parade of LEOs with this whimsical offering: a Danish Modern stoneware plaque by Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen. This frisky feline is caught in mid-leap, paw extended toward his feathered feast. It's made to hang on the wall, though it could also be permanently mounted into a tile installation. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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The muscular energy of this cast bronze lioness belies her small size and simplicity of design. And yet, the sculptor has captured—with great economy—the powerful control of this athletic huntress. Learn more about her by clicking on the photo above.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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The only thing better than a LEO is—two LEOs! This pair of bookends, made by Bradley & Hubbard (Meriden, CT) in the 1930's, are crafted of cast iron and finished with a golden wash. They are inspired by the Nineteenth Century work of French anamalier Antoine-Louis Barye. Because they are "mirrored"—that is, one faces left while the other faces right—two moulds were required (and twice as much work). It also means that both of your lions will be facing forward on your bookshelf. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. Another LEO tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which...
Another domestic lioness—house trained, yes, but still a lion at heart! Sculpted of cast brass and finished with a verdigris bronze patina, the sculptor has captured beautifully the intelligence, intensity and coiled energy of a cat ready-to-spring. She'll faithfully guard your coffee table, occupy your windowsill, or even hold open a door for you. Please click on the photo above to learn more about her.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Don't let this LEO's modest size (and price) obscure his style and presence He's full of himself, indeed. Legs astride, he conveys a bold confidence—and will guard your desk or bookshelf zealously. He's made of cast bronze in the American MidWest. Please click on the photo above to learn more about him.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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This cast iron lion is a bank and was made around 1900. He can be opened with a screwdriver and still has traces of the original paint which dressed him. Perhaps a young LEO can practice his saving skills with this handsome and useful gift. Please click on the photo above to learn more about him.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Not every LEO lives in the savannah. These fierce little lions prowl a British backyard. Crafted in England in the 1930's, these cast brass bookends have an "illustrated storybook" sensibility— and were designed and made at a time when children's books did not shy from the spooky, the dark or the moral-laden. Learn more about them by clicking on the photo above.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Today we enter August and—as suggested above—the sun remains high in LEO’s segment of the heavens. The regal bronze-clad lion sculpture, shown above, is modeled after the famous walking lion by French anamalier Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875). It is the jewel in the crown of our collection of handsome lions, now in-store. Perhaps it would make a nice gift for your favorite LEO?
The stylized profile of a proud lion graces the faces of these Danish Modernist cufflinks from the 1950's. They are marked 830 silver and will look great on the cuff of your favorite LEO. To learn more about this pair, please click on the photo above.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Antoine-Louis Bayre (1795-1875) was the premier Parisian Anamalier of the Nineteenth Century. Even today, he remains amongst the best sculptors of animals in history. His works displayed classic, active and highly naturalistic poses—capturing the energy, beauty and dignity of his wild animal subjects. Bayre was well-known in his lifetime and many of his works were cast in various sizes which allowed his work to find homes in museums, grand palaces or upper middle class homes. This pair of bookends, made by Bradley & Hubbard (Connecticut) in the 1920's or 1930's, are inspired by the French master's work. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. Another LEO tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently...
Rippling with tension and anticipation, this regal lion stalks its prey from atop a rocky cliff. The sculptor really captured the energy and attitude of this feline predator—a pair of bookends from the 1920's or 1930's. They are a gift sure to inspire any hardworking LEO seeking to succeed in today's jungle. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this gift.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Many lions drift toward "fierce." This little cast bronze lion is unabashedly cute—and, perhaps, just a little vulnerable. Made in the Michigan, he'll keep you in his gaze with his (dare I say it?) puppy eyes. Click on the photo above to learn more about him.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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A (hungry-looking) mountain lion stalks its prey on this pair of cast iron bookends from the 1920's. Beautifully sculpted, it crackles with tension—and still has small remnants of its original (90 year old) paint. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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The King of the Jungle doesn't mind helping-out in the kitchen. This English bronze mortar and pestle is small but handy—not to mention, stylish. Use it to pulverize fresh herbs and make small batches of culinary pastes. You will find-out more about it by clicking on the photo above.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Just remember: not all LEOs are boys! This cast bronze lioness will stalk your desk with style—holding-down your papers, if you wish. Click on the picture above to learn more about her.
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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This little LEO—made of cast bronze in California—has the word "Courage" impressed upon his tummy. Though small, he is full of style (and substance). And a welcome gift for any LEO in your life. Click on the photo above to learn more about him
Another LEO tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Welcome, LEO! It was 28 years ago, this month, when we first opened our doors on Bleecker Street. Boy, how things have changed! One thing that has not changed is the enormous pride LEOs take in their sun sign, the lion. Therefore, indulge us why we share a "parade" of lion items over the next several days. Shown above, a pair of cast iron "Proud Lion" bookends from the 1920's. They have been cast in fine detail and finished with a copper patina. Made in the 1920's, they will be warmly-received by any self-respecting LEO. Please click on the photo above to learn more about these bookends. And, by the way, LEO extends from 23 July to 22 August. Another LEO...
"Brutalist" design took-off after World War II. It began in the world of architecture, inspired by the design of Le Corbusier—in particular, with his use of unfinished poured cement as a building material. The French word for "raw" (unfinished) cement is Béton-Brut, which (one theory proposes) may have provided the genesis of the word "Brutalist." Cast cement was seen as a revolutionary material in architecture. It was inexpensive, suitable for expressive, novel shapes, and it was "honest" (meaning it duplicated its mould perfectly and presented itself without embellishment or affectation). For better or worse, cement became a very popular architectural material in the 1950's , 60's and 70's. Novel architectural trends spread throughout the design world, including to the decorative arts...
It’s already happening—the Dog Days of Summer have arrived. Hot. Smelly. The crosswalk seemingly sinking beneath our feet. But where does the term originate? It began in ancient Rome. Astronomers noticed that during the period when Sirius (also called the “Dog Star”—and the brightest star in the sky) rose and set alongside the sun, the […]
Let's wrap-up this little parade of green pottery with another studio-made piece, this time crafted by Walter & Gisela Baumfalk. A fine crystalline glaze lies atop a metallic gunmetal undercolor. The tapering form culminates in a lipped top band. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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This European hand-thrown stoneware pitcher is dressed in a metallic gunmetal and mossy-green glaze. The piece has—at once—a naive, folk craft sensibility and a highly sophisticated Modernist edge. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More green ceramics tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Though LEO Design has a broad selection of German ceramics, East German ceramics are much less common and a bit harder to find. The example above, by Karl Jüttner, was made in the Seventies. A hand-incised pot is finished with an organic metallic-moss green glaze. Learn more about it by clicking on the photo above.
More green ceramics tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Though Kermit the Frog might disagree, green is easy. Green—the color of leaves, grass and moss—is restful, restoring, and blends beautifully with wood in an interior environment. I especially like dark, mossy (and a little muddy) greens which give me a sense of cool comfort. The pitcher above, made in the 1960's or 1970's, was crafted by Übelacker, West Germany. The Cubist relief is reminiscent of the Modernist sculpture of Louise Nevelson. Nevelson was born in The Ukraine in 1899 and emigrated to The States with her family as a schoolgirl. Her sculptures were made of found objects, usually wooden, which she assembled in wall-mounted or freestanding "shadowbox" style assemblies. They were often painted monochromatically, often black or white. Nevelson's sculptures can...
On this day in 1486, Florentine artist Andrea d’Agnolo di Francesco di Luca di Paolo del Migliore was born to a tailor and his wife. At eight years of age, the boy was apprenticed to a goldsmith, and, later, to a woodcarver and painter. Before long, Andrea opened his own studio (with a partner) […]
We'll end this little space trip of otherworldly, planetary ceramics with another piece by Ruscha. Glaze master Otto Gerharz has crafted a rich—call it sublime—glaze which captures the mystery and romance of the moon. It was made in the 1960's or 1970's and can be found by clicking on the photo above.
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Here's another wonderful glaze, made by Ruscha's glaze master, Otto Gerharz. Unlike some of the "lunar glazes" shared in the past few days, this glaze is more verdant—like a gassy, oxygen-rich planet. One would suspect that life does exist on this organic planet. The mossy bluish-green overglaze hovers over a slightly metallic brown undercoat. It was made in the 1960's or 1970's and you can find out more about it by clicking on the photo above. More Space Age ceramics tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design -...
Form is nice—but shapes can be easily copied. It's in the glaze master's secret notebook—properly locked away—that the magic is revealed. And this glaze is sensational! Foamy waves of white pumice cling to an equally-textured grey underglaze. It all adds up to an otherworldly effect—like the gaseous clouds encircling a distant planet. Made by Carstens in West Germany in the 1960's or 1970's. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Space Age ceramics tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Another little space capsule: this one a Modernist vase by Anton Piesche. First the piece was finished with a metallic gunmetal glaze and then "slashed" to reveal the clay underbody below. It's one of a small collection of "Space Age" ceramics, recently received here at LEO Design. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Space Age ceramics tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Like the frozen foamy crust on a yet-undiscovered moon, the glaze on this pedestaled ceramic vase has a textured, otherworldly look. Created by glaze master Otto Gerharz for Ruscha (West Germany) in the 1960's or 1970's. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Space Age ceramics tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Recently I've purchased an interesting collection of European ceramics which have a decidedly Space Age sensibility. The decades of the Great Space Race were the Fifties and Sixties—coincident with the blooming of post-War Modernist design. It is not a surprise that the world's scientific zeitgeist would affect the period's aesthetics. Shown here, an East German studio piece from the 1960's by Heiner Hans Körting (1911-1991) for Danburg Pottery. The hand-thrown piece was modeled with an extended, tapering neck—which was carefully sliced and folded-back to create three curing handles. It was fired with warm sandy and metallic gunmetal glazes. It reminds me of an Apollo space capsule from the glory days of lunar exploration. Please click on the photo above to learn...
Saddled-up! Ready-to-go! But first: a little snack! This pair of cast iron bookends, made in the 1920's, still retain much of their original paint. They are certain to please your pickiest equestrian. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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Vasco da Gama was born to a Portuguese noble family in the 1460’s. On this day in 1497, da Gama set-out from Lisbon with 170 men in four ships—seeking an all-water route to Asia. Prior to this, no European seamen had navigated successfully the treacherous waters of South Africa’s “Cape of Good Hope.” An all-water […]
On this evening in 1907, master showman, Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., staged his first-ever Ziegfeld Follies production atop the roof of the New York Theatre, 46 Bowery, on New York’s Lower East Side. Dressed in elaborate costumes and standing upon fantastical stage settings, Ziegfeld’s hand-picked beauties would sing and dance to the music of American composers […]
From Florence, Italy, comes this little Modernist planter—with plenty of hand-executed, folk craft charm. The ceramic pot is thrown, hand-incised and pierced with a ring of little "clerestory windows" around the rim. Then it's finished with a mottled deep red glaze—a red which the Italians do best. It's a remarkable amount of hand-work on display in this little Italian beauty. Made by Fratelli Fanciullacci in the 1960's. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Enter the coming Autumn neat and tidy! This Edwardian English stationery stand will give your desk a bit of organization—not to mention considerable handsome style. Sections of quarter-sawn oak are shaped and assembled into a multi-pocketed rack. You'll find it on our website by clicking on the photo above.
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What does it mean to be "independent"? Does it mean being self-reliant? Self-directing? Free? Or does it mean being separated from the rest of the world? For me, independence means I can be myself—and actualize myself as I wish—provided I do not harm others (or the world they live in). The flip side of "the independence coin" means accepting the differences of others—provided they do not harm me, mine or the world we live in. America's good relations with others has been good for my tiny little business. I have travelled all over the world and built professional relationships with many good people, some of whom have become friends. I've bought items all over the world, shipped them home, and...
On this day in 1819, New York’s first savings bank, The Bank of Savings, opened on Bleecker Street at Crosby. Savings banks had been well-received in Europe in the prior century and both Boston and Philadelphia already had one apiece. They were usually opened by local governments, guilds, or a wealthy, socially-conscious individual with the […]
According to “people in-the-know,” on this day in 1947, an Unidentified Flying Object crash-landed at Roswell, New Mexico. Such believers assert that the U.S. government has sought, since then, to cover-up this alarming—yet compelling—event. Therefore we have “World UFO Day,” a day to build the public’s awareness of (quote) “the undoubted existence of UFOs” and […]
Imagine a world political leader using bravado, war and aggression to generate popular support with his base. That's just what Julius Caesar did—and July is named after him. Gaius Julius Caesar was born on the 12th (or 13th) of July in the year 100 BC. He distinguished himself—amongst the Populares, at least—during the Gallic Wars. As a Roman General, Julius Caesar led (many unauthorized) invasions into what is modern-day France and Belgium, taking the territory and expanding the Roman borders up to the English Channel and over to the Rhine. While these cavalier exploits made him wildly popular with the Roman peasants, it displeased the elite Roman Senate immensely. Though Caesar promoted these attacks as preventative ("attack them before they can attack...
Tomorrow we roll into July—and a hot, sticky summer. Maybe this little guy will help to keep us cool. He was made in Denmark for Royal Copenhagen in the 1960's or 1970's. Let him keep you company on your desk or coffee table—and, just maybe, he'll bring you back to a crisp, cool wintery day. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it
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This little Dutch bowl was made in Gouda, Netherlands and is dated 1925. Romantic "Orientalist" tendrils of hand-painted color swirl with confidence worthy of Leon Bakst's Scheherazade stage design for the Ballets Russes. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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From the Mid-Century, a set of six Modernist highball glasses, each topped with a wide rim of mirrored silver banding. They are certain to smarten your barcart, just in time for your next cocktail or dinner party. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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Father and son team, Franz Detleff Goebel and William Goebel, founded F. & W. Goebel in 1871. Soon afterward, they discovered their niche: beautifully-crafted sculptures and figurines aimed at the collector’s market. For the next 140+ years, the company has grown and evolved—all the while adapting its product to satisfy the tastes of the times. […]
On this day in 1870, Congress declared Christmas a U.S. Federal Holiday. With five months to go before the start of this year’s Holiday Season, LEO Design is already writing orders, traveling to build-up inventory, and preparing for another busy December. Here’s a picture of a punched-tin Christmas sign which I just found in Western Pennsylvania and may […]
We end this little parade of Gräflich Ortenburg ceramics with this red and black glazed "club form" vase. A bulbous base tapers to a corseted neck. Made in the 1960's. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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This simple, beaker-form vase is "elevated" by a small (but elegant) foot. Glazed in red and splashes of black. Made by Gräflich Ortenburg in West Germany. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Gräflich Ortenburg ceramics tomorrow.
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Here's another of the Count's pieces: a conical vase finished with red glaze and splashes of black. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More Gräflich Ortenburg ceramics tomorrow.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
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The Count Alram Graf zu Ortenburg was born in Budapest in 1925—heir to a German estate and a famous, aristocratic lineage. When his time came to inherit the family property, he sought a way to make the estate profitable. Since there were many clay pits in the area, he decided to open a ceramics workshop in the west wing of his castle, Schlosses Tambach, in 1946. Initial production focused on ornate, highly painted ceramic vases, bowls and teacups. But exciting Modernist design—especially out of Italy—caught the Count's eye and he re-aligned the studio's aesthetic to take advantage of this new post-War trend. Gräflich Ortenburg's work were known for their heavy, rounded, Bauhaus-inspired shapes—made of dark red clay. Their glazes were luxurious, thick...
This morning, at 6:07 Eastern Time, the earth hit its Northern Summer Solstice—that is, the point at which the Earth’s Northern Axis tilts closest to the Sun. For us here on Earth (or, at least, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere), the sun will be most northerly in the sky—and the day will be the longest of the year. That’s right: starting tomorrow, the days will begin to get shorter. And, while that might be a little depressing for us, our brothers and sisters in the Southern Hemisphere will rejoice; down south, the days will begin to get longer. At the North Pole—and for countries near the Pole—the day could be endless. In parts of Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia...
Today is the last day of Spring—and I, for one, am sorry to see it go. It seems that Spring only just got here! But Summer's nice, too, and it begins tomorrow at 6:07 am Eastern Time. What's really nice about summer is dressing the part—for, in the summer, luxury meets casual unlike during any other time of year. Classy summer gatherings—polo matches, cricket tournaments, Hamptons lawn parties—require that delicate balance of good taste and summer fun. And these Art Nouveau cufflinks, shown above, are ready to play their part. Imagine them on a white (or pale blue) linen shirt. They are made of sterling silver, etched with radiant guilloche centers, and finished with turquoise and crisp white enameling. Please click on the photo above...
Although The Emancipation Proclamation was passed on 22 September 1862, and it was supposed to be effective—nation-wide—on 1 January 1863, Texas had other ideas. It seems a contingent of anti-government Texas zealots refused to observe the new American law—something about Federal Oppression and States Rights. So, Texans never informed their slaves that they had been […]
We are just a few days away from the Summer Solstice—the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The further North one goes, the longer the days will be. In Scandinavia, Canada and Northern Alaska, the sunlight may seem endless. In Russia, they call this season the "White Nights." Saint Petersburg has elevated this celebration to an art form. Beginning in late May, the city's important Mariinsky Theatre begins scheduling impressive opera, ballet and orchestral music performances. Later in the season, carnival celebrations dot the city—including period carriages, actors dressed in Eighteenth Century costume, and reenactments of historic events from the time of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. And in Saint Petersburg's Palace Square, tens of thousands...
“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years!” – Mark Twain A word of thanks and a wish of happiness to all fathers—and father figures—on their special day. Shown above, an Italian sand-cast pewter minute glass, now in-stock at LEO Design. May it help us to remember how very precious is the time spent with our dads. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next...
A father's greatest treasure is his children. That is, of course, until he has grandchildren! For his less-significant treasures, how about a little hand-carved wooden treasure chest? Delicately chip-carved and incised in Poland, it is a nice place for keeping a few cufflinks, rings or collar stays. It is a convenient place for stashing the keys. And it would be a handsome receptacle for clips or rubber bands on the desk. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design...
Rupert Bear was brought to life on 8 November 1920 under the pen of English artist Mary Tourtel. He was commissioned by the Daily Express as a means of luring readers away from rival newspapers. Over the years, a succession of artists have inherited Tourtel's creation—and, indeed, the comic strip still runs to this day. In it, Rupert Bear and his best friend Bill Badger have adventures with their many chums, including Edward Trunk the elephant, Willie the mouse, Pong-Ping the Pekingese pup, twins Reggie & Rex Rabbit, and Ming the dragon. The little brass sculpture, pictured above, was made in England in the 1920's. He will be a faithful companion on dad's desk or bedside—and may remind him of the many bedtime...
The quadrennial FIFA World Cup begins today in Russia. "Russia?" you ask. Umm-Hmm. And on Day One they play . . . Saudi Arabia! It seems Russia is everywhere these days! In this one case, however, America will not be in-collusion: the U.S. failed to make it into the final 32 qualifying teams. (So much for Making America Great Again). The U.S. team does have notable company on the sidelines: Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast all failed to make it into the tournament. Fox Broadcasting, which had already purchased the U.S. rights to cover the games, is concerned that American viewership will be even lower than usual (given no American team in the competition). Instead, they will...
If your dad's a teacher, this gift will hit the mark. But even if he isn't, he may relish the opportunity to ring for a little attention. Made in England during the 1880's or 1890's, this bronze Aesthetic Movement school bell is topped with a turned ebonywood knob. Large and heavy, it is certain to be noticed—sitting on a desk or being shaken with vigor. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. More Father's Day gift ideas tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome...
Perhaps literature strikes your father's fancy. Or—wow!—poetry. Here's a pair of bookends which celebrates two writers of note. Alexander Pope and Andrew Young were both British poets—the former an Englishman, the latter a Scotsman—and both men were influential in their times. Pope (1688 – 1744) had a difficult early life. As a Catholic, he was not allowed to go to school (due to the English “Test Acts” which banned Catholics from teaching, attending college, holding public office, or going to Catholic grade school). Alexander was homeschooled, for a time, and later attended an illegal, underground school. When a law was passed disallowing Catholics from living within 10 miles of London, his family moved to the country and the young man’s...
Sand-casting is an ancient method of metalwork whereby the original item (to be duplicated) is pressed into a tray of sticky sand. When the object is removed, it leaves behind a depression into which molten metal is poured. After cooling, the newly-cast piece is retrieved, cleaned-up and ready for the next manufacturing step. It's a very simple method and not highly sophisticated, thus, metal objects made this way are subject to small manufacturing idiosyncrasies (pock marks, burrs and wavy surfaces). In the case of this Italian sand-cast pewter photo frame, little flaws simply serve to add charm to the piece—and underline the frame's handmade bona fides. Shown above, a 5x5 frame with tight all-over stippling. It is one of many...
In the 1920's—a few years after most middle class men lost their valets—someone invented snapping cufflinks (like the pair shown above). The idea was simple: before putting-on the shirt, the two halves of one cufflink could be inserted into the button holes on each cuff (using two hands). Once all four "halves" were in-place, the man could don the shirt and simply snap the links together. This made dressing alone easy and fast—no more struggling with one hand to insert an unwieldy cufflink on the opposite wrist. This style of snapping cufflinks only enjoyed a brief period of production. By 1941, the U.S. was drawn-in to World War Two and men's jewelry makers suddenly were busy making accessories (cufflinks, pins...
