Alongside his buxom companion, “Day” rests also atop the tomb of Giuliano de’ Medici, Duke of Nemours. Carved by Michelangelo between 1526 and 1531, this muscular, male nude has been described “as intensely alert as a recumbent form can be.” “Day” and “Night” are but two of seven sculptures by Michelangelo to be found in […]
Long before Cole Porter wrote his brilliant and witty tune, another (earlier) artistic genius explored the themes of “Night and Day.” Michelangelo Buonarroti—premier Florentine Renaissance giant—sculpted a pair of imposing marble nudes which he draped upon the tomb of Giuliano de’ Medici (Duke of Nemours) in the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Florence. Created between […]
February is National Bird-Feeding Month, a period during which the public is educated about the feeding and watching of wild birds. It began on 23 February 1994 when Representative John Porter (R – Illinois) introduced into the record a plea for individuals to provide food, water, and shelter for wild birds—especially in February, one of […]
A Satyress is the female version of the Satyr—in this case, a human woman, usually bare-breasted, with the legs of a goat. While male Satyrs are commonplace in art, architecture and design, female Satyresses are not. Because the male creatures are usually associated with drunkeness, mischief and raw, animalistic sexuality, perhaps Classical and Rennaisance artists avoided […]
While we’re talking about Tragic Monarchs, let’s turn to England’s Charles I. On this day in 1649, King Charles I was beheaded after being convicted of High Treason. Born the second son of James I (who was already King of the Scots), Charles moved to England when his father acquired the English crown. When he […]
On this day in 1891, in Honolulu, bells tolled and cannon fired as Lili’uokalani ascended the throne, succeeding her brother who had died days before. She became the first queen to hold the Hawaiian throne by her own right, not as a “queen consort.” But getting to the throne—and staying there—was not easy. She was […]
On this day in 1813, “Pride & Prejudice” was published in London—attributed only to “the author of ‘Sense & Sensibility’.” Today we know the author was Jane Austen. We also know the book was long in coming. Jane Austen began writing the book in 1796 and titled it “First Impression.” The next year, her father […]
On this day in 1832, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was born. He studied and taught mathematics at Oxford, excelled in the new art form, photography, was an Anglican Deacon, and wrote poetry and books—under the pen name, Lewis Carroll. While teaching at Oxford, he befriended a new dean, Henry Liddell, his wife and children. The youngest […]
Antoine-Louis Barye was a Parisian Animalier—a sculptor of animals. He was born in 1796 and got his start as an apprentice under Napoleon’s goldsmith. In 1816, he was admitted to the Ecole des Beaux Arts where he pursued sculpture—initially honing his talent with medallions and bas relief works. Barye enjoyed spending time sketching animals of the […]
If you think the long January nights are cold in New York, steer clear of Scotland. Except for tonight, 25 January, widely celebrated as Robert Burns Night. Robert Burns was born on this day in 1759. A poet and lyricist, Burns adapted and popularized many ancient Scottish folk poems—as well as writing his own original […]
Just received, a Burmantofts “Chinese Red” classic “Oriental” vase, made in late-Victorian England. It captures beautifully the West’s fascination at the time with Eastern culture (Far-East and Middle-East) and Europe’s attempt to replicate the Oriental style in its own way. Burmantofts was a pottery manufacturer in Leeds, England. It was established in 1859 when a […]
American sculptor Cyrus Dallin (1861 – 1944) unveiled his masterpiece, “Appeal to the Great Spirit,” in Paris in 1909—where it won the gold medal at that year’s Paris Salon. It became popular immediately—especially in America—and the image has been used everywhere from advertising to album covers. Smaller copies of the work have been made and installed across […]
Following the Bronze Age, the Iron Age was the period in which iron and steel were developed for tools, weapons and other objects. Iron—a pure element found in rocks called “iron ore”—was more difficult to extract than the copper and tin used for the earlier bronze. However, once smelted, iron was easier and cheaper to […]
Bronze is an alloy (a “blended” metal) of copper (generally 88%) and tin (12%)—though the mixture is often manipulated depending upon the intended use of the crafted object. The first known use of bronze was in what is modern-day Iran, around 3600 BC. The name, “bronze,” is derived from the Italian bronzo (from the Latin […]
We end our procession of newly-acquired vintage bookends with this extraordinary pair dated 1922. The bas relief was sculpted by artist Olga Popoff Muller as a special commission for the New York Decorative Arts League. It depicts a quiet, domestic scene from the 16th president’s life, inspired by an 1864 photo by Matthew Brady. The seated Lincoln […]
Amongst the new collection of recently-acquired bookends is this strange and wonderful pair. A charioteer drives his team of four horses—limbs out-stretched, nostrils flaring—as he races around the ancient circus. While I’ve bought and sold many-a-pair of horse-themed bookends over the years, seldom has the sculptor contained so much frantic energy and motion in so […]
Ever feel like you've had enough? It seems to be going around. Another day—another news cycle. Turn your despair into beauty (well, a little bit) with this handsome pair of Art Nouveau bookends from the 1920's. Our bronze-clad scholars "rest their eyes" for a moment. Perhaps they've just heard the latest tweet? Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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Besides keeping busy as a true Renaissance Man, Benjamin Franklin found time to help found The United States of America. He was born on this day in 1706. Franklin was one of 10 children, born to a poor soap- and candle-maker in Boston. Ben was smart and industrious; alas, his father could only afford two […]
The Gothic is, in my opinion, the high point of human architectural design. Begun in France in the 1100’s, the style was originally called Opus Francigenum (or “French Work”) due to its strong association with the French. It spread throughout Europe and remained en vogue until the Renaissance, some 400 years later. It was most commonly […]
The Arts & Crafts movement promoted the idea of the hand-made. And while such objects could be quite finessed, some pieces enjoyed a more naive, folk art aesthetic. An example in point is the hand-hammered copper tray, shown above. Beaten of heavy copper, the raised edges are further decorated with scalloping and hand-cut piercing. The […]
Through the ages, ceramics have played a very important part in human societies. Ceramic objects—ranging from the highly utilitarian to the purely decorative—are amongst the most plentiful finds in archaeological sites and tell us much about its long-gone inhabitants. And museums are full of shards from which the lifestyles of ancient civilizations are deduced. Even […]
When the Woolworth Building was completed in 1913, at 792 feet it was the tallest building in the world—and would remain so until the Chrysler Building surpassed it in 1930. Employing state-of-the-art principles like steel frame construction and high-speed elevators, the Woolworth Building paved the way for even taller skyscrapers in the future. Yet, despite […]
The Arts & Crafts movement—and her corresponding “cousins” in other countries—was at full-flourish in the 1910’s, the same decade that brought us “The War to End All Wars.” Wars have a way of changing everything: populations, hierarchies, habits, even the decorative arts. During wartime, “frivolous indulgences” are usually relegated to the back burner while all […]
Yesterday we showed an American Arts & Crafts brass humidor which enjoyed design inspired by the Gothic. Shown above, another metal vessel of the same time period—1910-ish—but this time made in France. It was made by the Parisian couple, Alice and Eugene Chanal. Both were born in 1872. Starting about 1910, they produced a range […]
Arts & Crafts design often was influenced by other, earlier aesthetic movements: native cultures, heraldry, the medieval. The designer of the brass humidor, shown above, tapped into the Gothic—as shown in the steel “strapwork” riveted to the sides and tops of the canister. It captures a bit of what I call “Jules Verne Futurism”—a vision […]
Scare away the winter’s chill with this pair of nicely-cast iron bookends from the 1930’s. Made by Bradley & Hubbard, they capture (in rather good detail) all the elements of a fireplace—right down to the bark on the logs! Interestingly, while the sculptor strove for a traditional domestic setting, the bookends are thoroughly handsome and […]
In the year 1924, Mr. Stangl was promoted to company Vice President. Fulper Pottery, ever-expanding, built a second factory, also in Flemington, to produce its new line of “Fayence” tableware: plates, bowls, tea sets and other food service-related items. Sold as “open stock,” some of the dinnerware was solid-colored and some were hand-painted with Art […]
In the previous entry about the Fulper Pottery Company, it was 1910 and Johann Martin Stangl had just joined the firm. He created a line of highly-regarded Arts & Crafts pottery with complex, organic glazes. Mr. Stangl also developed a line of art pottery lamps, glazed in his trademark finishes—some of them topped with ceramic […]
In previous days we told of our newly-acquired collection of art pottery. We continue our introduction of recently-received matte green pieces with the vase above, made by Fulper. In 1814, Samuel Hill founded Hill Pottery in Flemington, NJ, making water pipes, crocks, jars, and other “utilitarian ware.” When Mr. Hill died in 1858, one of […]
A high-fired “Chinese Red” glaze sits above one of rusticated blackish-brown. Made by Jopeko in post-war West Germany, this piece perfectly captures the spirit of Mid-Century Modernism without being cold or sterile. It’s part of a recent collection of red Modernist art pottery now in-store. Please come into the shop to see the entire collection […]
In Arts & Crafts woodwork, the most highly-prized wood is usually “Quarter-Sawn.” In regular (non-quarter-sawn) wood milling, the log is run lengthwise past blades which cut the log into a number of parallel planks. When the cutting is done, the log could be reassembled like a sandwich—with the center planks being the largest and the […]
When I first discovered these beautiful photo frames—designed and made by Edgar Berebi in Providence, Rhode Island—I was astounded by their quality and old-time craftsmanship. First the frames are cast in pewter, then hand-chased (finished) to remove any flaws or rough areas. Next they are plated in 24 karat gold, enameled, and decorated with hand-set […]
While tulips always remind me of spring (and Holland), I enjoy looking at them year ’round. With this pair of American Arts & Crafts candlesticks, I could. Designed in the form of a stylized tulip, these candlesticks are hand-hammered and silver-plated. Made in Connecticut in the early Twentieth Century, they’ll bring a touch of botanical […]
Let's start the New Year with a jump: a frisky feline leaps—half-heartedly—toward his temptingly delicious prey on this Danish Modern stoneware plaque. Sculpted by artist Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen, this oversized tile can be hung on the wall or permanently mounted with other tile work. Please click on the photo to learn more about it.
What a year! In every way! In January, after 22 years in Greenwich Village, I closed our bricks-and-mortar location. I miss The Village dearly. Even more, I miss those loyal customers who supported LEO Design throughout the years—many of whom have become my friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. After finding a wonderful 1906 Arts & Crafts home in Pittsburgh, we sold our Chelsea apartment and made the 400 mile move to Western Pennsylvania—one 16 foot truckload at a time! We alighted in a leafy Oakland neighborhood, two blocks from the University of Pittsburgh. In some ways, our neighborhood has the (diluted) feel of the area surrounding NYU—a tidal pool of bustling student life which rises and...
A pewter dove flies over the domed lid of this faceted glass tobacco jar from the 1910's or 1920's. Originally intended to hold pipe tobacco, such a jar is perfect in the kitchen, office or bathroom—to keep handy (with style) the everyday supplies you need. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Tiny explosions of violet crystals burst-forth from this unique glaze by Wendelin Stahl. A muted teal underglaze provides a sophisticated contrast. Wendelin Stahl and his wife, Else, ran a ceramics studio in a German castle in Klotten, Burg Coraidelstein. They are considered amongst the top Modernist ceramicists in Germany. Click upon the photo above to learn more about this piece.
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From the Ukrainian spa town of Worochta (in the Carpathian Mountain), comes this hand-carved folk box—inset with little glass beads. It's the perfect blend of sophisticated style and proficient folk craft and is dated 1937. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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From the island of Bornholm, Denmark, comes this heavy, handcrafted bowl by Michael Andersen and Sons. Hand-impressed rim decor encircles a swirling interior—which still bears the fingermarks of the potter. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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In aristocratic England, household servants were expected to serve their employers on Christmas Day. The day after Christmas, therefore, was a day of rest and celebration for working men and women—and the day on which they (and special tradesmen) would receive their "boxes" (gifts) from those whom they served. Shown above, a Victorian English painted steel hat box, c. 1860's - 1870's.
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Today I give thanks for the loyal customers who have supported LEO Design—in word and deed—during the Holiday season and throughout 2017. Merry Christmas!
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It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old.
From angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold.
"Peace on the Earth, goodwill to men," from Heaven's all-gracious King.
The World in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.
- Edmund Sears (1849)
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As Geoffrey Chaucer reminds us, "Time and Tide wait for no man." Neither will Christmas (my addition). Perhaps an Italian cast pewter sandglass will keep you focused on the time. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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Christmas on the Moon? This Mid-Century vase, made by Carstens, is at once rocketship modern and as rustic as the caves at Lascaux. Highly-textured cratering adds a rough-and-tumble sensibility to this piece—suitable for a Modernist or Arts & Crafts interior. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Today the Sun enters the heavenly zone of Capricorn (21 December - 19 January). Capricorns are the "Big Daddies" of the zodiac. They are realists, goal setters and strategists. They analyze, pick their destination, determine the shortest route and then keep their foot on the gas pedal. They make good, practical leaders, who keep their troops on the straight-and-narrow—not easily pulled off-track to "smell the flowers" or "try something new." They enjoy family and work life, and are often happiest when they can blend work and pleasure. All this stoic self-direction can have negative aspects, however. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorns can be stern taskmasters—with no appreciation of spontaneousness or creative chaos. Foolish decisions really get their goat! And their paternalistic...
Western artists and designers have long been intrigued with an Eastern aesthetic—whether from the Far or Middle East. This bowl, made in England in the 1930's, has tapped the rich legacy of centuries-old Middle Eastern hand-painted tileworks—the colors turquoise and cobalt and the use of striking graphic elements, combined in swirling, star-like patterns. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it..
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What do you get when you combine Beauty (Art Nouveau), Wisdom (an owl) and Function (a letter holder)? You get this handsome and practical desk accessory, made in the 1910's—form, beauty and function. Perfect on a man or woman's desk, this little guy will help you keep-organized in style. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Although this piece of West German ceramics was made by Jasba—with modern, post-war production methods—it has the texture and feel of a "studio piece," one made by a much smaller, "artistic" workshop. Please click on the photo to learn more about it.
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Founded in Portugal in 1887, Claus Porto makes a range of fragrance and bath products—including their classic Musgo Real collection. Shown above, the classic aftershave—which I've been selling for 23 Christmases. In our on-line shop, you'll also find their shave cream, their soap-on-a-rope, and a special men's grooming gift assortment. Click on the photo to learn more.
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Reminiscent of a vented wall panel on a Star Wars space shuttle, this American Art Deco rose bowl was made by Roseville in the 1930's. The Futuristic ribbing, combined with the simple matte white glazing, makes for a piece which works in any environment—and, yet, is not at all boring. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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I've been told that this print depicts Turn-of-the-Century American boxer Jack Johnson—who toured the world as a prizefighter. Of this, I'm not certain. What I do know is that the print was made by Sir William Nicholson, RA in 1898. Nicholson was an accomplished fine artist, a painter, who paid the rent with his recognizable prints of sporting events, fictional characters or people of arts, letters and politics. He would create the original artwork by carving into a woodblock from which he would make his first prints. Once a good woodblock print had been produced, Nicholson would use the newly-invented lithography to create quality reprints, usually in portfolios of a dozen (or so). Two other things which Nicholson produced were...
This sensuous vase by Ruscha, is clothed in a dappled violet & steel glaze treatment—reminiscent of some otherworldly planet, moon or celestial being. I rarely find purple vases and—even more often—don't really like them. Needless to say, I LOVE this vase. I find the swirling glaze to be extremely comforting and satisfying. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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I spent 10 days in Japan this summer—and did not see ONE of these fantastic hand-carved Hokkaido bears. Instead, I came across a Japanese collector in London who was selling his collection of them! I bought four (which can be seen on the website, www.LEOdesignNYC.com). This one is the biggest—and amongst the biggest carved bears I've ever had. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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As I mentioned before, I love the softness of English Art Deco. Unlike it's American counterpart, English Deco pieces seem to have been placed in a gentle tumbler, softly removing any sharp edges. The ashtray shown above was designed by artist Keith Murray for Wedgwood. Born in New Zealand, Keith's family moved back to England when he was 14. Although he studied architecture, he was hired by Wedgwood to help execute their new strategy: to create good-looking ceramic items which could be produced with mass production technology. Wedgwood realized that young customers (in the 1930's) had good, modern taste, but often little money. They wanted to produce items which this demographic could afford and would buy. Unlike other Art Deco...
Please your favorite oenophile with one of our handsome, vintage corkscrews. Shown above, a French Art Deco cork pull with a wooden bobbin-turned handle. It's the "softer side" of Art Deco—more often seen in the English or French varieties of the movement. Click on the photo above to learn more about it and see the full range of vintage corkscrews on-offer.
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This summer, while in Oxford, I was corrected when I complemented a friend's "Conservatory." "Actually," she said, "it's an Orangerie." I was informed—and shall always remember—that a conservatory has a lot more glass, including the ceiling and (mostly) glass walls. An Orangerie often has brick or wooden walls (albeit with windows) and a glass ceiling. While you may not have an Orangerie, you could certainly have this English Art Deco footed bowl, decorated with painted orange trees. The pattern was designed in 1925 by Norman Keates for Crown Ducal. It would look great in the kitchen (with fruit), handsome in the entry hall (for letters), or elegant in the bathroom (with fancy soaps). LEO Design's Greenwich Village store...
Christmas is just around the corner. Is your party wear ready? Fret not; this pair of ruby and emerald-enameled cufflinks will take you there in-style! Made in Thirties England, these Art Deco beauties are embellished with darkly-handsome hues of red and green. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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Though this West German Modernist vase was intended for an avant garde interior, there is no denying it has an old soul. Its shape, for starters, is based on that of an ancient stele—those large, important and sometimes crude slabs of stone, often embellished with decoration or writing, used as commemorations, grave identifiers or boundary markers. The Rosetta Stone is amongst the most famous (and important) such stele. Then there's the texture of the ceramic and its complex, stoney glaze which implies old age. But for a bold, blue band, everything about this piece contradicts its Mid-Century Modern provenance. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed....
Candlesticks, more or less, come in two common sizes: "Regular" and "Tiny." "Large" and "In-Between" are few and far between. Thus, it was with great excitement that I found this pair of mid-sized Victorian English Aesthetic Movement candlesticks on my last trip to England. Not only are they nicely-scaled for a dining table or dinner tray, they look great alongside one (or more) of the more typically-sized candlesticks. If you like clustering multiple pairs of candlesticks, these are the elusive "In-Betweens" that help create a variety of heights in your collection. 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...
Does anyone dislike aqua? Sure, one person might prefer a little more blue—another might fancy a little more green. But, at the end of the day, "aqua" means "water" and water means life. It's a hard color to hate. Shown above, a handsome English Arts & Crafts vase, attired in a richly-dappled aqua glaze. It was made by Pilkington Royal Lancastrian in the 1920's and it would provide a refreshing splash in any room—or any season. 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...
The Art Nouveau Movement in Germany was called Jugendstil—literally "the young (or new) style." Like its sister styles throughout the world—including the Arts & Crafts—the Jugendstil promoted the use of handcraft, unadorned natural materials, organic shapes and ancient symbols or references. The hand-beaten loving cup, shown above, was made by the Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF), a German metal workshop which had been founded in the mid-Nineteenth Century. WMF hit its artistic peak at the turn-of-the-century, coincidental with the Art Nouveau period. The hand-hammered copper cylinder is embellished with hand-tooled Celtic Knots. Two hand-cut brass salamanders become the riveted handles. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome statement piece. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently...
Kermit's lament to the contrary, I find green a very easy—and comforting—color for decorating. Of course, I love dark wood and what looks better with dark wood than leafy greens? But even in stark, Minimalist Modern interiors, green can provide a softening touch—a bit of nature in an otherwise glassy-steely environment. This vase, made by Ruscha, provides an organic color and a random, primordial aesthetic—very natural indeed. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this piece. 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 Gifts"...
At LEO Design, we sell a lot of Double Old Fashioned rocks glasses. Less common is a single whiskey glass, like the set shown above. Its smaller size makes it perfect for an after-dinner nip. It is also great for smaller hands or people who find a larger glass difficult to hold. This set of four glasses from the 1970's shows an "Olde World Map," embellished with 22 Karat gold trim. 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...
One of the nicest pieces of pottery I've collected this year is this sensational English Arts & Crafts vase by Pilkington Royal Lancastrian. Made in England in 1912, it is the perfect balance of sophisticated Orientalism and naive handcraft. You'll re-live memories of sunny summer days every time you look at it. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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A whimsical moustache crowns this hand-hammered copper English Arts & Crafts photo frame, further embellished with a perimeter of bosses. Made around 1900, it will still bring handsome distinction to a favorite portrait or other photo. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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Let's end our Parade of Pottery with this piece—from across the English Channel—from France. In 1944, as WWII was raging, four young Paris bohemians elected to flee The City of Lights rather than risk being pressed into the service of the enemy Germans. They moved South to safety and settled in Cluny, which was a bit farther from the German line. They found work in a local ceramics workshop and learned the craft of the potter. On the side, they began making ceramic buttons, strictly for their own use. In 1945, once the war had ended, they got a call from a friend in Paris—Christian Dior—who placed an order for 300 ceramic buttons. He was working on a new look (The New...
In the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries, Westerners were fascinated with "The Orient." Art, architecture, fashion, jewelry and music of the time were influenced by Eastern aesthetics. Orientalism is the (sometimes despised) practice of Western artists adopting and appropriating Asian and Middle Eastern styles, themes and motifs into their European art. Personally, I don't reject Orientalism; I rather like it. But, rather than view it as an authentic representation of another's culture, I think of Orientalism as something wholly new and unique—the re-interpretation (and adaptation) of Eastern aesthetics through Western eyes. The English Arts & Crafts vase, shown above, was made by Pilkington Royal Lancastrian around 1905. It seems to have been inspired by Chinese ceramics—or, perhaps, inspired by...
If you've ever visited Leighton House in London—the home and studio of painter Frederic Lord Leighton—you'll never forget the blue ceramic tiling in the ground floor receiving room. The English Arts & Crafts piece above, made by Pilkington Royal Lancastrian in the 1910's, is a kissing cousin of the ceramics to be found in the artist's home. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More handsome art pottery tomorrow.
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Bearing a remarkable (perhaps Impressionistic) resemblance to the Earth as seen from space, this Ruscha West German rosebowl is dressed in watery shades of blues, purples and greens. Ruscha's glaze master was Herr Otto Gerharz who developed many incredible glazes for the company before leaving to form his own pottery workshop. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this piece.
More handsome art pottery 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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One of my favorite things to collect is ceramic art pottery. I think of it as "jewelry for the home." And I know I'm not alone; the world over, since the dawn of time, people have been making and using clay pottery. In fact, some of the oldest human artifacts found in archeological digs is ceramic works—both utilitarian and aesthetic. There's a pleasing tactility to ceramics. With the nicest pieces, one can almost feel the potter's spirit while holding a piece made in his or her hands. For the next few days, I'd like to share some of our newest art pottery finds with you. Shown above, an East German Vase made in the 1960's or 1970's. For a piece made...
Let's end our procession of photo frames with this offering from Turn-of the-Century England. A handsome oval is topped with a festoon of ribbon. It's a lovely, classic treatment for a favorite vintage photo. You'll learn more about it by clicking on the photo above. And see our full range of vintage frames in our on-line store.
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A "Snaffle" is a style of equestrian "bit"—that is, the metal device held in the mouth of a horse which allows the rider to control his steed. And, considering England's horsey heritage, an equestrian aesthetic should be a tried-and-true favorite. This little brass frame, made in the 1880's or 1890's, will lend a handsome (and horsey) feeling to your bookshelf, mantlepiece or bedside. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this frame. More vintage frames 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 Gifts"...
Frames with "Oxford Corners," like on the frame shown above, were not invented in Victorian England. One can find the occasional example throughout history. But, during the Mid-Nineteenth Century's Gothic Revival, "Oxford Frames" became quite the rage. Perhaps the "churchy" sensibility of the crosses suited the heavy, dark aesthetic of the times. Yet they have a remarkably clean and modern look—making them perfect in a room full of antiques or a room screaming Mid-Century Modern. Click on the photo above to learn more about this frame. More vintage frames 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...
Now to France—where this frame was made in the 1920's. A garland of fleurs-de-lys surround the circle, the perfect surround for any face you love. Click on the photo above to learn more about this frame.
More vintage frames tomorrow.
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Here's something a little different—and sweet. It's a Victorian English double brass chain frame, c. 1880's - 1890's. Pop-in your two little Munchkins and your Mom will be forever grateful. Note the frame's current inhabitants: two tiny embroideries! Click on the photo to learn more about this frame.
More vintage frames 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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Everyone loves to receive a photo—parents, grandparents, godparents and more. Slipped into a handsome vintage frame, a simple photo can be elevated to a whole new level. Since most of our frames are from the late Nineteenth or early Twentieth Centuries, they tend to be small—which is not all bad. A small frame takes up less space; it can be placed into a tight spot or in front of larger objects (other frames). And giving a small frame (and picture) as a gift, means a smaller space imposition required of the recipient. The frame above was made in Victorian England, c. 1880's - 1890's. The brass chain fits easily within any decorative aesthetic—whether a feminine dressing table or a masculine...
Straddling the Arts & Crafts and Mid-Century Modern aesthetics, falls this handsome brooch and earring suite, made in England in the 1940's. Blue marble cabochons are framed with bold silver settings. The result: jewelry that is both soft and striking. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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I've bought and sold many Scottish agate brooches (and pendants and cufflinks) over the years. Usually, the compelling feature of any piece is the color, pattern and movement in the stone. In the piece shown above, however, the stone is actually faceted with a complex web of triangles. Not only does the beauty of the stone shine-through, but the light dances off of the face of the stone as it refracts off the various facets. This adds an additional dimension to a handsome piece of jewelry. Click on the photo to learn more about this piece—and see our full collection of jewelry while you're in the on-line store. More Handsome Jewelry tomorrow. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now...
Connemara is a village in beautiful, windswept Western Ireland. Oscar Wilde called Connemara "a savage beauty." Under the scrub brush, Connemara Marble is quarried. It was formed undersea some 600 million years ago and is amongst the rarest of marbles, due to its limited supply. Creamy swirls of the green and white stone have decorated the the mantlepieces of the wealthiest Irish aristocracy as well as the floor of Galway Cathedral and the walls of the Senate Chamber in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The pin above, hallmarked Dublin, 1966, is set in sterling silver and will take one back to the rugged coast. To learn more about this pin, please click on the photo above. More Handsome Jewelry tomorrow. LEO...
Throughout the summer and autumn, I've been traveling a lot, collecting "Handsome Gifts" for my customers' Holiday giving pleasure. Finding jewelry, it seems, requires a bit of kismet. I seem to stumble across nice pieces of jewelry while in the pursuit of something quite different. The piece above is no different. While perusing a case of silver flatware, I saw this lone brooch huddled in a corner. I didn't buy the silverware—but I did come away with the brooch! It was made in Victorian England and is hallmarked Chester, 1887. Though Prince Albert—Queen Victoria's beloved husband—had been dead for over 25 years, the Queen (and, thus, the Empire) was still in-mourning. While women (including the Queen) did want to wear...
This Edwardian English brass turtle, made around 1905, stands up off the ground and has a hinged-shell lid. It's a nice place to keep a spare key, a few pairs of cufflinks, matches on a mantlepiece or clips on a busy desk. Please click on the photo above to learn more about him. And take a look at our nice collection of Handsome Gifts for the Holidays—many just acquired on an English buying trip.
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I once spent a short week in Budapest, Hungary. My, what a wonderful city! Walking through the streets (or sailing down the River Danube) one can see that the city was, indeed, once the crown jewel of Europe—and important (at different times) to the Romans, the Ottomans, the Holy Roman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire (who made it their capital). Architecturally, she hit her peak in the Nineteenth Century and kept going right through the Art Nouveau period. When the Soviets took-over (1948 - 1989), the building largely stopped—though, perversely, this lack of "modernizing" may have helped to preserve the wonderful, older architecture. Amongst Budapest's many wonders is the Kerepesi Cemetery. Opened in 1847, it is loaded with theatrical, late-Nineteenth Century statuary...
This perky pair of pups—Boston Terriers—will push-up your precious publications. Made in the 1920's, these cast iron canines are nicely-modeled and finished with a golden patina. They really have a lot of attitude—not to mention, style. Perhaps they'd be cherished by a Boston Terrier keeper—or any dog lover. Click on the photo to learn more about them. On our website, you'll also see many other handsome pairs of bookends.
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America's 16th president is captured—in crisp, bas relief profile—on this pair of 1930's cast iron bookends. A little Neo-Classical, a little Art Deco, they will make a handsome (and useful) addition to the library of your favorite historian, lawyer or president-to-be. Click on the photo above to learn more about them. And while you're on the website, check-out our large collection of bookends—a gift sure to be appreciated by any bibliophile.
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Books are associated with study, wisdom and erudition. With this in mind, an aging scholar—"Ye Philosopher"—studies his scroll while holding-up your books. These heavy, bronze-clad beauties were made in the 1920's—and they work as well as they ever did. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them and check out our on-line shop where we have dozens of handsome bookends—which make the perfect Handsome Gift!
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For the past two days, we've been looking at the precursors of the modern bookend—specifically, book racks or "slides" designed to hold a small collection upon a desk, table or shelf. In the Twentieth Century, with the expansion of the Middle Class (with its new-found wealth and significant disposable income), books were found in more and more homes. This was a great time for the publishing business—and a great time for the foundries which made bookends! The 1920's and 1930's, the period between the Wars, is sometimes called "The Golden Age of Bookends." We have a large collection of bookends made during this Golden Age. Shown above, a pair of English brass bookends from the 1930's. A pair of spaniels...
Here's another Victorian English folding book slide, made in the 1870's - 1890's. Heavy rosewood is decorated with hand-pierced brass mountings which are riveted to the wood. Like yesterday's posting, this one has a Jacobean Revival aesthetic. It will slide open to hold from about eight to a dozen books. A perfect way to honor your special collection or to keep-handy your most-used reference books. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. And visit our website to see our collection of "Handsome Gifts"—many of them newly-acquired. 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:...
In the old days, only the wealthiest could afford a library. A wall filled with books was a sign of intelligence, worldliness and lots of money. Poor people might have two or three books, including a Bible. And middle class families might have a dozen books—including poetry, a cooking book, an atlas and a few other reference books. For such a middle class booklover, a desktop "book slide" (or book rack), shown above, would suit his needs. Perched upon the desk, it kept those cherished books close-at-hand. This folding book rack—embellished with hand-cut brass and riveted bone strips—was made in Victorian England, c. 1880. It revives the style of the Jaccobean period, some 350 years earlier. "Modern" pairs of bookends,...
A silver lining in the otherwise dark cloud of global warming is—more time for tennis! How about another game before the courts are littered with leaves or smothered in snow? Or, if it's a bit too cold for you, how about a round of indoor drinks? In this set of four double old fashioned rocks glasses, made in the 1960's or 1970's, our handsome tennis pro demonstrates "The Forehand" in illustrated stop-motion decoration. A welcomed gift for the tennis lover in your life. 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)....
While there were many carriage trade Art Deco glassmakers—Lalique, Moser, Baccarat, Hoffman and Palda—somewhat overlooked have been some of the "everyday" glass manufacturers of the 1930's. In France, England, Czechoslovakia and The United States, there was brisk production of handsome Art Deco glassware, some of it decorative, some of it functional. Such an example is this nice, smallish French Art Deco citrine glass ice bucket. Its softly-ribbed corners are nicely finished and the weight of the piece says "quality." Like so many of the period's mass production glassmakers, this one remains unknown (to me, at least). It does, however, reflect a time when everyday objects were well-made and made to last. And it would make a sensational addition to your...
Alice asked the Cheshire Cat, who was sitting in a tree, "What road do I take?" The cat asked, "Where do you want to go?" "I don't know," Alice answered. "Then," said the cat, "it really doesn't matter, does it?" What a font of wisdom, this mysterious, mischievous cat! Shown above, an Edwardian English brass dish—in the form of a (grinning?) cat—made around 1910. Most Englishmen of the day would have known Lewis Carroll's books and its array of crazy characters. This little dish could be used to hold coins, rings, keys, cufflinks or clips on a desk. It is one of the many new treasures—Handsome Gifts—recently collected in England. To learn more about it, please click on the...
After Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland (1865), he wrote a sequel: Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. It was published in 1871—some 30 years before this mirror was crafted. Still I couldn't help thinking, when I found it in Oxford this summer, that some "first generation" reader of the Alice novels might have peered-into this glass. Now the mirror is stateside, ready to bring it's mystery (if not magic) to some American home. 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...
This “Bank Manager’s Lamp” is classic, heavy and perfect for a stately desk. And the base forms a convenient “tray”—the perfect place to stash business cards, notepads, paperclips or your mobile phone. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. More brass lamps tomorrow. LEO Design’s Greenwich Village […]
Joining our “parade” of lamps is this simple—and simply handsome—option. It’s a tapered brass column, set upon a heavy square base, and finished with a completing tapered final. This lamp is not too big, not too small—just perfect for bedside, sideboard or mantlepiece. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. And please call us for further information about our lamps, including various shade options, lead times, or any other questions you might have.
Here's another handsome brass lamps, made by a small New England company. Heavy, well-finished and very good looking, it comes with a soft antique finish which will darken over time. If you want, you can polish it up for a bright finish. Personally, I like to give it a kiss of polish every six to nine months—just enough to make them look clean, not too bright. The lamp above is formed of a heavy column upon a handsomely-turned base. It provides substantial punctuation in any room—singly or in pairs. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it and feel free to call for further information on shade options, lead times or dimensions. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is...
A handsome, contemporary brass lamp, this one lashed with brass laces and punctuated with brass studs. This lamp sits equally well in either an antique, traditional or Modernist setting. It has a specially-crafted finial which completes the laced, tapered look. Please click on the photo to learn more about it.
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On this day in 1850, the first “National Women’s Rights Convention” was assembled in Worcester, Massachusetts. Lectures, discussions, and speeches addressed issues of equality for women: wages, education & careers, property rights, and, of course, voting. Also present were groups advocating temperance and the abolition of slavery. The idea germinated ten years earlier, in 1840, […]
On this day in 1857, the city of Anaheim, California was founded by 50 German families—grape farmers and vintners. The name is a compound of “Ana” (for the nearby Santa Ana River) and “Heim,” German for “home.” When the grape crops were destroyed by disease, farmers began to plant nut trees and citrus. On the […]
As American art pottery studios go, Rookwood has always been one of the more artfully-minded workshops. It also has a very interesting history. In 1876, Cincinnati heiress and art lover Maria Longworth attended The Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia—where the ceramics presentation held particular interest for her. Alas, the American entries proved anemic; indeed, the rest […]
What does France have to do with the American nation—birthed 241 years ago today? Well, a lot, it turns out. France provided substantial aid to the American revolutionaries, mostly in the form of covertly-supplied weapons. French volunteers—including Pierre Charles L’Enfant and the Marquis de Lafayette—joined the American fighters and provided important counsel to General Washington. […]
