While all mothers are welcomed at LEO Design, “Leo Moms” always stir-up a little extra enthusiasm. And for just such a mother, how about an Italian cast pewter lion? Hand-made outside of Florence, this King of the Jungle will be happy to reign over your mom’s desktop, bookshelf or mantelpiece. Please come into the shop […]
For “Cat Mothers,” perhaps our (half-sized) Crouching Cat sculpture would do the trick. Made of cast brass and finished with a verdigris bronze patina, this feline is all tension and coiled energy—eyes on the prize, ready to spring! It would look great on a hearthstone, bookshelf or even in the garden (where it will develop […]
Another great gift idea for a wonderful mother is a nice piece of vintage art pottery—something pretty or something useful or both! Of course, a nice ceramic bowl or vase looks great brimming with cut blossoms. But, even when it’s empty, a beautiful piece of artfully-crafted pottery is a reminder of your kindness (and good […]
Another wonderful Mother’s Day gift—one that’s pretty, useful and bright. It has had a long and interesting journey and it still looks great! In the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries, department stores were the premier shopping venues in American cities, East to West. The very best department stores became the taste-makers for the carriage trade—and for […]
With Mother’s Day less than a week away, we’d like to show some great gift ideas for the world’s best Mom. And we’ll start with beautiful photo frames because—after all—what does a mom (or grandmom) appreciate more than another photo of the kids? We stock a very wide range of handsome frames, including those pictured […]
Let us welcome May with its warmer days, flower blossoms and birdsong. Emeralds are this month’s birthstone—amongst the post precious and coveted of gemstones. They were first mined in Egypt from 1500 BC and later in Austria and India from the 1300’s AD. Since then they have been found on most continents, most plentifully in […]
April bids us “Farewell”—or rather this winsome rabbit does. He’s made in Japan of cast zinc and has a Cubist design. He’s part of our large collection of rabbit sculptures—in zinc, bronze, brass and ceramic. Please come into the shop to see him and his warren mates. See new merchandise first! […]
A pair of engaging birds—a warbler and a nuthatch—have alighted at LEO Design this spring. Made in Canada of heavy cast bronze, they’d be happily employed as paperweights or content to just sit around, looking pretty. Please call or come into the shop to see them. See new merchandise first! Follow […]
From stylish Art Deco France comes this six-piece icy-blue faceted glass liqueur service. Serve your guests “a little something” after dinner with this sweet and handsome drinks set, made in the 1930’s. Please come into the shop to see this stylish liqueur service in-person or call us for further information. See new […]
Though Spring began over six weeks ago, it can be difficult to remember this—for it’s still been so cold! Nevertheless, Spring is in full-blossom at LEO Design where we have many new greeting cards for the season. Flowers, birds, and landscapes—we have a greeting card for nearly every sender or receiver. Please come by the […]
In John Patrick Shanley’s wonderful film Moonstruck, actor John Mahoney describes his beautiful young student as “fresh and bright and full of promise as moonlight in a martini.” While his object of desire may be taboo, the sentiment is, nevertheless, beautiful. I thought of that tender scene (with Mahoney and Olympia Dukakis) when I first came […]
This set of eight crystal cocktail (or wine) glasses are blown in a pleasing “tulip” form and are hand-etched with the simplest of decorations—vertical “teardrop” slashes. Probably made in 1960’s Germany, they are part of a new shipment of glassware now in-store at LEO Design. Please come into the store to see the whole new […]
We’ve just received a new shipment of vintage glassware, some of which we’ll showcase over the next few days. First-up: this set of eight softly-faceted crystal coupes, gold-banded at the rims and feet. Made in the 1940’s or 1950’s, they appear never to have been used—they are in flawless condition. Of course, there are no […]
Maybe it’s Mad Men, maybe it’s just time for a revival—but rocks glasses have been popular and remain a strong seller at LEO Design. Classic rocks glasses—whether cut crystal, printed novelty or simply unadorned—continue to be “on trend” with our Spring glassware customers. Shown above, currently in our shop window, a set of four Double […]
Let’s end our showcase of recently-acquired European art pottery with this handsome piece by Bay, West Germany. For me it evokes a perfected underwater scene—perhaps like a stylized background found in an animated Disney film. Scrolling latticework reminds me of a screened wall within a placid, underwater palace; flowering ropes of seaweed sway in the […]
We hop back to West Germany, circa 1970, where we discover this intriguing ceramic jug. A strong design—including a heavy strap handle—is finished with an unexpected two-part glaze of cornflower blue and mossy green. The handsome matte finish is reminiscent of some British glazes of the 1930’s and 1940’s. It was made by Karlsruhe in […]
Now a piece from England: a Pilkington Royal Lancastrian art pottery vase from the 1920’s or 1930’s. With its vertically-ribbed, gourd-like form, it straddles both the Arts & Crafts and Art Deco movements. And the curdled citrus glazing evokes lemons, oranges and tangerines. Its nice size, handsome form and bold coloration make it a real […]
It’s not a shipment from Europe if it doesn’t have at least one piece of red pottery in it. And here it is: a red and black glazed pot by Bay, West Germany. Little squiggles provide surface decoration and texture—not to mention a ceramic topography resistant to the dominant red glaze. Modernism meets Folk Art […]
When I was a boy, I read (and was captivated by) a book by Eleanor Cameron titled The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet. Published in 1954, it followed the adventures of two California boys who responded to a mysterious classified ad in the newspaper. The boys built a rocketship (as the ad requested) and […]
We continue our parade of newly-received European art pottery with another Scandinavian participant, Jørgen Mogensen. He was born in Denmark in 1927 and began his ceramics career (after art school) as an apprentice at Royal Copenhagen in 1949. He worked with many of the Danish greats: Knud Kyhn, Axel Salto, Gerd Bogelund and Nils Thorsson […]
When I first saw this East German pitcher by Strehla, my mind went immediately to Pablo Picasso’s 1905 painting “Family of Saltimbanques” (in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC). The hand-painted cubist, harlequin pattern would have made a perfect costume for one of Picasso’s sad circus performers. There were only two problems: by […]
While this piece tempts me to reference “Under the Tuscan Sun,” it’s probably a bit more Italian Mediterranean Coastal than Florentine Hill Country. Furthermore, it probably looks more like Jupiter than it does the Sun. None of this matters; this 1960’s Italian glazed ceramic sphere transports me to a sun-baked Italian villa—where I’d happily spend […]
Today we travel to Denmark, where the handsome piece above was crafted. The glazing was created by (Swede) Nils Thorsson, one of the most prolific designers at Royal Copenhagen. He began his career with the company at 13 years old, even before going to art school. For many years, Thorsson served as Artistic Director for […]
This week we’re sharing selected pieces of European art pottery, recently received at LEO Design. The piece above, made by Carstens in the 1960’s or 1970’s, has an otherworldly, “alien” sensibility to it. “Moon craters” seem to rise from the chalky-white surface of the vase. It’s a wonderful example of form and color coming-together to […]
“Studio” art pottery is a hazy term, sometimes used to embellish the description of a ceramics piece which cannot be more-precisely identified. Small workshops—indeed, individual potters—sometimes made beautiful and wonderfully inventive pieces, which some might consider a step up from the more-common, mass-produced wares. And, in some cases, large manufacturers would foster a “studio line” […]
We’ve just received several large shipments of art pottery from Europe—England, The Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and Eastern Europe. Over the next dozen days, we’ll be sharing selected pieces with you. You may also visit our Instagram account (“leodesignhandsomegifts”) or peruse our on-line shop where some of the pieces have already been listed. We start […]
Every year I find a single stuffed animal—usually a teddy bear—and he becomes that year’s “Holiday Bear.” We pile a bunch of them into a large ceramic pickle crock, right next to the front door, and keep selling them until they’re gone. Last Christmas, in honor of LEO Design’s twentieth anniversary, I selected a different […]
Bem Vinda! Welcome to Joana from Claus Porto in Portugal—who visits our store for the first time today. Although I’ve been selling their products for over twenty years, we’ve been serviced by an American rep, not top management from “the home country.” The American rep has now retired from the line and Joana is taking-over […]
I bought the crystal tumblers shown above—now in the shop window—from a collector with very good taste. I’m not sure where they’re from; my educated guess tells me either France, Czechoslovakia or the Greater Austro-Hungarian Empire. Though I do not know where they were made, I do know that they are definitely Art Deco—from the late […]
Angular, stylized sail boats ply deep blue waters on this set of four Modernist rocks glasses from the 1970’s. Perfect for all manner of summer beverages, their frosted glass would make for summer-perfect votive holders, too. Please come into the shop to see them or call us for further information. See new […]
This pair of recently-acquired bookends ticks several boxes for me: lions, sculpture, bronze, bookends. Beautifully sculpted and crisply cast, they appear to have been little-exposed to the elements—for the bronze is remarkably rosy after all these years. The figure of a confident (yet unpretentious) lion surveying his domain, would be an handsome addition to any […]
Though this pair of West German urns are from the Mid-Twentieth Century, their stylish sculpting references Ancient Greek ceramics design—and their metallic black glazing is reminiscent of basalt. They would provide the perfect accent upon many a mantelpiece—whether Industrial, Modernist, Traditional or Neoclassical. They’d also make a wonderfully handsome pair of lamps. Please come into […]
While summer is still many weeks away, recent hints of warming weather have put me in a summery mood—as have the sterling silver Art Deco cufflinks, shown above, which I’ve just received. Made in the 1920’s or 1930’s in Providence, Rhode Island, they have a handsome, radiant guilloché under-pattern, glazed with an ultra-summery combination of […]
Glassware is always a good seller for us, especially crystal champagne coupes. And, with Spring wedding season upon us, we’re due for a brisk selling period. Shown above, sets of Japanese icy blue crystal champagne coupes and demi-coupes. Of course they’re perfect for bubbly, but coupes are also very hot right now for various mixed […]
On this day in 1893, a secret meeting was convened at 121 Regent Street, London. In attendance were some of Britain’s leading Arts & Crafts designers, artists and influencers: William Morris, John Ruskin, Christopher Dresser, Edward Burne-Jones, John Pearson, Archibald Knox and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. They had not been informed of the purpose of the […]
The Stangl Pottery, in Flemington, New Jersey, traces its origin to the Hill Pottery company, founded in 1814. Hill Pottery, like many early ceramics manufacturers, made “utility wares”: crocks, water coolers, sewer pipes. Hill Pottery eventually became Fulper Pottery, an “artistic ceramics” manufacturer, and it hired “ceramics engineer” Johann Martin Stangl to develop interesting new […]
Stylish bands of silver and gold surround this Italian amethyst glass covered bowl. On the lid, a circle of stylized, hand-painted leaves congregate around the knob. Perfect as a candy dish, a desk caddy or as a place to (carefully) leave one’s keys and coins. Please come into the shop to see it or call […]
Beautiful quality crystal is further embellished with a hand-cut “trailing botanical” decoration on this set of six champagne coupes from the 1930’s or 1940’s. Made by Fostoria in West Virginia, they have an unusual reeded and corseted stem design. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. See new […]
Owls have long symbolized Wisdom and Intelligence. The Ancient Greeks associated them with the goddess of knowledge, Athena. And because owls moved silently through the night, they were sometimes associated with mystery or “otherworldliness.” Here a wise owl sits patiently on the pine branch of this American Art Nouveau letter rack, made in the […]
In pubs across England—in the early Twentieth Century—functional brass serviceware was given a “decorative lift” by way of a handsome crocodile embossment. Weary barmaids slung such trays and pitchers back-and-forth, back-and-forth, all night long to tables of increasingly-enthusiastic patrons. And the simple, stamped croco design turned an otherwise utilitarian object into a thing of exotic […]
This week we’ve been sharing selected pieces from our recent shipment of European art pottery, now in-store at LEO Design. Let’s end the parade with something a little different: a stoneware plate by Giefer-Bahn with an incised decoration and a hand-painted salt glaze finish. Geifer-Bahn was founded in 1947 by Klothilde Giefer-Bahn, then a newly […]
While I don’t know much about this bowl, I do know that I like it. The contrast of a shiny “eggy” amber interior against the flat, earthy, gunmetal exterior makes for a handsome presentation. The hand-impressed ovals of criss-crossing add a folk art flavoring. And the variegated, lightly-crazed interior glaze reminds me of a Van Gogh […]
A classic (and timeless) two-handled urn is first finished with a dark brown underglaze, then overglazed with “blocks” of dripping white finish. The shape alone makes a strong impact—which is only intensified by the bold coloration. Made by Carstens Tönnieshof (West Germany) in the 1960’s or 1970’s. Please come into the shop to see […]
I’m always on the hunt for green art pottery—especially, mossy, earthy (even muddy) greens. When I find such a glaze on a piece of West German pottery (which is rare), I’m all the more thrilled, for it was the brightly-hued color tones which ruled the Mid-Century day. The piece above was made by Van Daalen, […]
At first glance, one might think the little ceramic pitcher above is rather unimpressive—even boring, perhaps. But, look closely, and one can see the depth and complexity of the drip glazing—and coloration which reminds me of the planet Mercury. Even the shape is perfect and it feels so nice in the hands. It was made […]
This week we’re sharing some of our just-acquired European art pottery, now in-store at LEO Design. The examples above are Italian Modernist ceramics made in Florence by Fratelli Fanciulacci (c. 1960’s). The firm was founded in 1862 and was considered one of the better post-war art potteries in Europe. Fratelli Fanciulacci was devastated by the […]
Carstens was not the largest West German ceramics producer but it did a good job of bringing-in design talent to keep the product fresh and ahead of the competition. One such assignment was given to Gerda Heuckeroth, a woman who was given free-range within one division of the company. She experimented with shapes, naturally, but […]
I just love this vase! Strong red glazing—on a shapely and interesting form—is embellished with hand-piped “squiggles.” It makes for a piece that’s both handsome and fun! Made by Dümler and Brieden (West Germany) in the 1960’s or 1970’s, it looks equally good within a collection or standing alone. Please click on the photo above […]
It’s a great day for the Irish! And the Italians, too! Modernism meets the ancient on this hand-crafted stoneware pitcher by Bitossi. Chunky, textured clay is formed into the classic (and timeless) shape of an ancient Etruscan jug—then hand-incised and painted with fresh, modern colors. It’s one of many new pieces of European art pottery, […]
We’ve just received another large shipment—mostly art pottery—this time from Continental Europe. Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing with you select pieces from this newly-acquired collection. Shown above, a most-handsome piece by Steuler. A “foamy” highly-textured light blue glaze drips down over a metallic gunmetal underglaze. Founded in 1917, Steuler operated in the […]
White Mother-of-Pearl is a classic, timeless choice for cufflinks, shirt studs and dress sets. Note, after all, that most men’s shirts are finished with white buttons at cuff and shirt front. And yet, while the material is timeless, the soft square shape of the button indicates this dress set’s stylish modernity. Made in the 1950’s, […]
During World War One, Princess Mary—the only daughter of King George V—made-up little brass boxes, one for each sailor and soldier serving His Majesty, The King. Within each box, the serviceman might find cigarettes, some note paper, a pencil and, perhaps, a bit of chocolate. The embossed cover shows the princess in profile, her royal […]
Three of the United Kingdom’s iconic plant symbols are presented on this English Arts & Crafts hand-tooled brass tray from the turn-of-the-century. Scotland provides the thistle, Ireland the shamrock, and England the Tudor rose. Though entirely functional as a tray or serving piece, one may prefer to hang it from the wall as a splendid […]
Victorian and Edwardian England was enchanted by the East—especially the Far East. The leisure class might take a trip to “The Orient” once in a lifetime. And merchants, like Liberty of London, brought shiploads of Asian ceramics and other artworks to an eager Western consumer. Aesthetes, designers and other tastemakers (like Dr. Christopher Dresser) would […]
I purchased the hand-tooled copper tray, shown above, in England—and, indeed, at first I thought it was English Arts & Crafts. But, as I inspected it, some of the tooling, and the crenelated gallery treatment didn’t seem quite British to me. Then I found a mark on the back with its tell-tale Arabic characters. I’m still not […]
Victorian and Edwardian Englishwomen had an object for every conceivable purpose—including a “pin tray” in which to keep their hair accessories. Thus was “hatched” the rather dour-looking “Cornish Mackerel” pictured above. Made of cast brass in the Teens or Twenties, it would (indeed) be the perfect place to keep hair pins—or rings, collar stays, cufflinks, […]
We’ve just received a shipment from England—a nice collection of metalware including some nice brass and copper trays. Over the next few days, I’ll show you select pieces from the new collection. Shown above, an English brass tray—about the size of a pie plate—with a hand-hammered Arts & Crafts stylized botanical motif. Very often the […]
As in “Sing a Song of Sixpence,” a ring of bas relief blackbirds encircle this Danish Modern bowl by Marianne Starck for Michael Anderson. The deeply-carved creatures “pop” crisply from the outer walls of this golden stoneware bowl—a handsome and light-hearted addition to any dining table, sideboard or coffee table. Please click on the photo […]
Amongst our newly-acquired glassware—now in-store at LEO Design—is this handsome set of crystal martini glasses, each lightly hand-etched with sprays of pine needles. The set of six quality crystal stems was made by Fostoria (West Virginia) in the late 1950’s or 1960’s. Please come into the shop to see them—and the rest of our vintage […]
Part of our new shipment of vintage glassware: a set of six Italian amberglass stems for sherry, port or any liquor of your choice. Please come into the shop to see them in person or call for more information. More newly-acquired glassware tomorrow. See new merchandise first! Follow us on Instagram: “leodesignhandsomegifts”
“The Age of Exploration” meets “The Age of Don Draper” with this set of six Old World Globe rocks glasses from the 1960’s. They are part of a recent shipment of vintage glassware, now in-store at LEO Design. Please click-upon the photo above to learn more about them—or come into the shop to see the […]
More glassware: this time a set of eight crystal wine stems with hand-etched Fleurs de Lys. While the glasses were made in the 1950’s or 1960’s, the silhouette and proportions of the design are clearly inspired by 18th Century French wine glasses. While absolutely traditional, they lack the pretension of contemporary long-stemmed wine goblets—which will help […]
We’ve just received a new shipment of glassware and will share some of the highlights with you over the next few days. Two interesting sets of glasses—a set of eight highball tumblers and a set of eight double-old-fashioned rocks glasses—are now in-store. Textured, graphite-like stripes are printed on the glasses, giving an interesting surface aesthetic […]
The “Bloodstone”—also known as the “Heliotrope”—is the traditional birthstone for the month of March. Bloodstone is a variety of dark green jasper (an opaque chalcedony) with flecks or streaks of hematite (iron oxide)—impurities which give the appearance of red drops of blood scattered over the dark green stone. The name “heliotrope” comes from the Greek […]
Today is Leap Day—which makes our newly-received English “Rabbit” card particularly apropos. It shows a detail from an Arts & Crafts tapestry, now displayed in the V&A in London. The tapestry was designed by a trio of artist-designers: William Morris (who designed the trailing acanthus leaves), Phillip Webb (who designed the animals) and John Henry […]
We continue our little parade of newly-received English greeting cards with this one from the National History Museum in London (one of my two favorite buildings in that city). Renderings of various dinosaurs march across the card while two bronze dinosaur sculptures stand guard at front. It’s a perfect card for your youngest (or oldest) […]
Another English card, another English artist. This time it’s from painter Cecil Aldin’s (1870-1935) picture, “Jack and Jill.” Aldin studied painting at the National Arts Training School in London and found his first commercial work providing illustrations for London magazines and other periodicals. Loving animals, he painted a lot of dogs and horses and scenes […]
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful, pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. Edward Lear’s 1871 poem has been intriguing children for nearly 150 years. It was also the inspiration for the English greeting card pictured above. The illustration is […]
We’ve just received a shipment of early-Spring cards from England. Over the next few days we’ll share some of them with you. Shown above, a grouping from the Victorian and Albert Museum in London. With 4.6 million objects in its permanent collection, the V&A is the largest museum of decorative arts in the world (and […]
Rocks glasses continue to sell well and I am always on the hunt for elusive “novelty” glasses which remain tasteful. Shown above, a good example: a set of four “Double Old Fashioned” glasses with a tasteful, gold-check design. Please come into the shop to see them in-person. See new merchandise first! […]
Matthew J. Whittall had been a production supervisor in a large carpet mill in Worcester, Massachusetts—the bustling center of Nineteenth Century American rug manufacturing. In 1874, he founded his own mill, M. J. Whittall and Associates, in a small building in Worcester. Business took off! Before long, he was buying the land next to his […]
With the winter’s cold, in comes this trio of playful Danish bears. Designed by sculptor Knud Kyhn and made by Royal Copenhagen in the 1970’s, they have taken-up residence with our large collection of mid-century stoneware bears. Please come by to see them and their case-mates here at LEO Design. See new […]
While some may find it too cold to contemplate champagne, others won’t let a good opportunity pass. Just in at LEO Design, this set of six nice-quality crystal champagne coupes from the 1960’s. A simple, classic bowl sits atop a lightly-embellished stem—in the form of a reeded column. We just can’t seem to keep nice […]
The Germans didn’t have a monopoly on crafted brass trays. Shown above, an English Arts & Crafts brass tray, embellished with a scrolling “whiplash” decoration. Imagine it in the breakfast room of a handsome Edwardian home—across the English channel from Continental Europe. Made by Joseph Sankey and Sons, it has two brass handles and six […]
From the Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik—more-easily referred to as WMF—comes this handsome and useful brass tray from the early Twentieth Century. Hand-hammered of brass, it measures nearly 18″ across and bears the classic WMF ostrich mark showing that it was made between 1909 and 1914 for the French market. It is a nice example of German Jugendstil […]
For millennia, the oil lamp has been a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. How appropriate, then, that such a lamp should keep-straight your favorite books on your bookshelf, desk or credenza. Made in the 1920’s or 1930’s, they have a classic simplicity befitting simple wisdom. Please come into the shop to see them or click […]
Now in-store, a new lion card from English card-maker, Chase & Wonder. At LEO Design, we love lions—and I couldn’t pass-up this Edwardian Dandy when I found him. Like a Nineteenth Century engraving, the card is finely drawn and crisply printed. Come into the shop to see him—and the rest of our new shipment of […]
A somewhat youthful Dante Alighieri, the grand master of Italian letters, is captured in a thoughtful mood—presiding from his seat of knowledge. Nicely sculpted, then bronze-clad and hand-painted, they will bring a touch of culture and class to any library, study or office ($395). Please call for more information or come into the shop to […]
Like yesterday’s champagne coupes, this set of six smoked crystal wine glasses were made by Fostoria (West Virginia) in the 1960’s or 1970’s. Sensuously sculpted bowls sit atop beautifully tapered stems—a perfect presentation for white or red wine ($195 for the set of six). Please come into the shop to see them or call us […]
Perfectly sculpted—modern yet sensuous. Six lightly-smoked crystal champagne coupes are perched atop clear, tapered stems. Made by Fostoria in West Virginia in the 1960’s or 1970’s ($195 for six). Please come into the shop to see them in person or call us for further information. See new merchandise first! Follow us on […]
We’ll end our “Week of the Monkey” with this simian fellow—tense with anticipation, wound-up and ready to spring! He was made in 1959 by artist Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen. He’d bring a good deal of coiled energy to your bookshelf, mantelpiece or coffee table. Please click on the photo above to learn more about […]
Here’s a super monkey for the Year of the Fire Monkey. Made in the 1920’s by Danish ceramicist Knud Kyhn, it is impressive in size, style and artistic impact—certainly a “statement piece” in any interior design setting. Please click on the photo above to learn more about him or come into the shop to see […]
Since we’ve just started the Year of the Monkey, why not make it the Week of the Monkey? Over the next few days, we’ll share a few of our interesting primate offerings from the shop. Shown above, a happy chimp, arms raised in victory. Modeled by ceramicist Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen and produced in […]
Gong Hay Fat Choy! And a Happy Lunar New Year to all! 2016 is the Year of the Fire Monkey. People born under this sign are ambitious and adventurous, though they can also be irritable. Generally speaking, “Monkeys” are intelligent & witty, fast learners, crafty, have magnetic personalities and are usually healthy because they are […]
We may have waited a while for it, but winter is finally here. How timely, then, this new acquisition: a Danish Modern vase by Johanne Gerber for Royal Copenhagen. Barren branches are silhouetted against a pale sky—while blue flowers (or are they snowflakes?) fall in and around them. This good-sized, flask-form vase would look equally […]
Perhaps Spring is still a bit far-off—at over six weeks away. So, while the winter doesn’t bring us warmth, it does allow for beautiful blue skies. And, you’ll have to agree: these Art Deco cufflinks are a beautiful sky blue. White, black and sky blue enameling grace the fronts of these sterling silver cufflinks, punctuated with […]
While shivering through winter’s short days and long nights, savor a thought of impending Spring. These cheerful and handsome cufflinks should do the trick! Sterling Art Deco octagonals are etched with a scrolling botanical guilloché pattern, then enameled with bold stripes of yellow and black. Whether you think of daffodils, bumble bees or a warm, […]
Embrace winter’s chill with a new pair of wint’ry blue cufflinks. Made in the 1920’s, they boast a crisp, sapphire blue enamel over a striped Art Deco guilloché design. They are part of a new shipment of handsome cufflinks, just received and in-store at LEO Design. Please come into the shop to see the or […]
According to ancient Greek mythology, Dionysus—the god of wine—pursued a beautiful maiden by the name of Amethystos. Her prayers to remain chaste were answered by the gods: she was turned into a beautiful white stone. Dionysus, in his grief, poured wine over the white stone, turning it violet. And, thus, the first amethyst was created. […]
After (seemingly endless) months of campaigning, boasting and (yes, sometimes) lying, the candidates vying for the White House will get their first dose of “meaningful feedback” tomorrow as the Iowa Caucuses finally take place. Why a small number of people in a handful of small towns in a couple of small states should have such […]
An exquisitely-cut Bohemian peach crystal bowl—probably the work of Czech glass master Karel Palda from the 1950’s ($275). His workshop was founded in 1888 in the northern Czech village of Nový Bor (called Haida by the Germans—just a few miles away). Palda is best known for his exquisite, sometimes over-the-top, Thirties Art Deco creations in enameled […]
When, in 1764, French king Louis XV granted permission for Prince Bishop Cardinal Louis-Joseph de Laval-Montmorency to open a glassworks in the eastern village of Baccarat, the monarch was thinking drinking glasses, mirrors and windowpanes. In fact, that is precisely what the workshop made for its first 50 years. In 1816, under Napoleon, the company […]
Taste the “high” life with this set of six Mid-Century Modern rocks glasses from the Seventies ($165). The airline’s logo is emblazoned in gold upon a smoked glass whiskey tumbler—though we’re not certain which airline it is. So sit back, relax, and imagine yourself in a swanky First Class cabin in the still-early days of […]
René Lalique was born in 1860 in Ay, France, 85 miles east of Paris. His father died when René was four and the young boy was soon apprenticed to a Paris goldsmith where he developed an early appreciation for beautiful design and quality workmanship. At 12, René began art school where he studied drawing and […]
Palmettes are a stylized graphic representation of a splayed palm frond. They were first used decoratively by the Ancient Egyptians, followed by the Assyrians, Greeks, Etruscans—and, somewhat recently, in Western Art Deco. In 19th Century Victorian England, palmettes (still popular) were called the “Anthemion Motif” (from the Ancient Greek term for “flower”)—and were sometimes interspersed […]
The 1960’s and 1970’s enjoyed a little Art Nouveau revival. While French Art Nouveau fonts graced Carpenters album covers and Czech Mucha posters inspired psychedelic rock band tee shirts, little Italian dresses were being made of the colorful, swirling, Nouveau-inspired prints of Emilio Pucci. Shown above, a set of eight Austrian crystal wine glasses with […]
Plenty of shoveling—and one intrepid customer (so far). As it gets colder, darker and deeper, we may close early. Please call before coming (212-929-8466). And, by all means, stay safe. We’ll be open at Noon tomorrow.
The soft spring colors of these two ceramic birds—mother and chick—have alighted just as winter’s snow begins to fall! Nevertheless, they’ll be happy (and safe) ’til Spring. The pair was made in the 1960’s by Artist Erik Engqvist for Swedish ceramics workshop Jie Gantofta. “Jie” was the nickname of John Ewert Johnson and he founded […]
Let’s say you’re an aspiring young despot. Although you’re Italian, you’ve just helped fight the French Revolution—sweeping those bothersome monarchs out of your path to glory. You’ve impressed your new countrymen with your military savvy and ruthlessness. And, after all, someone does need to lead the country. What to do. What to do. “French Emperor” […]
I love bookends and I am always intrigued with early Native American themes—which makes the pair of hard-to-find bookends, pictured above, just perfect. A mounted Indian completes the coup de grâce on his charging quarry. Nicely sculpted, then cast and bronze clad, they would look great in any library, office or Arts & Crafts home. […]
