An armored night stands atop this Belgian Art Nouveau heavy cast brass letter knife, a souvenir from Belle Epoch Brussels. Part of the allure of Art Nouveau was its "reviving" of earlier, local culture, literature or mythology. The Gothic—the Medieval—was a popular choice in several Western countries. This handsome fellow will add a touch of Gothic Glamour to one's desk. It is also a practical gift—sure to remind the user of a generous friend each time a letter is opened.
The day after Easter—called "Easter Monday" or "Bright Monday"—is a national holiday in many Western countries (though not in the United States). Banks and government offices are closed and families relax together or participate in customary activities specific to their locale. Many of these celebrations involve eating special foods, often out-of-doors. Italians and Spaniards picnic in the countryside or barbecue outside. Coptic Christians in Egypt eat fermented mullet (also outdoors!). Sporting activities are popular elsewhere. In Australia, horseraces and rugby games predominate. Germans play egg-rolling games (Catholics joining-in after Mass). And some Austrians organize walks called Emmausgang—recreating the walk of the disciples along the Road to Emmaus (on which two of the disciples recognized the resurrected Jesus when he appeared...
Happy Easter! And a Blessed Ramadan and Passover, too. This week, all three Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, Islam—simultaneously celebrate their important annual holy days, a coincidence which only happens approximately once every 30 years. For Christians, Easter commemorates the fundamental belief that Jesus rose from the dead, thus saving the World. Easter marks the end of the 40 day Lenten Journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. With Passover, Jews celebrate their covenant with God—and His deliverance from from their slavery in Egypt. Muslims observe a month of fasting, prayer and good works, a regimen of sacrifice, discipline and spiritual cleansing. In all three religions, prayer, fasting and almsgiving (or good works) play a critical role in preparing one to better encounter...
Spring is here—and so are the tulips! I've always loved the "rubbery squeak" of tulip stems being arranged in a vase (always best with a fairly narrow neck). And a tulip's lovely cup-form blossom is unlike any other flower in the garden. The American Arts & Crafts candlesticks, shown above, were made by Meriden in Connecticut around 1910. The candle cups and stems are inspired by tulips. And their hand-hammered texturing—which was subsequently silver-plated—gives a soft sheen to the metallic surface. Meriden, Connecticut—about 20 miles north of New Haven—enjoyed tremendous prosperity during the Industrial Revolution in the second half of the Nineteenth Century. As the Nineteenth Century became the Twentieth Century, metalworks became the predominant industry of the city, which...
Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Christian calendar. It's the day when Christians contemplate and memorialize the condemning, torture, crucifixion and death of Jesus. Although the day is a dark one for Christians, it also marks the last hours before the great triumph, Christ's resurrection.
Shown above is a pair of German Jugendstil wrought iron candelabra. Made in the early Twentieth Century by Hugo Berger, they display the stark (but beautiful) aesthetic of honest handcraft. Wrought iron bars, some of them scalloped, support five candle cups. Pierced steel provides a stylized, floral inset. A softly faceted, hammered foot plate catches the light. And the dark patination gives the piece a centuries-old appearance.
When I travel to other countries, I frequently am reminded just how short is the history of the United States. Put another way, things have moved much more quickly in America than in some other places. Sometimes the merchandise I collect helps to illustrate that point. Consider the handsome walnut oval photo frame, shown above. It was made in the 1850's. Let's propose that it was made during the presidency of Millard Fillmore (1850-1853). This was still three presidencies before that of Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865). And, while the frame is considered "Victorian," we must remember that Queen Victoria reigned for a very long time; 18 American presidents held office during the length of her rule (and three more before she even...
Chad Pesach Sameach! Happy Passover!
Passover is the annual Jewish celebration commemorating the Israelites' escape from enslavement in Egypt. In the Book of Exodus, God sends the "Angel of Death" over Egypt, directed to kill every firstborn child and animal. But the captive Israelites were instructed to mark the lintels of their dwellings with lamb's blood, thus marking their homes for preservation. The Angel of Death would then "pass-over" the homes of the Jewish believers, thus sparing them.
Like many Jewish festivals, it begins at Sundown on the previous evening—today, 5 April. This year, Passover concludes on the evening of Thursday 13 April.
Need a nice bowl for Spring paper whites? Or a caddy for keys and wallets near the door? Or, perhaps, a stylish water bowl for your dog? This bowl, made in the Thirties by Red Wing (in Red Wing, Minnesota), has plenty of style to match its functionality. The interior is fully glazed—in a fresh, Spring green—which makes it water-tight. The exterior, which is decorated with a bas relief ring of daisies, is first brushed with a matte green stain which is then partially wiped-off, thus accenting the high-low effect of the texturing. Subsequent firing fixes the exterior stain and the interior glaze. This brushing method inspired the pottery line's name, "Brushware."
Ready to shut-off the computer? Already watched everything good on Netflix? Perhaps this "Puzzle-Peg" game board, from the 1920's, will scratch that old-time "quiet-evening-at-home" itch? Like "Chinese Checkers," pegs are eliminated by jumping over them with other pegs. The goal: to remove all pegs except for one peg—left in the center hole of the board. One can play alone or with a friend and the instruction booklet offers many other possible challenges. The set includes all the pegs, instruction manual and original box. The original booklet (included) informs us that "Puzzle-Peg is a boon to old people, shut-ins and invalids" and "it can be played while sitting in a chair or lying in bed. It completely takes their mind from...
Palm Sunday—one week before Easter Sunday—marks the start of the Christian "Holy Week" which culminates with Easter, the most important day of the Christian calendar. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem to great celebration, welcome and fanfare. Many of the revelers waved palm branches, laying them on the ground before Jesus. Within days, He would be condemned by the authorities, tortured and crucified. This rollercoaster of adoration and renunciation provides the dramatic prelude to Jesus's death—a tragic but necessary passage which had to happen before the Resurrection. Why palms? Palms have a long history of importance and symbolism in many cultures. In the arid climes surrounding the Mediterranean, palms provided life-sustaining food, shade and building materials. In Ancient Egypt, the...
It's the First of April. What better time to remember the long-forgotten inspiration behind so much French Art Nouveau: Aprile Foulin.
Aprile Foulin was born in 1870 to a Parisian father (a traveling businessman) and an Italian mother (a seamstress). As her parents were not married (to each other), Aprile faced a difficult life of living in the shadows. Her dark, Sicilian complexion further ostracized her from easing into French society.
But Aprile Foulin was a brilliant and creative artiste—and she found her own way of making a mark on some of the most important icons of the French Art Nouveau movement.
Though modern dentistry has come far in the last 50 years, basic dental hygiene—brushing one's teeth two or three times a day—has been standard practice for decades. In a middle class English home of the 1880's, a toothbrush holder, such as the one above, might have sat on the edge of the heavy porcelain sink. It was made in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire—that center of British ceramics production since the 1700's. The handsome Aesthetic Movement decoration is applied with "transferware," a process by which a pattern printed on paper is applied to the ceramic item before firing. This allowed complex or delicate patterns to be quickly (and inexpensively) reproduced on ceramics en masse. The material is called "Ironstone," a common...
During Lent, Christians are encouraged to pray, fast and give alms—that is, provide money (or other necessities) to those in need. These disciplines prepare the heart, mind and soul for the the joyous season to come: Easter. Sure, almsgiving is (and always has been) important. And not only amongst Christians. But who knew it could be done with such style? This handsome Arts & Crafts alms plate, made around the year 1900, is fashioned from hand-carved oak. The exhortation, "Give Alms of Thy Goods" surrounds the plate and a soft velvet pad is affixed to the bottom of the bowl (to muffle the vulgar rattle of coins). It's a beautiful plate—and one which has done much good, collecting unknown amounts...
These handsome Art Deco gazelles are ready to leap! But, for now, they will have to still their hearts; Leap Year is still eleven months away—29 February 2024. We think of a calendar year on Earth—the time it takes our planet to circle once around the Sun—as being 365 days long. And this is close (but not exact). The Earth's transit time around the Sun is actually just a little bit longer than that: 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 56 seconds. A true year on Earth is 365.212490 days. In 45 BC, the Emperor Julius Caesar's astronomer, called Sosigenes, advised his boss to mandate a leap year every four years. This helped to keep the calendar synchronized with the...
It never gets old... There was a time—from the second half of the Nineteenth Century through the first half of the Twentieth Century—when Art and Industry collaborated to produce wonderful mass-produced objets. Ambitious and beautiful handworks (simultaneously!) enjoyed the very best of artistic design and also the very best of early industrial production methods. The works of talented Old World sculptors were mass-produced on modern factory lines—built-to-last, produced (reasonably) affordably, and intended to remain beautiful forever. "The Dakota" apartment building, built along Central Park West in the early 1880's, is surrounded by a "dry moat" (intended to help secure the building and allow natural light into the basement). A heavy cast iron railing surrounds this moat, supported by several dozen...
It never gets old...
Central Park is a glorious expanse of manicured wilderness—wedged into a crowded, teeming, urban aggregation. The park provides an immediate escape into nature—and provides limitless vistas of "impossibly perfect" natural beauty.
I walked across the park this afternoon to visit my dear friend, Anne (clutching our Chinese takeaway lunch in-hand). No matter how often I make this trek, I never hesitate to stop to shoot a particularly compelling landscape, like the one above. The green grass, the blue sky and the trees (with or without leaves) never fails to lower my blood pressure and restore my contented mood.
It never gets old...
Heading to New York City—my once and forever hometown—and, suddenly, The Reveal. There it is! Like the Land of Oz, just beyond the poppy field! Gleaming. Beckoning. Calling my name!
My husband and I are spending three nights in the City. Today's his birthday and we've planned a nice dinner with a friend. First thing Monday morning, we see our accountant (and will drop-off those long-due tax documents!). After that, Bob will visit several costume shops. I have meetings with a few customers after which I'll take a Chinese lunch to a dear, aging friend. Lots of walking. Lots of surprise at the storefronts which have disappeared, replaced by a fresh batch of aspirants.
Nine months from today: Christmas will be here! Upon this announcement, some of you may attempt to reach through the Internet Machine and throttle me. While others may see the wisdom of starting their Holiday shopping now—buying just the right gifts (as they are discovered) and storing them in that special hiding place for that special gifty stash. Then the organized shopper may relax, knowing the Holidays will be a breeze. Above, a set of four Double Old Fashioned Rocks glasses with "Season's Greetings" wrapped-around the glass in a "stained glass effect" graphic. A 22 karat gold rim punctuates the edge of the glass. These glasses are perfect for egg nog—or something harder—and they will add a festive spark to your Holiday...
Spring is here. With luck, the Spring weather will follow shortly. Until then, a cheery reminder of the seasons to come: Spring, Summer and Autumn. This Dutch vase, from Gouda, Holland, was made in the Twenties. Hand-painted decoration includes flowers, leaves and graphic embellishments—all in rich shades of marigold, rust, greens and blues.
The Arts & Crafts movement in Germany was called Jugenstil, literally "the youth style." Like with Arts & Crafts movements elsewhere, this aesthetic school marked a break from the prevailing Nineteenth Century aesthetic—thus it was new and fresh (that is, youthful). The Jugendstil Movement promoted a revival of handcraft, simplicity of design, and the use of natural, honest materials. The movement was influenced by the Arts & Crafts movements of other countries and, in turn, it influenced other Modernist movements, especially in Northern Europe.
One "subset" of German Jugendstil (and Viennese Secessionism) exhibited a crisp, understated angularity, often in metalwork. These steel chambersticks, made in Württemberg, Germany, are a blend of primitive simplicity and industrial modernism.
Here's something different—something I couldn't pass-up. I found two spools of vintage woven gingham trim, over 150 feet long, made in the Twenties or Thirties. One spool is a blue check: navy, white and grey. The second spool is red: red, white and grey. I don't trade in textiles or trim very often and I'm not sure how someone may wish to use these. At the very least, they would make wonderful ribbons and bows on a gift. Or they could be used as they were intended: as trim on a garment, pillow or upholstery.
The Twenties and Thirties are considered "America's Golden Age of Bookends." It was during this period that American bookend production really took-off. Why this period? Most importantly, it was because it was during the early Twentieth Century that America's middle class really began to grow. Middle class families, with new-found disposable income, could afford to buy certain discretionary "luxuries" such as books. In the Nineteenth Century (and before), books and libraries were typically only within reach of well-heeled aristocrats. The vast majority of Americans, still confined to the working classes, might only possess a handful of books: a Bible, a cookbook, perhaps some poetry. But not enough books to fill shelves. Simply put, with few books in the average home, mass-produced bookends were...
Here's another Middle Eastern Mid-Century marquetry jewel box. Various, differently colored woods are arranged—with Mother-of-Pearl—to create a handsome place to keep your jewelry, watches, keys, or other small treasures. It would also be a nice place to inter the ashes of a beloved pet.
Artists have been crafting beautiful inlays for millennia. Mosaics, enameling and inlaid woodworks can be found amongst the artwork discovered from the earliest of times. Marquetry is not technically an "inlay." It is an arrangement of thin wood pieces (or shell, bone, stone, metal, straw or other materials) which is precisely cut-and-fit together in a thin sheet and applied as a veneer to a flat wooden surface—for example a piece of furniture, a floor, a wall, or a small flat object. Marquetry was used in Ancient Egypt, Persia, Rome, Renaissance Italy, and throughout Asia for centuries. The Middle Eastern box above, made in Mid-Twentieth Century, utilizes various wooden veneers and chips of Mother-of-Pearl to create a warm and handsome geometric...
Having had a small (and tight) Greenwich Village storefront for 23 years, I've developed a certain prejudice against buying chairs. Especially sets of chairs. In my experience, sets of chairs do not sell quickly. Sure, everyone needs them. But, until they finally sell, they take-up lots of precious floor space, require frequent moving (in order to reach other things) and are only moderately useful for displaying other merchandise before they sell (compared to, say, a table). In short, they always seem to be in the way! All this said, I have always enjoyed buying children's chairs. Their small size makes them useful (atop or under a table) for displaying merchandise—like a giant, nice-looking riser platform. Sometimes they can be hung on a...
It's a great day for the Irish! Make the day even better with this pair of handsome—and festive—Art Deco enameled cufflinks. Kelly green and white enamel lies over etched guilloché work, providing a crisp and tasteful pop of graphic boldness. And the "soft" triangular form of the cufflinks' faces give them an extraordinary, modern look.
Oh, for those former days of simple quality! This "Union" brand folding traveling hanger, from the Forties, melds function, quality and style—in one clean stroke. Two chromed-steel wire "wings" rise and drop from a nicely carved beechwood body. Early Modernism at its best. Light, durable and practical (not to mention super-cool), this hanger would fit easily in your carry-on or make a statement hanging on the hook of your office door. Initially, I thought this hanger might have begun its life on the railways, but I have not (yet) found any such connection. I wish I had a gross of these!
Let's end our parade of "golden spring" cufflinks with this pair of Turn-of-the-Century Austrian Secessionist 14 karat gold beauties. Crisply-engraved "lozenges" are finished with background stippling and tooled edging.
These Edwardian English cufflinks reach-back to a more Victorian look. A curling serpentine separates two halves of the engraved oval cufflinks: flowers on one side, scrolling botanicals on the other side.
"Soft triangles" are always a fresh (and uncommon) look in cufflinks. Made around 1910, one side has a shield-form botanical design and the other side remains blank—suitable for monograming.
These Edwardian English cufflinks—etched gold-on-silver—have a decidedly Modernist look. With half of the faces engraved with stylized botanicals, a bold graphic effect is achieved.
Though Winter will be with us for another 18 days, blessed hours of occasional warmth have been delighting us from time to time. These "golden days" of early spring—and the first blooming daffodils—signal the most wonderfully promising of days. For the next few days, we'll be sharing a collection of cufflinks which celebrate the early spring: golden links, decorated with floral and botanical engraving. Shown here, a pair of Edwardian English cufflinks, circa 1910. Two differently-shaped faces, one an oval and one a clipped rectangle, provide two ways of wearing the links. And one may find that the oval face is much easier to slip through a quartet of French cuff buttonholes. Tightly-packed clusters of engraved flowers provide a graphic bed which dissolves into...
March is here—and he brings with him the month's birth flower, the Daffodil. March is derived from the name "Martius," the first month of the Ancient Roman calendar. Martius was named after Mars, the hot-blooded God of War. Daffodils are a member of the large Narcissus family which also includes paperwhites, jonquils and a very wide range of narcissi. While there are numerous natural varieties, they have been vigorously cross-bred by humans, resulting in countless hybrid cultivars. Daffodils grow from bulbs, from which the flowers emerge—a trumpet-like "corona" surrounded by six petals—usually in the Spring. They are believed to have originated some 25 - 30 million years ago in Southwestern Europe: Spain, Portugal, Southern France, Italy and along the Mediterranean...
The design of these highball tumblers hits the Fifties aesthetic bullseye dead-on. Tall glasses were fashionable for 50's cocktails. Swaying spays of fruitful wheat (in 22 karat gold) wave from the front of the glass. And the top rims are also laid with 22 karat gold—providing a glint of glamour and a good measure of protection for the delicate glass. Best, yet, the set come with 10 (+1) glasses, enough for a dinner party with a generous guest list. Vintage, gold-embellished glasses can last a good long time—as long as one doesn't damage the metal in washing. No dishwashers, please; the extreme heat will fade and (eventually) degrade the metallic overlay. A simple wash, with a soft sponge in...
Spring is coming—and summer "beach weather" will not be far behind. We will not be able to hide beneath those chunky-knit sweaters for much longer. Time to hit the gym! A century ago—when these turned maple dumbbells were crafted—"strength training" was the domain of a very few, hardy souls: bodybuilders, screen actors, circus performers. 25 pound dumbbells were not to be found in everyday homes (or even exercise rooms). What the Edwardians did have, however, were light dumbbells like these—used to augment calisthenics or stretching regimens. A bit of extra weight (a couple of pounds) can make a difference in a prolonged jumping-jacks routine or regimen of "windmills" for the arms. Even if one doesn't intend to use these dumbbells...
Pull-out all the stops at your favorite fairy's birthday party this year. A box of 35 candles, striped in pink and white, come in their original Fifties box—from which a winged fairy endows her blessings upon the occasion. You may be tempted to use them one-at-a-time; they're too cool to immolate in a blaze of fire.
Can one have too many nice boxes—of varying sizes and shapes—positioned around the house, each ready to hide, hold or organize other possessions? A stack of varied and handsome antique boxes never fails to make an impression. This Nineteenth Century mahogany box (c. 1860-1880's) is punctuated with crisp bands of inlaid wooden marquetry. It's lined with green velvet, making it a lovely place to keep one's cufflinks, pearls, or desk-top necessities. And it would be a terrific (and protective) presentation box for a special wristwatch. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to...
A stroll through downtown Denver affirms the city's Turn-of-the-Century growth spurt. Denver has done a beautiful job of preserving (and restoring and repurposing) its early Twentieth Century architecture (something I have long wished for Pittsburgh and New York City). Besides the many apparent (and handsome) early building façades, one notices that the proportions of the city remain human-scaled. Like Greenwich Village in New York, most of the older buildings stand about six storeys tall. Though newer, modern buildings are interspersed amongst the older buildings, significant portions of Denver still enjoy the lighter, low-density atmosphere of a century ago.
I have flown into and out of the Denver airport dozens of times in my life, usually enroute to Hawaii or Santa Fe, New Mexico. But I have never left the airport, nor visited the capital city of Colorado. With this in mind, I have been looking-forward to my short visit to Denver, principally to hear the Erich Korngold opera Die tote Stadt which my husband designed for Opera Colorado. The easy light rail ("A Line") train ride from the airport deposited me before the station's handsome 1914 Beaux Arts façade. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Franklin Delano Roosevelt had all arrived in Denver at the same spot. And the station was once serviced by a spur of...
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the period of prayer, fasting and abstinence during which Christians prepare themselves for Easter, the greatest holiday in the Christian calendar. Lent is forty days long—not counting Sundays—and corresponds to the forty days Jesus spent facing-down temptation in the desert. Many Christian denominations, most prominently Catholics, hold special services on Ash Wednesday during which a cross of ash is imposed on the penitent's forehead while the priest or lay minister reminds him or her, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." This black smudge is not only a humbling reminder of one's mortality, it is a reminder that one has been created, by God, from the Earth—and that one's body will one...
Not so long ago, metal spring-roll-up tape measures (which are common today) had not, yet, been invented. Printed cloth tapes might be used for measuring long distances, though two people were required to unroll and pull-taut the soft tape measure. The tape could then be retracted—like winding a fishing spool—into its leather or metal case. For smaller jobs, a boxwood folding pocket ruler, like the one shown above, was de rigeuer. This one, made by Stanley in New Britain, Connecticut, was the go-to tool for many a carpenter, cabinetmaker, or contractor. Stanley made variations on this tool; different styles varied as to their measurement graduations, whether the numbers read right-to-left (or vice versa), and some had add-on features (like bevelled...
President's Day—which we celebrate today—naturally provokes a tendency to create lists, subjective rankings of the best and worst chief executives of all time. I'm not immune to this tradition. Typically, I restrict my analysis to those presidents in-position during my lifetime (Kennedy to Biden)—unless I am considering Lincoln, usually my all-time favorite. Now, back to my lifetime. I have no doubt which man was the worst president in my lifetime (hugely); both the worst executive and the worst person. I am likewise certain who my favorite president is (born 718 days and 1.7 miles from my birthplace). There is another president who holds a sacred spot in my heart—and I'm praying for him at this moment. While in-office, President Jimmy Carter was dealt an extremely difficult hand. Economics, geopolitics,...
The sun enters the final region of the annual Zodiac today. Pisces, the fish, runs from 19 February to 20 March.
Pisces are know for their kindness and hospitality, always working to ensure the happiness of those around them. Pisces are creative, imaginative, intuitive, gracious and open-minded. They are sensitive to the feelings of others and are amongst the most sympathetic of people. But Pisces can, at times, "live with their heads in the clouds." They can be escapist, unrealistic, dependent on others and sometimes submissive to a fault.
Valentinus—today known as "Saint Valentine"— was a Roman priest (and possibly a bishop) in Third Century Rome. He ministered to the persecuted Christian locals which angered the authorities and, eventually, led to his arrest. Valentinus was brought before the emperor, Claudius Gothicas, who came to like the priest. But, when Valentinus pushed too hard to convert the emperor, the monarch provided his own ultimatum: the priest must renounce his Christian faith or he would be clubbed and beheaded. The priest refused to renounce his faith and was martyred on 14 February 269. Before he was killed, however, Valentinus is said to have restored the sight and hearing to his jailer's daughter.
This week we have been sharing pieces from our collection of George Clews "Blue Chameleonware" Art Deco ceramics made in England in the Twenties and Thirties. Let's end our "parade of pottery" with this perfect pot—a handsome piece, just the right size, with broad shoulders, a little spout of a mouth, and an attractive, hand-painted "Indian Flame" design around its shapely body. Because of the color palette chosen by the decorator, this piece really leans-in to its Persian Iznik aesthetic roots. The color combination has a certain "freshness" to it—cool and clean, crisp and precise. And since the sidewalls "return" to the center (and the mouth), this piece looks wonderful whether viewed from the side, from the top down, or from...
This two-handled, trophy-form "loving cup" vase makes the perfect home for your tiny handful of flowers—perhaps three, five or seven stems. And the piece is an excellent addition to a collection of blue vases and bowls—for it gives unique variety of shape and size to a group of more traditional vases. The cornflower blue undercoat is mottled with an organic, dripping mossy green top glaze. The spontaneous, random glaze "softens" the otherwise crisply serious, ancient form. Made in the Twenties or Thirties by George Clews "Chameleonware" in Art Deco England.
The classic, timeless form of this English Art Deco vase makes it a favorite of mine. "Pleasantly plump," this vase has a slightly distended look—as though the potter had blown a small gust of air into the vessel but not too much). And the hand-painted, "Indian Flame" pattern—in blues and browns—are laid perfectly upon the vase's body to complement its shape and show the graphic pattern to its greatest advantage.
Made by the George Clews Pottery in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, England, it has graced some British home for nearly 100 years—that is, until it came back to the States with me.
Just before World War One, George Clews created their new, decorative Chameleonware line—whose roll-out had to be delayed due to the onset of the fighting. After the war, production resumed and proved enormously successful through the Twenties and Thirties. In fact, at times, Chameleionware represented 80% of George Clews's total sales. In the 1930's, the company added a line of sculpted ceramic animals including a frog and a chameleon (which is extra popular amongst collectors today). It was a war which delayed the Chameleonware line at the start. Alas, it was another war which killed Chameleonware altogether. When World War Two began in 1939, the production of discretionary items (like flamboyantly hand-painted vases) was restricted. George Clews was allowed to continue...
In 1926—America's 150th birthday—Philadelphia held a Sesquicentennial Exposition, a World's Fair championed by Pennsylvania merchant-retailer John Wannamaker. Among the various historical, sporting, religious and artistic exhibitions, foreign nations, U.S. states, government offices and private companies were invited to sponsor a display, perhaps a pavilion, exhibiting their work, products, art, food and other cultural objets. The English were represented by (amongst other companies) the George Clews Pottery Works—who took-home a gold medal for "Originality of Design."
Vases such as the onion-form bud vase, shown above, were included in the award-winning Clews exhibition. The flamboyant, hand-painted designs created a sensation and helped broaden the Chameleonware product beyond the British Isles.
This week we are sharing pieces from our collection of George Clews "Blue Chameleonware" Art Deco ceramics made in England in the Twenties and Thirties. Not all of George Clews's production boasted ambitious, exotic and highly-decorated graphic design. A more understated, Modernist look was produced, too. In an attempt to emulate the expensive, hand-thrown studio pottery of the day (like Ruskin), David Capper developed simpler, organic glazes which looked random and spontaneous. The piece above, made in the Twenties or Thirties, has a triangular, "pinched-top" opening, like a handmade art piece might have. It is finished with dripping, organic glazes in cornflower blue and mossy green. This interesting glaze provides a unique, "studio pottery" look on a slip-cast form at...
From the time that Europeans and Asians first began crossing-paths—traveling the world and trading this for that—all parties along the trade routes had things that others wanted to buy and saw things that they wanted for themselves. To the Far East, Westerners supplied manufactured goods, steel objects, woolens, furs, cattle, honey, lots of gold & silver (not to mention slaves, opium and disease). In return, Europeans purchased silken textiles, tea, certain spices and lots (and lots) of porcelain and ceramics. Not only did the "Oriental Style" ceramics intrigue the Europeans, but the technical proficiency of their pottery-making was a compelling mystery to the Westerners (especially considering the rather primitive kilns and technology that was available in the East at the...
Although George Clews's "Chameleonware" line was designed in 1914, its production was placed on-hold due to the outbreak of World War One. Artistic genius, David Capper, served and was injured in the war. Eventually, he returned to Clews and picked-up where he had left off: continuing to develop and market Chameleonware in the Twenties. The line—which was produced in dozens of differing painted patterns and colorations—included mottled "solid" art glazes (to emulate Ruskin) or ambitious hand-painted decorations which closely observed popular decorative trends. Very often, these trends were inspired by contemporary, international archeological discoveries—in Persia, Egypt or Asia—which intrigued the public (and, especially, people who might never have the means or opportunity to travel to these far-flung, exotic lands). Authentic "Oriental"...
We've spoken about David Capper before, the artistic force behind George Clews's unique glazes and painted patterns. His attempt to broaden the company's offerings—developing more decorative art pottery—started in 1913 with his production of Clews's "Jet" line: redware ceramics finished with a cobalt glaze which turns jet black under firing. The first "Chameleonware" pottery, like the jug shown above, was designed in 1914. It has been speculated that the name is a reference to the way glazes change color in the kiln—like a chameleon changes color based on its environment.
Clews's new products, promising as they were, were cut-short with the outbreak of World War One (1914-1918).
David Capper was the George Clews works manager who also developed the company's unique glazes and hand-painted surface decorations. Capper, and the other executives at Clews, recognized a growing English middle class which had a taste and a desire (and a modest budget) for handsome but affordable art pottery. This "aspiring" social class might not be able to afford the pricier works of a Ruskin Pottery (hand-thrown in small batches as they were), but they could afford slip cast (moulded) pieces which were then embellished with intriguing patterns a la mode. This provided a happy medium in the workshop: well-priced mass produced forms which were carefully (and artfully) embellished by hand (often painted by women, a respectable and desirable job...
This week we are sharing pieces from our collection of George Clews "Blue Chameleonware" Art Deco ceramics made in England in the Twenties and Thirties.
The first George Clews products in 1906 were utilitarian in nature—mostly teapots. One of their groundbreaking (and profitable) designs was an Art Deco cube-form teapot in which the handle was recessed into the cubic shape of the pot and the spout was formed out of the opposite corner. This cubic shape allowed the teapots to be packed snugly together, a practicality in the hotel, restaurant, or (especially) the cruise line trade. Clews supplied these square teapots and tea services to the Cunard Line for use on their passenger ships—practicality and efficiency meet streamlined Art Deco modernity.
Recently, two long-time customers visited, interested in adding another piece of English Art Deco "Chameleonware" to their collection of other pieces, purchased from me in the past. While they perused the collection, I decided it was time to shoot the nicest pieces and make them available in the LEO Design on-line shop. Over the next several days, I will be sharing a few of these most interesting pieces. The George Clews company was founded in 1906 in Staffordshire, England—"Ground Zero" of the British ceramics industry in the English Midlands. The region, sometimes called "The Potteries" is more formally known as "Stoke-on-Trent"—a confederation of six pottery-manufacturing towns including Burslem and Tunstall (both of which the George Clews Company inhabited at different times)....
February is here—and she brings with her the Amethyst, February's birthstone.
Until the Nineteenth Century, amethysts were rare and very expensive. They were considered one of the five "Cardinal Gemstones"—alongside diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Initially, deep purple amethysts—the color of royalty—had only been discovered in Russia and Austria. Medieval monarchs loved amethysts. To this day, Anglican and some Roman Catholic bishops wear an amethyst in their episcopal rings.
According to Ancient Greek mythology, Dionysus—the god of wine—was in-pursuit of a beautiful virgin, Amethystos. Her prayers to remain chaste were answered: before he could catch her, she turned into a beautiful white stone. In his grief, Dionysus poured wine over the stone, turning it violet—the first amethyst.
Polishing brass is much less fraught than polishing copper—for brass darkens much more quickly than copper. Any "ambitious over-polishing" will be remediated within a year or two. On a newly-acquired piece of antique brass, I will give it a thorough polishing if the piece is badly marked or unevenly patinated. Then, every couple of years, I will give the brass a very light re-polishing—just to give it a clean look, a little lift. I always avoid highly-polishing brass as it ends up looking too new. Like with copper, brass looks good when the repoussé work is polished with a "high-low" effect (to make the dimensional decoration "pop"). Furthermore, all residual polish must be removed from the crevices before it dries. Freshly polished brass...
A customer recently asked me for advice on polishing-up her antique metal trays. This got me to thinking—clarifying my thoughts of when and why I would (or wouldn't) polish something. When it comes to copper, the English tend to polish everything. And, in most cases, the copper probably was fully-polished on the day it left the craftman's workshop. American collectors, on the other hand, have an aversion to polishing copper—regardless of whether the metal was originally polished or chemically-patinated. As for me, I judge each situation based on the merits of the case. Ideally, a piece would always have a dark, even, nut-brown patina. Alas, this is rarely the case. When I acquire a piece of copper in England (as...
The swirling ribs on this Edwardian English glass jam pot add a sparkling vibrance to the colored jam, showing through. It comes from a time when every conceivable foodstuff employed its own specialized accoutrement. I suppose some families, some times, just pulled-out the store-bought jam crock—or served their homemade jams in their utilitarian canning jars. But when company arrived—say, at teatime—a proper (and beautiful) jar like the one above was suitable and tasteful. And, of course, a middle class household with servants didn't worry about the extra daily effort required to clean and fill jam jars.
For all the Sturm und Drang of Henry VIII's reign (six wives, two of whom he beheaded), at least he could die in the knowledge that a son survived him—at least for a while (six and a half years). His nine year old son (born of Jane Seymour, who died twelve days after giving birth to the boy) became King Edward VI (reigning 1547-1553). Being so young, Edward's entire reign was "guided" by a Regency Council. Nevertheless, the Boy King had strong opinions, principally that England should drive a stake through the heart of the Catholic Church. He abolished clerical celibacy, banned Latin services, and even tried to leave his crown to his reliably-Protestant cousin (once removed) Lady Jane Grey (rather than either of his...
On this day in 1302, the poet Dante Alighieri—Italy's greatest and one of the World's most important writers ever—was condemned to banishment from his beloved Florence. Dante found himself on the losing side of a fierce Florentine political battle. When his side, "The White Guelphs," lost the struggle, Dante was banished from his home city on pain of death. He moved to Ravenna, about 75 miles away, where he lived-out the rest of his days. And, by the way, it was in Ravenna that he wrote his most important works—works that changed the face of Western literature and influenced our perception of Heaven and Hell. Dante was buried in the the cemetery of the Church of San Pier Maggiore.
Jackrabbits are a variety of hare which lives in the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The fact that they are hares—not rabbits—is an important distinction.
Rabbits are more socially gregarious than hares, and their naked babies are born in underground burrows, called "warrens." Rabbits have been successfully domesticated, both in farming and as pets. Hares, on the other hand, tend to live more independently (sometimes in pairs). Babies, called "leverets," are born fully-furred, in above-ground nests, and they are mobile (and can defend themselves) almost immediately after birth. Their mother does not stick-around much beyond initial nursing. And hares have not been known to be well-adapted to intimate life with humans.
This "Rabbit of the Year" is scampering to center stage, ready to fulfill his starring role: "I'm late! I'm late!" This stoneware bas relief plaque, made in California, is finished with an aqueous aqua-green glaze. Fitted with a hang wire, the tile is ready to hang in just-the-right spot. He'll be a reminder to all—and especially to those born under the Rabbit—to scurry now, relax later. Good advice, indeed. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome sculpted decoration. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center...
The Lunar New Year festivities last for two weeks (and, of course, The Year of the Rabbit lasts all year). So let's share a few more rabbits over the next few days. This adorable bunny—a silver-plated wind-up music box—is haunched in concentration, licking his paws or planning what to do next. He plays "Rock-a-Bye, Baby." While the music box is meant as a gift for an infant, it's been even more popular as an interesting desk item for grownups (perhaps, especially, those born under The Year of the Rabbit). Click on the photo above to learn more about him. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our...
The New Moon "emerged" on Saturday at 3:55 pm (Eastern Time)--ushering-in the Lunar New Year and The Year of the Rabbit. A "New Moon" is the opposite of a Full Moon—that is, the time when no illuminated disk is visible (to the naked eye) from Earth. In fact, during a New Moon, the Moon is positioned precisely between the Sun and the Earth. When the Sun and the Earth are on opposite sides of the Moon, we on Earth cannot see the illuminated side of the Moon (which is facing the Sun). It takes 29.5 days for the Moon to circle (orbit) the Earth, during which time the Moon completes its cycle of "phases": from New Moon (invisible) to...
Victoria Regina died on this day in 1901—after a 63 year (and 216 day) reign as Queen of England. Hers remained the longest reign in British history until Queen Elizabeth II, who died last year, surpassed her (at 70 years, 214 days). The death of Victoria ushered in the reign of her oldest son, Edward VII, and the modernizing Edwardian Era.
The world changed so much during the Victorian Era: the Industrial Revolution, the expansion of modern empires (and the accumulation of power and wealth which came with it), advances in science and medicine, and the growth of travel by increasing numbers of people.
I've been taking classes at Carnegie Mellon University through the Osher Lifelong Learning Program. Bernard Osher, a San Francisco businessman, left an endowment to create continuing education departments at various universities across the country. The Osher Program is now represented at 125 American Universities (spanning the country)—and provides quality, affordable continuing education (and intellectual and social engagement) for people over the age of 50. The new semester began a couple of weeks ago and I'm already behind on my reading! I'm taking a class on Shakespeare in which we are reading, studying and discussing Henry V (amongst other plays). While most of the courses I've taken at Osher do not require much (if any) reading, one cannot really study Shakespeare with...
True, we are still weeks away from Spring—precisely two months from today—but tiny signs of that blessed season occasionally emerge before us: a muddy squish, an earthy smell, the tender, emerging daffodil buds (already!). Therefore, eager for the promise of Spring, we present this exceptionally sunny Art Deco vase, made in the Thirties by Stangl of Flemington, New Jersey. The form is inspired by Ancient Greek amphora—the bulbous form, corseted neck and flaring rim, punctuated with drooping acanthus leaf handles. And the deep yellow glaze seems to radiate sunshine. Displayed with or without flowers, this vase is sure to be a happy reminder of lovely days—Spring and Summer especially.
On this day in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union was founded in New York City. For 103 years, the ACLU has lobbied and litigated for the fair and equal application (to all people) of the rights and liberties guaranteed by the American Constitution. The organization takes direct legal action in some cases and it also advises and supports the legal actions of other civil rights advocates. The ACLU weighs-in with amicus briefs, when appropriate, and communicates with lawmakers as to the constitutionality (or not) of their proposed legislation. Some people believe that the ACLU is a liberal organization, however, its history proves otherwise. The ACLU has long advocated for free speech rights, even for right wing organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and and...
This lamp, sunny even when turned-off, is positively luminous once turned-on. The ceramic body, made in the Sixties or Seventies, is decorated with high-texture, dripping organic orange and brown glazes. It has a particularly comforting presence—and is useful for illuminating your home.
The dark days of winter make us crave more light. And, if we cannot find the real kind, we will seek the "homemade" variety. This Aladdin brass oil lamp was made in Chicago in the 1910's. It was such a well-designed lamp, it won the Grand Prize at the 1915 San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exhibition. Today, it provides nice, warm light in little corner or atop a table. The curvaceous milk glass shade softens and spreads the light throughout the room.
Today we honor the legacy of one of America's greatest leaders—indeed, one of the World's greatest leaders—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That Americans—leaders and followers alike—would more closely follow his enduring example of seeking non-violent (but overdue) change. MLK remains the finest illustration of Christian Love seeking Social Justice. May the holiday be one of rest, relaxation and reflection--with, perhaps, a measure of service to others. And, speaking of fine illustration, I am so very impressed by this 2008 portrait of Martin Luther King sketched by Chinese artist Mei He. Born in China, she was trained in Sichuan after which she attended the Savannah College of Art and Design. In a world where hand-sketching often is neglected, even in...
For centuries, church architects and designers have looked back upon older "schools" of design for their inspiration when building new churches. The Gothic and the the Romanesque were two favored movements which continued to animate church design in the Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries—long after those particular design eras had ended. It was believed that by using familiar, time-tested design styles, the Church was reinforcing the notion of its timelessness and permanence. With the growth of Modernism between the wars (Bauhaus, Art Deco, the International School, and Brutalism), the Church (both Roman Catholic and Protestant) began to experiment with the new, Modernist design. Church buildings and interior objets were designed in the new look. This was especially true in audacious Germany—although...
Cypress trees are the tortoises of the plant world; they grow very slowly and some can live 600 years. They seem to get-by despite harsh conditions with meager sustenance. Cypresses comprise a broad family of Conifers—that is, "cone-bearing" evergreens. Their leaves have a rubbery, scaly, needle-like appearance, with a "braided" effect, which makes them suitable for arid climates. Leaves like this tend to conserve water, unlike broad, flat leaves which encourage faster rates of evaporation. And the plants emit a clean, piney fragrance. Cypresses run the gamut from ground-covers to shrubs to tall trees. Mediterranean cypresses are tall, narrow and pointy, often lining a roadway or property line. Monterey cypresses appear windswept, stunted and hunched--found clinging to harsh and rocky cliffs along...
What once might have been (a little?) flamboyant, is now made very handsome with 140 years of age. The stately oak frame is embellished with a "rusticated botanical" gilded trim and finished with a gilded chain-form fillet. When I found the frame, its mirror (or print or painting) was long gone. So I replaced the mirror—springing for a deluxe one inch bevel. Now assembled, it makes for a very attractive package. It is currently hanging vertically, though I would happily change the orientation for you—just ask.
Let's end our parade of lighting with this special brass lamp—one which provides a little extra "oomph." A handsomely tapering brass shaft, with a vertically ribbed base, is lashed with brass lacing and punctuated with brass studding. This "laced and studded" embellishment does not push the design over-the-top. Instead, it provides just the right textural enhancement to an otherwise classic table lamp silhouette. The "laced" finial, atop, adds the final perfect detail to a handsome, timeless lighting fixture.
This lamp, made in New England, is one of a handful offered in my on-line store.
Don't let the slender profile of this lamp, shown above, fool you. It is heavy, solid and stable, indeed. For many years, one of these lamps has stood on the corner of my cash wrap desk—secure against bumping, modest in its footprint, and providing ample light (with handsome style). Note the exceptional, pointed finial—evidence that this lamp was designed and produced with great attention to detail. It would have been very easy for the lamp maker to throw a nice, generic finial atop the fixture. Instead, the lamp maker designed a custom finial for this lamp alone—which adds the crowning touch to this exceptional light fixture. This lamp, made in New England, is one of a handful offered in my...
Sometimes one needs nice light in a narrow space—say, atop a mantelpiece, on a small bedside table, or upon a sideboard or credenza. A candelabra lamp, like the one shown above, provides plenty of style despite its modest dimensions. It would even work well in the center of a library table or partners' desk. The base has a spare 5" x 9" footprint and the shade is just a few inches bigger.
This lamp, made in New England, is one of a handful offered in my on-line store.
Though the days gradually are getting longer, this time of year is still a season of darkness. People want more light! The holidays—Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years—all do their best to brighten-up this darkest time of the year, often by adding cheerful light. It's also a time of year when merchants see an uptick in their sales of lamps and other lighting. The heavy, columnar brass lamp, shown above, will certainly contribute a healthy measure of "clubby gravitas" to any home, office or business. In fact, one theatrically-gifted Anglophile fashion designer's decorator bought a dozen of them from me for the company's (then new) supper club in London. They were placed atop banquet seat dividers and looked wonderful (they sent me...
I have never been overly charmed by folk art. Folk craft, yes, sometimes. But I always have preferred a little more academic rigor in the paintings and drawings I have collected. So, when I purchased this picture some twenty years ago, I bought it solely for the gilded Nineteenth Century frame—not for the painting. I intended to use it to reframe a (preferred) painting or print some day. I stored-away the frame (and its picture) amongst my collection of frames-in-waiting. For the past few years, I have been one of forty dealers at the Antique Center of Strabane, in Canonsburg, about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. Being more-removed from urban life (and closer to West Virginia), the clientele seems to prefer a...
In 1866, brothers George and Oliver Colie opened a business in Buffalo, New York which would eventually become the Kittinger Furniture Company. From the start, they insisted upon the finest design, materials and workmanship. Their attention to detail—and their talent at reproducing older, period styles—brought them to the attention of important historical organizations. Today, Kittinger furnishes "bench-made" (that is, high-end) period reproductions to the White House, the US Senate & Congress, the Supreme Court and to historical groups like Colonial Williamsburg. They have also reproduced older styles for sale in their showrooms.
The word "epiphany" derives from the Greek "epipháneia"—a manifestation or an appearance. Today, common contemporary usage tends to think of an epiphany as "a realization; a sudden clarity of thought," and this is not incorrect. But the original meaning includes a physical, visual connotation which is an important element to not forget. An epiphany, in the original sense, is seeing something which leads one to believe something. The Christian holy day of Epiphany is celebrated today, 6 January. In the Western Church, the Epiphany is associated with the story of the Magi who visit the newborn Jesus. The "Wise Men,"—all Gentiles—see the baby and they experience an epiphany: God is now present on Earth, here in the form of the human...
The term "Moorish" is neither precise nor very specific. Through history, it has been used (often by Westerners) to refer to the people, the culture and the art of North Africa and the Middle East—combining-as-one the broad spectrum of varied Muslim and Arab civilizations. As Muslims conquered and expanded into new territories, they brought with them their art and architecture, adapting it to suit (and blend with) the existing architecture of the subjugated lands. Even outside of the Islamic world, Moorish aesthetic culture has influenced greatly the design of Western aesthetics (for many centuries). In the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, European architects used Moorish design elements to add theatrical flair to their buildings—seeking a new, dramatic flavor which was not as commonly-used as the Gothic...
My little Benji—one of the top loves of my life—turns ten today! After years of "guarding" the LEO Design cashwap counter at 543 Hudson Street, he has adapted well to worklife behind a couple of antique shop counters in the Pittsburgh region. After a bit of initial exploration and expectation, he usually crawls into his travel crate where he can nap the afternoon away (as he did in Greenwich Village). When I'm working at home, he curls-up under my worktable, occasionally inserting himself into one of my merchandise photo shoots—and always remaining ready to announce furiously the rattle of the postal slot.
I have a real soft spot for the British Edwardian Era. It is remembered as a time of modernism, optimism, liberated fashion, and a leap forward in the arts—the fine arts, the decorative arts and the performing arts. Both the Arts & Crafts and the Art Nouveau Movements flourished during this period. It was a time of rapid invention: Marconi transmitted "wireless" communication across the Atlantic; recording technology was changing at-home entertainment, electricity was becoming more common in (upperclass) homes, and the Wright Brothers were taking to the air. And one of the largest, most advanced passenger ships in history, the Titanic, was being built for her notorious maiden voyage.
Christmas is behind us and we are squarely into the New Year. Time to clean-up, re-organize, get sorted! Perhaps the hearth needs a little attention—so active was it during a season of Holiday entertaining. This Victorian English fireplace brush is a handy and stylish way to make quick work of the mess. A soft horsehair brush is concealed within an embossed, heavy brass sleeve. Retract the brass cover and reveal the brush within. It will stand upright in a protected spot (as long as one does not bump it). And the decorative brass work will provide handsome punctuation to your fireplace 365 days a year.
The changing of the year always encourages a fresh start. Quitting bad habits. Turning new leaves. I always like the stripped-down freshness of January. Once the Christmas decorations (as much as I like them) are gone, the spare, angular shape of rooms returns. Space is broadened. Everything looks cleaner.
A collection of matte white pottery has a spare, clean look, quite suited to the January chill. The Art Deco vase, shown above, was made by Stangl in New Jersey.
Happy New Year!
Normally—for the last few years, at least—I've been all-too-eager to turn-the-page on the passing year. I've desperately repeated the mantra, "Next year has GOT to get better..." Now, on the cusp of 2023, I discover that I'm not hating 2022. At least not as much as I've hated 2021. And 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016. Admittedly, in 2022, the world has endured numerous difficulties. Most dangerously, Authoritarianism is on the rise—worldwide—and too many people seem to be tolerating it. The Ukrainian Invasion has greatly disturbed fuel and grain markets, causing international shortages and inflation. And our capitalist system has not (yet) been able to mend its pandemic breakdowns, specifically, its failed duty to maintain sufficient employment and manufacturing to ensure supply chain delivery (a...
For centuries, Florentine bookbinders would hand-craft luxurious, beautifully decorated papers to use as "endpapers"—inside the front and back covers of their books. Dollops of oil paints (some gold) were floated in a pan of water and swirled to create fantastical designs. The paper would then be laid upon the water's surface, transferring the colorful designs onto the paper. Once dried, it could be cut down and bound into the books. Sometimes the bookbinders would use the same technique to decorate the three exposed edges of the book's pages.
In Europe, where even a basic table wine can be oh-so-good, one is reminded that wine is not a special, rarified indulgence. At least, it doesn't have to be. Opening a modest bottle at dinner (or, maybe, lunch) can be a normal part of everyday living. No pretentious stems required. No analysis of the legs. No pontificating on the "varietal." Just pour it into a simple tumbler—like one does with water or juice—and enjoy the fruit of the earth without the ostentation.
These six wine tumblers—though far from plain—keep the refreshment down-to-earth.
Sometimes bold simplicity can make the strongest statement. This set of eight double old fashioned rocks glasses are simply decorated: frosted panels punctuated with tasteful 22 karat gold linework. And, being a set of eight, they will make a nice impact sitting on your bar cart—or on a tray as drinks are served.
This "Golden Period," between Christmas and New Year's Day, can be a time of rest, rejuvenation and merriment. Family might be in-town. Friends have time off. It's a great time to see a couple of new films. It is also a great time to entertain. The pre-Christmas rush is finished and many have a little extra time to prepare light celebrations and gatherings with friends and family. This week, we'll be sharing some of our handsome glassware which is decorated with gold. The warm glints of the precious metal adds a festive and luxurious dimension to an otherwise ordinary beverage. Shown here, a set of six single old fashioned rocks glasses, made in the 1960's. Unlike the larger double old...
Back in the old days—when Middle Class families had live-in help—the servants were expected to serve their masters on Christmas Day. It wasn't "a day off." Servants would have the next day off, 26 December. And, on this day, they would come-by the house to receive their Christmas gift from their employer—their "box"—thus it became known as "Boxing Day." Today, the servants are long gone (at least in Middle Class households). But the holiday remains—an official "bank holiday" in Britain and some British Commonwealth countries. The desk box, shown above, is simplicity itself. Handsome quarter-sawn oak is assembled with dovetailed joinery. A simple hook keeps the lid closed. It's the perfect box for keeping special letters, a bit of jewelry,...
When I was a Greenwich Village shopkeeper, we kept LEO Design open until 10:00 pm on Christmas Eve. We didn't do a ton of business after 6:00 pm, though we did entice a few relaxed and cheerful souls—ambling home after a nice dinner and a few drinks—and we were able to clean-up the shop after a busy Christmas week. At LEO Design, we had another Christmas Eve tradition: we would clear the window of all merchandise and install our pair of polychromed Italian terra-cotta angels, modeled after the pair standing vigil at Saint Domenic's tomb in Bologna, Italy. Michelangelo carved the original male angel. I had bought these angels from an Italian import showroom in 1995, our first year of business....
Germany was the birthplace of Modernist church design (both Catholic and Protestant) in the Twentieth Century. In the Twenties, through the end of the Weimar Republic (1918-1933), Germany took-the-lead in building new religious spaces with a radical, Modernist look. Before World War One, the Church looked-backward for its design inspiration. By emulating older schools of design—principally the Romanesque and the Gothic—the Church believed it was reinforcing the continuity between the modern Church and all that had come before. But, for a few years, German church designers moved in the new, Modernist direction—until the Nazis (who abhorred any Modernist expression) came to power. With very few exceptions, the Germans were quite alone in this early modernization. Modernism would not become popular in churches...
Admittedly, I bought this item for the frame alone. I can always use a nice Blackforest picture frame. I thought I might use it (some day) to frame a period photo, a print or a watercolor. The print, itself, was just a little too saccharine, for me. On closer inspection, however, I concluded that the print has some value, too. It's indeed old—from the Nineteenth Century. And though the subject is not compelling (to me), it wears a nice patina of time. So I decided to list the piece. Either I will sell it with the print, as found, or I will use the frame when the right print comes along.
Whether you're fresh-in from the slopes, or have spent the whole afternoon sipping cider in the lodge, a nice Christmassy ski sweater always fits-the-bill. This little fellow, made of faux mohair, has felt pads for paws and jointed, posable limbs. And, of course, that jolly, red snowflake sweater paired with black velour shorts. Add him to your Holiday guest list.
Christmas is rumbling toward us! It's only five days away!
One can nearly hear the clatter of hooves, the rumble of the coach, and the shouts of the coachman reverberating off of this print, made in London in 1898. It was first hand-carved as a woodblock print by Sir William Nicholson, RA, who then re-printed it with the "more modern" lithographic technology. Tinted highlight color would then be applied by hand. It was published as one in a portfolio of prints—one for each month—called An Almanac of Twelve Sports. Different "sporting" activities were depicted, accompanied by text written by Rudyard Kipling.
