Turning Japanese

Although we are best known as purveyors of accessories from the 20th Century, we can't resist an exquisite exception. Such is the case with this lovely hand-painted piece from Japan, circa late 19th century. The scene makes one long for the tranquil birds and blooms of spring, seemingly an eternity away given our current inclement weather.
16"

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Hirsute & Handsome

 

A hauntingly good looking male bust by the famed American artist Edward Melcarth, signed and dated 1968. Most of his works were purchased by Malcolm Forbes and later by Forbes' son.

UPDATE: I was pleased to be contacted by the nephew of Melcarth and informed that the bust is made of a type of resin and that this piece is often referred to as the "Heroic Head" or "Roman Head". The subject model likely a friend or lover of the artist.

Melcarth had another important friend and patron in Peggy Guggenheim for whom he designed the most fabulous sunglasses of the 20th century.
12" tall

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Luscious Lucite

2 x Trios of American-made Lucite candle sticks from the 60s ~  retro-futuristic illumination triplicated in fantastic acrylic and brass

Top: 10", 14", 18.5"

Bottom: 4", 7.5", 10.5"

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Beyond Blue

The word of the day is...Cerulean. It's that particular hue of blue, somewhere between cobalt and blue-green. We just love the great saturation and gorgeous crazing of this french 1930s ceramic vase. Although unmarked, it is quite possibly from the French studio of Edmond Lachenal.
 12"

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Checkered Past

Is it just me...or does this 1950s gold and brown Bavarian porcelain vase remind anyone of a certain French luxury brand?
11"

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Out of Africa

African art is incredibly difficult to date, but lucky for us we have a terrific clue in a paper label showing that this pair is from a country that only existed in name for a very short period. From 1961-1964 the Republic of Tanganyika, was a sovereign state in East Africa... and is now known as Tanzania. These two native women are carved from a very dense, dark, hard wood, likely ebony.
7", 6"

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Table Talk

A rather special occasional table...Mid-century Murano glass from the base to the leg with the original matching green tinted clear beveled top. Teal glass with brass fittings in a sleek modernist shape. So exciting - It looks like an exclamation point!
29.5" tall and 23.5" in diameter

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