Adventures in Aventurine

All that glitters can sometimes be copper...or Aventurine as is the correct term for this use of the ore in glass. Another giant achievement, quite literally, from mid-century Barbini. This very large centerpiece measures 18" x 13" in diameter.

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Towering Pachyderm

Elephants of all ages piled high in one trippy drippy Kelly Green sculpture. The original Rosenthal-Netter paper label tells us this was made in Italy for import in the 1950s. UPDATE: A knowledgable reader has contributed the fact that this was created by Gli Etruschi, out of Firenze, Italy.

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Monumental Masterpiece

This is certianly the single largest piece from Gunnar Nylund that we have had the great fortune to acquire. Where the average height among others in this off-white coloration is typically around 9" - this behemoth beauty stands at an impressive 26" tall! Made for Rörstrand in the 1950s. I feel that this was made expressly as a presentation or showroom piece (as in not for export) as the country of origin mark on the bottom is incised "Sverige" ...in other words, the Swedish spelling for Sweden.

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Le Sphinx

A 'Grand Tour Souvenir' circa 1880 
French Bronze on Pink Marble

Although a mythological creature most closely associated with Egypt, it is likely that this was a keepsake for the rich European traveler to Paris, as The Louvre holds one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world.

9" x 6" 

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Très Chic

It is a distinct pleasure to be included in this month's French Architectural Digest dedicated to all things "New-Yorkaise". The renown jewelry designer Marie-Hélène de Taillac’s new New York apartment includes many items from The End of History. She also mentions us in her list of favorite New York places. Among those items spotted in her chic home are our Pineapple Ice-bucket, our matching Murano flower vases, a blue Barbini lamp in her boudoir, and the always elegant stopper bottles seen above. Merci Marie-Hélène!
Photos: Douglas Friedman

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Crushed Glass Ceramiche

What I love about this type of Italian pottery is the crackle glass glaze set in the decoration, giving it a sort of aged stained-glass look. The pottery itself is textured to resemble natural cork. With the pop-art shapes and the unexpected mix of color - amber, teal, orange, cobalt- and textures, the result is both modernist and rustic at once. We've had this Bitossi design (either Londi or Bagni) before as a box, but not as a rectagular vase as shown.
8.5"

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Swedish Set

And then there were 3...We love re-assembling like patterns from a line. This particular motif is called "Sagina" - from the very talented and prolific Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby. She designed this group in 1959. The ceramics have a mix of a very finely striated matte brown surface and what is perhaps an abstract leaf motif in this very mid-century pastel color palette.
Top bowl measures 10" from top to tip
Small vases measure around 6-7"

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