art deco

Art Deco Bakelite napkin rings, Scottie dog, Squirrel and Duck circa 1930’s

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These are a fantastic set of 3 art deco Bakelite animal napkin rings, a Scottie dog, squirrel and duck, country of origin unknown circa 1930’s.

Wonderful designs, simple stylised forms with holes in the middles for holding a rolled napkin. The shapes are so reminiscent of the art deco era. All in vibrant colours, the squirrel and Scottie dog in a buterscotch orange with very faint marbling, the duck is in a dark green with faint yellow marbling. All have painted on eyes.

All tested with Simichrome polish as being genuine Bakelite.

Would make a fantastic addition to any Bakelite collection and would complement any art deco, modernist, 1930’s, 1940’s, retro, vintage or contemporary styled interior or table.

All in great condition, the painted eyes are rubbed off on a couple of sides, light surface wear and a few tiny nibbles here and there, nothing to detract from the great overall look on display.

Each measuring approx 7 x 6 x 1.5cm / 2.75 x 2.5 x 0.75in.

These are for sale in my Etsy shop : http://etsy.me/19TgrYr

Rototherm green bakelite desk top thermometer, England circa 1930’s

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This is a fantastic green Bakelite / urea formaldehyde plastic desk top thermometer, made by Rototherm, England circa 1930’s.

Stunning colour, made from the early plastic urea-formaldehyde, very similar in appearance and often mistaken for Bakelite, but in a far more vibrant colour than Bakelite could be made in, a beautiful turquoise / jade green, so reminiscent of the 1930’s era.

Wonderful art deco / modernist / machine age form, the circular dial sitting on a raised stepped plinth, with fantastic curves and angles.

The dial is in black with white scale and hand, making it very graphic and easy to read. The temperature scale is in Fahrenheit and shows the optimal ‘comfort zone’ !

A lovely rare collectable piece that is so reminiscent of the era and perfectly exemplifies the use of new materials and Art Deco / Modernist design during the 1930’s.

Would make a great addition to any collection of Bakelite / early plastic items, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1930’s-50’s, modernist, minimalist or contemporary interior.

Measures 10 x 10 x 7.5cm / 4 x 4 x 3in.

In excellent condition, working and the back can be removed to adjust, no chips, cracks or scratches.

This item is for sale in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1xB9LZy

Bakelite Chinaman Pretzel holder, Germany circa 1940’s

This is a Stunning Bakelite Pretzel holder, Germany circa 1940’s.

A Fantastic design so evocative of the era. The stylised Chinaman figure is made of yellow and black Bakelite standing on a rectangular black Bakelite stand. Great form and detailing with the conical Asian hat, eyes, a rod nose, collar and buttons in black, and the body and head in a very faintly marbled yellow.

The pretzel sticks can be held in the coiled spring gilt metal basket on his back, pretzel rings can be slid on the metal pole, which is topped with a yellow bakelite ball.

Great as a table / bar accessory, could be used as part of a table setting for Christmas or parties, coule be used for sweets / cigarettes etc.

A Fantastic antique Bakelite collectable that would make a great addition to any collection, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1940’s, 1950’s, Art Deco, Modernist or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches, usual age related marks on the underside of the base, nothing visible.

Measures 16.5 x 9 x 6cm / 6.5 x 3.5 x 2.5in.

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Trio of early plastic / bakelite small dishes, made in England circa 1930’s

These are a wonderful trio of early plastic / bakelite small dishes, made in England circa 1930’s.

The conical one is in a mottled dark red / brown, lovely flared shape with deep bowl in the top, marked to the base ‘use Carlton custard powder’.
The shallow wide bowl is black on the outside and the same mottled dark red / brown inside, advertising ‘The Tricity Demonstration Home’ on the base.
The deeper bowl has a squared rim, and is made of a ‘Camo’ style plastic in olive green, red / brown and black. Marked to the base ‘Belplastic Ltd British Made’.

Fantastic mini collection that would look great on display, or for use on a desk, table, kitchen, as pin / condiment dishes, desk tidy / paperweights etc.

A Lovely set that are so reminiscent of the era and perfectly exemplify the use of new materials and Art Deco / Modernist design during the 1930’s.

Perfect as an addition to any collection of Bakelite / early plastic / Art Deco design pieces. Would look fantastic in any retro, vintage, 1930’s, 1940’s, modernist, minimal or contemporary space.

In Excellent Vintage Condition, the wide bowl has a liitle nibble to the rim and some crazing, the other two pieces are almost perfect, nothing to detract.

The conical bowl measures 6.5 x 6.5 x 3.75cm / 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.5in.

The shallow wide bowl measures 8 x 8 x 2cm / 3.25 x 3.25 x 0.75in.

The deeper bowl measures 7 x 7 x 3cm / 2.75 x 2.75 x 1.25in.

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Kienzle ‘Tam-Tam’ alarm clock, made in Germany circa 1930′s

This is a Stunning and Rare Kienzle ‘Tam-Tam’ alarm clock, made in Germany circa 1930’s.

A Beautiful design from this renowned maker of high quality clocks. Has all the hallmarks of the Art Deco era. With its round Chrome body gently leaning back on attractively detailed feet and stand. With a carry handle on the top, and sliding knobs for alarm/silent and steady/repeat functions. Even the dials on the rear are attractive and the winders have the Kienzle logo on.

The face is Beautiful, sitting behind glass, framed by a cream border in a bright white with Great vintage lettering and numerals very Art Deco / Bauhaus / Modernist in style. With a second and alarm dial also, the hands are also embellished.

The numerals, hands and border glow in the dark, for easy reading at night!

Fully Working, keeping good time, can be adjusted on the back. The alarm is working and Very Loud!

In remarkable condition for its age, some tarnishing, mostly on the rear and stand, could be polished to perfection! Some tiny rust marks around clock face rim, nothing to detract from the Excellent look on display.

A Real Rare Art Deco gem, would make a Stunning addition to any bedroom, table or desk.

Would make a Fantastic decorators / designers piece for any retro, vintage, antique, Art Deco, Modernist, Bauhaus, 1930’s styled interior.

Measures 17 x 12 x 6cm / 6.75 x 4.75 x 2.5in.

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Vintage Kienzle nautical style wall clock on a rope, Germany circa 1950’s

This is a Stunning Nautical style hanging wall clock on a rope, made by Kienzle, Germany circa 1950’s.

A Fantastic Art Deco design, with the round face mounted on wood and brass rimmed, Very reminiscent of the era with the stylised numerals and sleek rounded form. Lovely decorative hands and brass clasps holding the rope, similar to a ships clock design.
Incorporates elements of the Bauhaus / Modernist design movements in Germany at the time. Most likely a Heinrich Moeller design, who produced many stunning Deco pieces for this highly renowned clock maker.

Would make a great stylish practical addition to any nautical, retro, vintage, art deco, modernist, mid century or contemporary styled interior. Perfect for an office, hallway or living room.

In Full Working Order, fitted with a later Kienzle battery operated mechanism.

In Excellent Condition, some tarnishing to the brass, the wood is in Great Condition, nice golden patina. A few marks on the clock face from 60+ years of the hands moving, nothing to detract.

The clock measures 17 x 17 x 5cm / 6.5 x 6.5 x 2in. Its length when hanging is 42cm / 16.5in.

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Rare Art Deco Chrome Kienzle ‘Tam Tam’ Alarm Clock, Germany circa 1930’s

This is a Stunning and Rare Kienzle ‘Tam-Tam’ alarm clock, made in Germany circa 1930’s.

A Beautiful design from this renowned maker of high quality clocks. Has all the hallmarks of the Art Deco era. With its round Chrome body gently leaning back on attractively detailed feet and stand. With a carry handle on the top, and sliding knobs for alarm/silent and steady/repeat functions. Even the dials on the rear are attractive and the winders have the Kienzle logo on.

The face is Beautiful, sitting behind glass, framed by a glossy white border in a graphic black with Great vintage lettering and numerals very Art Deco / Bauhaus / Modernist in style. With a second and alarm dial also, the hands are also embellished.

The numerals and hands glow in the dark, for easy reading at night!

Fully Working, keeping good time, can be adjusted on the back. The alarm is working and Very Loud!

In remarkable condition for its age, a little tarnishing in a few spots, on the handle and the inner rim on the rear, could be polished to perfection! Tiny marks on one of the hands and a few flakes of paint missing from the inner rim when seen from an angle, nothing to detract from the Excellent look on display.

A Real Rare Art Deco gem, would make a Stunning addition to any bedroom, table or desk.

Would make a Fantastic decorators / designers piece for any retro, vintage, antique, Art Deco, Modernist, Bauhaus, 1930’s styled interior.

Measures 17 x 12 x 6cm / 6.75 x 4.75 x 2.5in.

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Ceramiche Zaccagnini Geisha playing a harp figurine, Florence, Italy circa 1940’s / 50’s


This is a beautiful and rare piece of Mid Century Modernist Italian pottery by the Zaccagnini pottery.  Depicting a Japanese Geisha playing a harp (kugo) the style owes much to the companies Art Nouveau and Art Deco heritage.  Produced under the tutelage of Urbano Zaccagnini who had taken over the pottery from his father Ugo in 1937, the focus shifted to decorative figurines, finding favour with high class US stores such as Tiffany’s. During this period they also produced limited, highly collectable and valuable figures for Disney.  This wonderful piece contrasts an unglazed matte base with a vibrant blue majolica glaze giving the stylised figure an ancient appearance.