brighton

Art Deco black Bakelite Ltd. trefoil lidded box, London circa 1930’s

This is a Beautiful Art Deco black Bakelite trefoil shaped lidded box, made by Bakelite Limited, London circa late 1930’s.

A Fabulous piece in the trefoil form of the Bakelite logo. With the logo on the lid, the inside of the lid has a moulded inscription ‘With the compliments of Bakelite Limited 12/16 Grosvenor Gardens London S.W.1.’
This design can also be found with an inscription to commemorate the coronation of George VI, May 12 1937. dating this piece to a similar age.

Most likely a promotional piece for shopkeepers or business associates. Its lidded form and compartmentalised interior make it perfect as a desk tidy, but could also be used as a trinket / jewellery box.

Would make a Stunning addition to any Bakelite / Art Deco design collection, and would complement any antique, vintage, 1930’s, 1940’s, Art Deco, Modernist, Bauhaus, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no cracks, the back underside lip of the lid is rough from use over the years, some tiny chips, not visible on display and do not detract (pictured).

Measures 13 x 13 x 3cm / 5.25 x 5.25 x 1.25in.
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Pair of Schlossberg Keramik ‘Kuba’ vases, West Germany circa 1958

These are a Stunning Pair of Schlossberg Keramik ‘Kuba’ vases, designed by Liesel Spornhauer, West Germany circa 1958.

A Fantastic decor, very reminiscent of the era and inspired by Cubist / Mondrian art and design. With the matte black glazed background having a hand decorated tube lined glaze in glossy white forming a random abstract grid like pattern. Some of the spaces are then filled with glossy vibrant red, yellow and blue glazes.

Wonderful forms, the larger vase has a bulbous top heavy shape with a slanted rim, the smaller vase has a tapered form and ‘fishmouth’ curved rim.

Modern art meets ceramics, in this delightful pair by this renowned smaller high quality West German pottery. A Highly collectable mid century art pottery decor.

Would make an Excellent addition to any collection of West German / European / Schlossberg ceramics. And would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, 1950’s, 1960’s, minimal or contemporary interior.

Both in Excellent Condition, no chips, cracks or crazing, the matte black paint shows some light marks as is common with this design, nothing to detract on display.

The large vase measures 21 x 11 x 11cm / 8.25 x 4.25 x 4.25in.

The smaller vase measures 19 x 9.5 x 8cm / 7.5 x 3.75 x 3.25in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1rm0dtP

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‘Rimini’ yellow bull by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa mid 1960’s

At last I have found myself a Bitossi Bull! In the ‘Rimini’ decor but in a mustard yellow colour, rather than the usual ‘Rimini Blu’. Designed by Aldo Londi in the mid 1960’s, the form is highly stylised and really gives an impression of strength and power. A classic mid century sculptural piece of Italian pottery.
And will be part of my collection for me to enjoy until I find a few more!

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‘Flash’ Butter Dish by Dorothy Hafner, Rosenthal Studio Line, Germany circa 1984.

This is one of 3 pieces from this range for sale over at my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/afterglowretro

This is a Fantastic butter dish by Rosenthal Studio Line, part of the ‘Flash’ range designed by Dorothy Hafner circa 1984.

A Great 1980’s Postmodern / Memphis style design by Dorothy Hafner, one of the most well respected proponents of the avant-garde in the ceramic design business. Her works excelling in a synthesis of shape and pattern.

The butter dish has a lovely angular shape, with a small handle on the top to lift the cover. The rectangular dish has an inner lip for the top to fit snugly on. Perfectly practical as a butter or even cheese serving dish, also beautiful as a decorative piece. The decor is very reminiscent of the era, very colourful, abstract and cartoon like.

The butter dish would make a Fabulous addition to any Rosenthal ‘Flash’ collection, and would bring a great design edge and splash of colour to any retro, vintage, 80’s, Postmodern or contemporary interior!

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measuring 19 x 14 x 7cm / 7.5 x 5.5 x 2.75in.

Marked to the base ‘Rosenthal Studio – line Germany Flash Form Design Dorothy Hafner’.

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Brutalist boy / girl studio pottery figure

As the year end approaches, thought I would share my favourite find of the year. This striking Brutalist style boy / girl double sided pottery figure.
Its sitting in my collection at the moment, on display of course, awaiting more info.
Unmarked and measuring 23 x 19 x 7cm / 9 x 7.5 x 2.75in, and weighing a hefty 2kg for its size! Wonderfully crafted with its clever geometric inlaid construction, glazed and unglazed components, and featuring a different stylised figure on each side.

Most likely a studio piece, possibly Danish and in the style of modernist designers such as Paul Evans, its a mystery that hopefully will be solved in 2014!

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Large Scheurich Keramik handled vase, West Germany, 1960’s.

This is a Lovely Large Scheurich Keramik handled vase, West Germany circa early 1960’s.

A Stunning form and decor on this vase by Heinz Siery, the main designer from the mid 1950’s. With its conical bulbous base, large chimney like neck and right angled handle it has beautiful proportions, possibly based on classical styles and adapted for the mid century era.

The glazes are fantastic, a foamy base in a light yellow / green, pumice like and very similar to ‘Fat Lava’ glazes. Embellished with abstract geometric ‘Cubist’ style motifs in a black glaze. Some using the ‘sgraffito’ technique to make incisions in the surface, these are filled with vibrant orange and blue pools of glaze. The interior is glazed in a bright glossy yellow.

Very reminiscent of the mid century modernist era, similar to designs by Marcello Fantoni in Italy at the time. Possibly referencing the same Etruscan classical styles, interpreted for the modern age.

Would be Great as part of a collection of West German / Fat Lava / European Art Pottery, and would make a fantastic addition to any retro, vintage, 50’s, 60’s, mid century, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

Moulded mark to the base 285 40.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 40 x 18 x 18cm / 16 x 7 x 7in.

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‘Tigris’ vase and dish, Zell Shmider Keramik, West Germany circa 1956

These are a Beautiful miniature vase and dish pair, made by Zell Schmider Keramik, West Germany, form and decor designed by Anneliese Beckh circa 1956.

In the Stunning ‘Tigris’ decor, with its glossy black glaze and wavy stripes in yellow and white. Very reminiscent of the era and most likely influenced by Picasso, Cubism and Modernist styles, understated, elegant and classic design.

Lovely forms, the small vase having a rounded tapered body with a curving rim and the pin dish sits at an angle with an asymmetric curved kidney shape. Both perfect as part of a centrepiece or grouping, as a single stem vase and pin dish, desk accessories, or sculptural pieces in their own right.

Pieces from this lesser known pottery are rarer than the output of the large ceramics factories of the 60’s / 70’s, and this earlier Mid Century style is very collectable as an antithesis to the ‘Fat Lava’ styles.

Would complement any collection of West German or European Art / Studio pottery, and would look fantastic in any retro, vintage, mid century, fifties, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, a couple of miniscule fleabite sized rough patches on the rims, nothing to detract on display, no chips or cracks.

Marked to the base 3589 Made in Western Germany 1786 26 and with the company logo.

The small vase measures 12 x 7.5 x 7cm / 4.75 x 3 x 2.75in. Marked to the base ‘Made in Western Germany 4167’.

The pin dish measures 10.5 x 7 x 4cm / 4.25 x 2.75 x 1.75in. Marked to the base ‘4087 22’.

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‘Rimini Blu’ bowl, Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s

This is a Fantastic ‘Rimini Blu’ bowl / dish / wall plaque, by Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s.

A Striking form, the wide flat rimmed circular bowl has a hemispherical well in the middle. Decorative and sculptural, could be used as part of a table arrangement, as a candleholder, on a desk, or can be hung as a wall plaque.

A Fabulous design by Aldo Londi from 1959, in the striking iconic ‘Rimini Blu’, With its alternating bands of impressed motifs resembling Arabesque or Runic patterns, it is influenced by the new trends in art and design in the mid century period. Beautiful glossy layered blue and turquoise glazes evoke the colours of the Mediterranean Sea.

A Wonderful, Rare and Unusual piece from one of the greatest designers and ceramicists of the 20th century.

Would look great in any 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, retro, vintage, mid century modern, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior. A Great addition to any collection of Bitossi / Italian / European art pottery or 20th century design.

In Great Condition, a few small flakes of missing glaze as is common with this style of rough glazed ceramics. the hole on the base for wall hanging is probably not original, but doesn’t detract, not visible on display.

Measures 21 x 21 x 2.5cm / 8.25 x 8.25 x 1in.

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Tilgmans Keramik handled vase, made in Sweden circa 1960’s

This is a Great Tilgmans Keramik handled vase, made in Sweden circa 1960’s.

A Striking piece of Scandinavian pottery, very much in the studio / Fat Lava style. Rough and rustic with incised geometric motifs on a brown base. Decorated with orange, green, blue and white glazes in rough handpainted bands over.

Completed with a small decorative handle and a wonderfully mottled glossy glazed inner in turquoise. A real contrast to the Brutalist / Modernist outer surfaces, very reminiscent of designs of the era, and of Scandinavian ceramics.

Perfect for use as a small vase, as a pen / brush pot for use on a desk / in a kitchen etc. Very sculptural in its own right as a display piece too.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Tilgmans / Swedish / European / Studio pottery, and would complement any Scandinavian / Nordic / Mid Century / Retro / Vintage / Modernist / Rustic styled interior.

Great Condition, no chips or cracks, some flakes to the rough glaze, nothing to detract on display.

Unmarked to the base, but the same decor can be seen on pieces stamped with the Tilgmans mark.

Measures 14 x 11 x 10.5cm / 5.5 x 4.5 x 4.25in.

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Trio of Danish Modern Teak trolls, Hans Bolling, Denmark circa 1960’s

These are a Great trio of Danish Modern Teak trolls, attributed to Hans Bolling, Denmark circa 1960’s.

A Fantastic mini set, comprising of miniature troll figurines the ‘Optimist’, ‘Pessimist’ and a tiny presumably child troll! All made out of teak, with rope arms and rabbit fur hair and painted eyes.

Stunning mid century Danish modern design classic, so reminiscent of the era, their small size would make them perfect to accessorise and add some fun character to a desk, mantelpiece or shelf.

Would make a Stunning addition to any Danish or Scandinavian Teak collection, and would complement any mid century modern, retro, vintage, 60’s, kitsch or contemporary interior.

In Great Vintage Condition, some thinning of the rabbit fur hair, couple of tiny nicks to the wood, maybe from production as they are so small, nothing to detract on display.

The two larger figures measure approx 7 x 3.5 x 3.5cm / 2.75 x 1.5 x 1.5in.

The small figure measures 4 x 2 x 2cm / 1.5 x 0.75 x 0.75in.

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