design

Rolleiflex Automat 6×6 TLR camera by Franke & Heidecke, Germany circa 1954

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A Stunning vintage camera and a design classic. notable for their exceptional build quality, compact size, modest weight, superior optics, durable, simple, reliable mechanics and bright viewfinders. They were popular and widely imitated. The high-quality 7.5 cm focal length lenses, manufactured by Zeiss and Schneider, allowed for a smaller, lighter, more compact camera than their imitators. This example from 1954 comes with original kit including a leather case, a filter and close up filter set in a leather case, a panoramic head, a converter kit for 35mm film and a Rollei manual.

Bertoncello Ceramiche D’Arte yellow cube vase, form no. 908, Italy circa 1960’s

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This is a Stunning and Beautiful Bertoncello vase made by the Italian pottery circa 1960’s / early 1970’s.

An iconic sculptural piece of Retro Italian ceramic design by the famous Bertoncello Ceramiche D’Arte. In their trademark style geometric and monumental and resembling large pebbles / modern architectural forms. With dramatic curves, rounded corners and recessed pierced holes, recalling the works of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth.

Very Space Age / Op / Pop Art in form with its curved cuboid form, and sits on two shallow pedestal feet so it floats on a surface. Striking mottled, dripped and streaked glossy yellow and brown tones in the glaze, reminiscent of ‘Fat Lava’ pottery.

Hoptimist Billionaire Bimble Money Box in red, designed by Hans Gustav Ehrenreich, Denmark circa 1969

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The Hoptimist ‘Billionaire Bimble’ moneybox is a classic of Danish Modern design.  The range of brightly coloured spring bodied toy figures were created by Hans Gustav Ehrenreich in 1969, and definitely embody a feeling of Space Age optimism and Pop Art fun into their quirky design.

Set of 6 Walter Bosse style stacking metal hedgehog ashtray / dishes and a Kosta Boda etched glass hedgehog designed by Vicke Lindstrand

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Contrasting vintage hedgehogs, the dark metal Walter Bosse style set of 6 stacking small ashtrays is a beautiful and ingenious design and a real mid century classic.  The Kosta Boda clear glass paperweight, designed by Vicke Lindstrand exemplifies the minimal Scandinavian aesthetic, a simple form with etched spines.  Vintage woodland animals to add some nature inspired retro style to any interior this autumn.

Zell Schmider vase no. 3589, form and decor by Anneliese Beckh, West Germany circa 1956

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This small but perfectly formed Zell Schmider vase may mark a turning point in my collecting.  With its beautiful abstract Cubist /Picasso / Corbusier inspired decor, very much in the Mid-century Modern style, interlocking circles with blocks of primary colour on a simple elegant form.

It encapsulates and references the modern design ethos of the era all in just 10cm !  Unlike the later larger ‘Fat Lava’ floor vases (of which I have quite a few) this could happily sit on a bookshelf or mantelpiece, a subtle nod to great 1950’s design.  This will inspire me to seek out other similar pieces that display classic style on a miniature scale.

Cenedese, Murano Sommerso organic glass vase in red and yellow, designed by Antonio Da Ros, Venice, Italy circa 1960’s

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This Cenedese single stem vase, encapsulates everything great about Murano art glass.  The beautiful organic shape with its contrasting sharp angled rim marks a clear break from tradition, embracing the space age futuristic styles of the 1960s.  The handmade blown glass is skillfully and amazingly layered using the Sommerso (submerged) technique, creating encased coloured capsules that need no other adornment.  It catches and refracts the light beautifully and becomes a sculptural piece of art in its own right.

Danish / Scandinavian Leather and Rosewood swivel lounge chair, circa 1960’s

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Something a little different, and bigger than the usual offerings.  This lovely Danish style Rosewood stained bent ply and leather swivel lounge chair.  No makers mark, but ticks all the classic Scandinavian design boxes, and would make a great addition to any Mid-Century Modern through to minimal contemporary interior.  Available in my Ebay listings!