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

March 26, 2015Uncategorized1930's, antique, art deco, bakelite, Bauhaus, brighton, collectable, desk decor, desk top thermometer, england, etsy, green bakelite, modernist, Rototherm, thermometerafterglowretro Leave a comment

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

Mdina glass ‘Helter Skelter’ vase by Michael Harris, Malta circa 1970’s

March 5, 2015Uncategorized1970's, afterglowretro, art glass, brighton, etsy, fiery red, helter skelter, home decor, interior design, Malta, Maltese glass, Mdina, Mdina glass, Mdina vase, Michael Harris, modernist glass, retro decor, Vase, volcanoafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a beautiful Mdina art glass vase in a fiery red Volcano / Helter Skelter decor by Michael Harris, Malta circa 1970’s.

A fantastic design, very different from Midna’s usual natural Mediterranean inspired work. The tapered body has a wide flat disk rim and thick applied strapping, wrapping around the body in an undulating ‘Helter Skelter’ style. All in a vibrant cased glass with fiery red swirls for dramatic effect.

Catches the light beautifully, through the fiery red glass and applied strappoing, and with light shining on it or through it, perfect as a statement piece for display, as a table centrepiece etc.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Mdina / Maltese / Art Glass and would complement any retro, vintage, 1970’s, minimal, modernist, Mediterranean or contemporary interior.

Measures 25 x 7.5 x 7.5cm / 10 x 3 x 3in.

In excellent condition, no marks, chips or scratches. Signed ‘Mdina’ to the base and has the Mdina and sales labels still intact.

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

‘Rimini Blu’ cat by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche, Italian pottery circa 1970’s

January 20, 2015Ceramics1960's, 1970's, Aldo Londi, animal figure, Bitossi, Bitossi cat, blue, brighton, cat, Cer Paoli, ceramiche, etsy, home decor, interior design, italian pottery, mid century, modernist, pop art, retro, rimini blu, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

Happy 2015! Only a couple of weeks into the New Year and I have already had a few exciting finds, including this lovely Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Rimini Blu’ cat. Designed by Aldo Londi in the late 1960’s in the classic decor and colours that are so reminiscent of the Mediterranean and the mid century modernist era. Super stylish with wonderful character, a beautiful piece to accessorise any sideboard, mantelpiece or table and would fit perfectly into any Bitossi or Italian pottery collection.

This was made for the shop Cer Paoli for a limited time in the early 1970’s hence their mark and not that of Bitossi on the base, and was sold on the Rimini Coast in the place that inspired the decor!

Here’s hoping for more great little gems like this for the rest of the year!

Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Moderna Marocco’ pottery ball vase, Italy, 1970’s

October 12, 2014Uncategorized1970's, abstract, Aldo Londi, Bitossi, bitossi ceramiche, brighton, etsy, Moderna Marocco, retro, Vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a striking Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Moderna Marocco’ pottery ball vase made in Italy circa mid 1970’s.

A stunning design and decor by Aldo Londi, inspired by textile patterns and the studio pottery movement of the 1970’s.
Featuring the characteristic pitted texture from the inclusion of rough granules in the clay, but unusually no sgraffito or impressed decor. Instead complex glazes with handpainted geometric patterns in black and white.

Lovely form with the bulbous ball shape having a lipped rim, sculptural and imposing. This decor and vase can be seen in Mark Hills ‘Alla Moda’ Italian ceramics book.

Wonderfully modernist / brutalist / minimalist in style, so reminiscent of the era, perfect as a practical vase, or as desk / table decor or to admire in its own right.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Bitossi / Italian / European art pottery, or 20th century design and would complement any retro, vintage, modernist, brutalist, minimalist, 1960’s, 1970’s or contemporary styled interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or cracks, still bears part of the original Rosenthal Netter distributors label.

Measures 17 x 13 x 13cm / 6.75 x 5.25 x 5.25in.

Available in my Etsy shop with a dish in the same decor : http://etsy.me/1sDhu4S

Malcolm Moran bronze figures / vignette, California, 1972

September 24, 2014Collectables1970's, brighton, bronze, California, children, etsy, figurines, flowers, Malcolm Moran, metal art, mid century, modernist, Moran, retro, sculpture, teddy bear, usa, vignette, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a beautiful whimsical vignette of two running and playing children, with flowers and teddy bear, in bronze by Californian artist and sculptor Malcolm Moran, 1972.

A wonderful piece by the highly collectable Malcolm Moran a mid century designer turned bronze sculptor who lived and worked in Carmel, California, and exhibited at the White House amongst many other achievements.

A stunning design, the two children holding hands and running through flowers. Amazing details from the jade green gravel on the brass base, curls of metal for plant leaves with lovely enamelled flowers. One figure is floating in mid air, suspended by the holding hands and swinging a teddy bear. Topped with painted headwear and some daubs to the cheeks to suggest playing as Indians.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Moran / American / Californian bronzes or sculptures, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1960’s, 70’s, mid century, modernist, minimalist or contemporary interior.

Marked to the base 1972 with the makers mark.

In excellent condition, with a lovely patina to the bronze.

Measures 17 x 7 x 14cm / 6.75 x 2.75 x 5.5in.

http://etsy.me/1rnrVsp

Large table cigarette lighter, Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s

September 14, 2014Ceramics, Collectables1960's, Aldo Londi, Bitossi, brighton, ceramiche, ceramics, cigarette lighter, coffee table, decor, Desk, etsy, italian pottery, large, made in Italy, mcm, mid century, modern, paisley, pottery, retro, rimini, Rosenthal Netter, spagnolo, table lighter, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a beautiful and large table cigarette / cigar lighter by Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s.

A fabulous piece designed by Aldo Londi, a striking style very different to the iconic ‘Rimini Blu’. This ‘Liberty’ decor was influenced by paisley patterns on imported Persian and Indian textiles.
This is in an unusual colourway similar to that used on the ‘Spagnolo’ decor, in yellow, orange, brown and green tones, representing the Spanish terrain.

The pattern is impressed into the surface, and the whole piece has the characteristic pitted texture from the inclusion of rough granules in the clay. Lovely form with the tapered waisted base and bulbous neck, with the brass lighter sitting in a well on the top.

A wonderful piece from one of the greatest designers and ceramicists of the 20th century that
would make a fantastic practical table lighter or display item, and would look great in any 60’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 excellent working condition, the mechanism still has a wick and the flint sparks, will need filling with lighter fluid. The pottery is excellent, free from chips or cracks, some light crazing commensurate with age, nothing to detract on display.

Measures 18 x 7 x 7cm / 7 x 2.75 x 2.75in.

Still bears the original makers and distributors labels on the base, ‘Made in Italy 69 / 10’ and ‘Created in Italy for Rosenthal Netter’.

Available for sale in my Etsy shop http://etsy.me/Xgvt3G

Ruscha Keramik ‘Pompeji’ handled vase, West Germany circa 1960’s

September 7, 2014Ceramics1960's, afterglow retro, brighton, ceramics, etsy, fat lava, Gerda Heuckeroth, mid century, modernist, Otto Gerharz, Pompeii, Pompeji, pottery, retro, ruscha, Ruscha Keramik, vintage, vulkano, West Germanafterglowretro One comment

This is a stunning ‘Pompeji / Pompeii’ handled vase, made by Ruscha Keramik, West Germany circa late 1960’s.

A fantastic form by Gerda Heuckeroth in 1968, its squat shape with small decorative handles, ribbed body and small neck and opening resembling ancient / classical designs.

With its ‘Fat Lava’ glaze complementing the archaic look, it could have been unearthed from volcanic ashes!
With its bubbling black base glaze, picked out with orangey reds and hints of green and yellow giving a really lava-like appearance and suiting its ‘Pompeii’ name in the process. The decor is most likely by Otto Gerharz who developed the innovative ‘Vulkano’ glaze amongst many others.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Fat Lava, West German or European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, brutalist, minimalist or contemporary interior.

Indistinct moulded mark to the base ‘875’.

In excellent condition, no chips or cracks, some burst ‘lava’ bubbles from production.

Measures 11 x 13 x 12cm / 4.5 x 5 x 4.75in.

This vase is available for sale in my Etsy shop http://etsy.me/1AlRjzu

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

March 16, 2014Collectables1930's, afterglow retro, antique, art deco bakelite, art deco london, bakelite box, bakelite limited, bakelite ltd, brighton, etsy, etsy uk, lidded box, london, trefoil box, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

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.

Pair of Schlossberg Keramik ‘Kuba’ vases, West Germany circa 1958

March 2, 2014Ceramics1950's, brighton, cubist, etsy, fat lava, kuba, Liesel Spornhauer, mid century pottery, modernist, mondrian, retro, schlossberg, schlossberg kuba, vintage, west german ceramics, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

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

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

February 27, 2014Ceramics1960's, afterglow, Aldo Londi, bitossi bull, bitossi ceramiche, bitossi collection, bitossi pottery, brighton, etsy, italian pottery, italy, mid century pottery, retro, rimini blu, sculptural pottery, stylised bull, yellowafterglowretro One comment

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!