mid century modern

Danish Teak mid-century modern Viking bottle opener, circa 1960’s

July 4, 2013Collectables1960's, bojensen, bottle opener, danish modern, danish teak, danish viking, hans bolling, mid century modern, nordic, retro, Scandinavian, teak viking, viking bottle opener, viking figure, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful Danish Teak mid-century modern style Viking bottle opener, circa 1960’s.

A Fabulous Scandinavian collectable, the head removes to reveal a bottle opener. Great design details, from the horns on helmet, the real fur beard, a wood button nose, beaded eyes and black leather ears. Great twisted rope arms, one has an attached shield with a brass cap, the other holding a brass and teak spear.

A Stunning piece, not marked, but undeniably Danish Modern in style, possibly by Hans Bolling / Kay Bojesen who produced very similar designs, and is so reminiscent of the era, the wood has lovely patination to match its age.

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 Lovely Condition, some light tarnish, fraying etc, but only adds to the character and history of this vintage piece. The end of the spear is rough but this is common with other similar items so must be part of the design.

Measures 21 x 10 x 6cm / 8.25 x 4 x 2.5in.

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

April 4, 2013Clocks1950's, antique, art deco, brighton antique, brighton retro, german clock, home decor, Kienzle, kienzle clock, mid century modern, nautical clock, retro, rope, ships clock, vintage, woodafterglowretro Leave a comment

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.

Bitossi Ceramic ‘Rimini Blu’ vase, designed by Aldo Londi, Italy circa 1960’s

March 24, 2013CeramicsAldo Londi, art, baluster vase, Bitossi, design, italian pottery, mediterranean pottery, mid century modern, retro style, rimini blu, urn, vintage decorafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful Bitossi Ceramic ‘Rimini Blu’ vase, Italy circa early 1960’s.

A Great Unusual design, the baluster / urn shape, with a bulbous body and squared flared rim, is inspired by ancient Mediterranean pottery. Made of clay with crushed granules to give a rough texture, the texture and glazes indicate this is an earlier example.

A Fabulous piece designed by Aldo Londi, in the iconic ‘Rimini Blu’ glaze with blue and turquoise glazes resembling the Mediterranean Sea. 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.

A Wonderful vase from one of the greatest designers and ceramicists of the 20th century that
would make a Fantastic practical vase or display piece, and would look great in any 50’s, 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 Great Condition, a chip to the glaze on the rim and a few very small flakes of missing glaze on the impressed motifs, common with the textured form and glaze on these pieces. Nothing to detract.

Not marked to the base, as is common with these pieces. Many just had the exporters / retailers paper labels.

Measures 20 x 14 x 14cm / 8 x 5.5 x 5.5in.

Italian Sgraffito pottery vase / jug with deer motif, made by Fratelli Fanciullacci circa 1960’s

March 17, 2013Ceramicsalla moda, antique, art, brighton, collectible, deer, italian pottery, italian retro, jug, mid century modern, orange grey, pottery vase, retro design, sgraffito potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful pottery jug / handled vase, made by Fratelli Fanciullacci, Italy circa late 1950’s / 60’s.

A Stunning form and decor, the tapered body has a great angled rim and angular handle, very reminiscent of the era.
The glossy white spray-glaze has a mottled texture, and has been decorated using the sgraffito technique with motifs of deer and leaves, with bright bands of glossy orange glaze.

This form and decor can be seen on p.113 / 115 of Mark Hill’s ‘Alla Moda’ Italian Ceramics book.

Would make a great addition to any collection of Italian, European or Mid Century pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1950’s, 60’s, mid century, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Hand painted mark to the base 7437 Italy.

Measures 19.5 x 12 x 9.5cm / 7.75 x 4.75 x 3.75in.

Vintage red Hoptimist Bimble, designed by Hans Gustav Ehrenreich, Denmark circa 1969

March 12, 2013Collectables1960's, 1969, bimble, danish, danish design, danish modern, desk toy, hoptimist, mid century modern, pop art, red, retro, space age, spring toy, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Great Vintage Original Hoptimist Bimble toy, designed by Hans Gustav Ehrenreich, Denmark circa 1969.

A Classic of Danish Modern design from the 1960’s, the Hoptimist range comprised of cute Space Age / Pop Art styled figures with round heads and springs for bodies. The Bimble Hoptimist has a bright red plastic head and minimal detailing just a round ball nose and painted graphic eyes, one winking. With its metal spring body and standing on elliptical metal feet it exemplifies pared down Danish Modern design.

Its name is suggestive of its spring form, which bobs and nods when moved and of the optimistic times of the late Sixties, it definitely has a sense of fun and a quirky nature.

An Iconic Nordic design that would look great on any desk or as a toy for kids or grown ups alike! Would make a great addition to any collection of Danish design and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century modern, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Great Condition still bobs away on its spring, some marks and wear to the paint, especially on the spring, could be repainted if wanted. There is a small hole in the top of the head that probably had an attachment originally, nothing to detract from the great vintage look!

Measures 13 x 9 x 9cm / 5.25 x 3.5 x 3.5in.

Miniature Italian pottery jug / vase, with Giraffe and Cockerel, made in Deruta, Italy circa 1960’s.

March 5, 2013Ceramics1950's, alla moda, antique, brighton, cockerel, collectable, deruta, design, giraffe, italian ceramics, italian pottery, italy, jug, mid century, mid century modern, retro, tube lined, Vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful miniature Italian pottery jug / vase / collectable, made in Deruta, Italy circa 1960’s.

A Wonderful cute and unusual example of Italian Mid Century ceramics, this tiny decorative jug has a lovely exaggerated form, the stone colored body has a pale blue handle. It is ornately / kitschly decorated with images of a flower, leaf, cockerel and a giraffe! With a final zig zagged icing of a white tube lined glaze!

Deruta is a town in the Umbria region of Italy, with many small studio potteries that produced pieces in this style, characterised by reddish clay, matte glazes, stylised drawings and white tube lined detailing.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Italian / European / Mid Century pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 50’s / 60’s, kitsch, shabby chic interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches. Handpainted / marked to the base ITALY 3509 .

Measures 9 x 7 x 7cm / 3.5 x 2.75 x 2.75in.

Walter Bosse brass Giraffe ‘Black-Golden Line’ figure, made by Baller, Austria circa 1950’s

March 1, 2013Collectables50's, afterglow retro, baller austria, black golden line, brass figure, brighton, giraffe, home decor, mid century modern, retro collectable, retro design, vintage, walter bosseafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Lovely Walter Bosse brass Giraffe figure, made by Baller, Austria circa 1950’s / 60’s.

A Classic design of the mid century modern era, the simple stylised cartoon like form of a Giraffe, designed by Walter Bosse a master craftsman and designer of animal figures, during the golden age of Vienna bronzes.

From the ‘Black-Golden Line’ series, the miniature brass figurines were given a black finish with polished areas using the ‘Patination’ technique.

Would make a Great additon to any collection of Walter Bosse / Baller / Animal / Brass figures. Perfect as a desk accessory / paperweight, or to decorate any vintage sideboard / mantelpiece or coffee table.

Vintage Condition, the black patination is very worn, could be stripped to the brass, or repainted.

Measures 9 x 9 x 4cm / 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.5in

AVeM Murano ‘Tutti Frutti’ scroll bowl, Venice, Italy circa 1950’s

February 26, 2013Glass1950's, afterglow retro, art glass, avem murano, brighton antique, brighton retro, mid century modern, murano glass, retro design, tutti frutti, venice italy, vintage styleafterglowretro One comment

This is a Beautiful AVeM Murano (Arte Vetraria Muranese) red glass ‘Tutti Frutti’ scroll bowl / dish, Venice, Italy circa 1950’s.
A Stunning piece that displays the master craftsmanship and artistry of Murano’s glassblowers.
The exquisite myriad of glasswork includes silver leaf, Zanfirico lattice filigree, twisted ribbon canes, and copper Aventurine. All set in a random form in clear glass, the outer being a rich red glass, which creates a lovely stunning background to the intricate craftsmanship.

Catches the light beautifully through the myriad techniques and colours, the undulating amorphous form looks different from every angle, beautifully curved and organic.

Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of Murano, European Art glass, and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, Hollywood regency, fifties, sixties, minimal or contemporary interior.

Measures 18 x 17.5 x 7cm / 7 x 6.75 x 2.75in. Weighing almost 1.5kg!

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches, the usual age related wear on the base, not visible on display.

Helene Ugo ceramic wall plaque, decor by Michel Barbier, Vallauris, France circa 1957

February 7, 2013Ceramics, Collectables1950's, 1957, art, art pottery, brighton, ceramic, ceramic artists, cubist, design, france, helene ugo, michel barbier, mid century modern, picasso, pottery, retro, vallauris, vintageafterglowretro One comment

This is a Beautiful ceramic wall plaque, produced in Vallauris, France circa 1957 by the Helene Ugo Pottery, decor by Michel Barbier.

A Stunning Mid Century Modernist piece of Abstract / Picasso inspired French Art Pottery. Hand incised and painted pattern in a delightful bold Cubist design, with matte black and yellow glazes with a lovely smooth pumice / pebble feel and texture.

Vallauris is a pottery region in south-eastern France, Picasso lived here from 1948 – 55 and greatly contributed to the renaissance of the pottery industry, this legendary golden age when everyone was a potter, including famous ceramicists Roger Capron and Charles Voltz. His influence is clearly seen in the abstracted forms of pieces such as this plaque.

Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of European / French / Studio / Art Pottery and is a perfect Bright statement piece to decorate any wall in a retro, vintage, mid century modern, 50’s, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Very Good Condition, one small bruise to the glaze on one corner, and some marks to the white glaze on sides and rear so do not detract from the overall look.

Measures 32 x 22 x 1.6cm / 12.5 x 8.75 x 0.6in.

Stamped (indistinct) to the back with Made in France and Helene Ugo Vallauris, hand signed in black paint Vallauris and M?D.