modernist

Studio Laurana Rame D’ Arte enamelled copper wall clock, made in Italy circa 1960’s

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IMG_3316This is a beautiful Studio Laurana Rame D’ Arte enamelled copper wall clock, made in Italy circa 1960’s.

A fantastic design from this ‘copper art’ studio founded by Franco Bastianelli in Pesaro, Italy in 1958.

Stunning Italian modernist / brutalist style very reminiscent of the work of Curtis Jere and Marcello Fantoni during the mid century era.

The clock face is made of copper, with indentations and holes roughly hewn around the rim, embellished with shimmering fiery multicoloured enamelled glazes. In the middle are raised glassy droplets to roughly mark the time.

Fitted with a very reliable German Kienzle movement and lovely period brass hands.

Would make a prefect addition for any mid century, modernist, brutalist, 1950’s, 1960’s, vintage, retro or contemporary interior as a practical piece of wall art!

In excellent condition, a little crazing to the thick enamel as is common with these pieces, nothing to detract on display. In fully working order, keeping good time, takes one size C. 1.5V battery not included.

Measures 30 x 30 x 5.5cm / 12 x 12 x 2.25in.

Hand signed to the back with the artists name (indistinct) and partially under the mechanism.

Smalandshyttan blue art glass vase, designed by Josef Schott, Sweden circa 1960’s

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This is a stunning Smalandshyttan art glass vase, designed by Josef Schott, Sweden circa 1960’s.

A fantastic space age design by one of the smaller lesser known glass factories in the province of Smaland, the glassmaking centre of Sweden. In operation from 1947-76, Czech born Schott was their head designer.
This vase is typical of his 1960’s output, with the complex moulded abstract geometric design. The relief pattern is different on all 4 sides and the raised forms and the thick indigo blue cased sommerso glass catch the light beautifully.

Resembling a Modernist building or spaceship, very reminiscent of the mid century era, cutting edge Scandinavian design that still looks fresh and futuristic now!

A great piece of Scandinavian art glass that makes a sculptural statement piece in its own right, sculptural and imposing, also perfect as a practical vase, or as a desk accessory.

A perfect addition to any collection of Scandinavian / Swedish art glass, and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, 60’s, space age, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In excellent condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 12.5 x 11 x 7cm / 5 x 4.5 x 2.75in. This is a chunky heavy piece of glass weighing 1.2kg.

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

Gebruder Conradt ‘Venezia’ plate, 1950’s West German pottery

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This is a stunning mid century plate / bowl / dish in the ‘Venezia’ decor by Walther Conradt for Gebruder Conradt, West Germany circa 1950’s, form no. ’15/2′.

A fantastic design, a shallow bowl / plate with a sloping sides and a rough ovoid shape. With a very graphic decor ‘Venezia’ that is so reminiscent of the 1950’s era. A glossy black base is hand decorated with deep incised lines and filled in with vivid glossy colours in red, yellow and turquoise, geometric, abstract and reflecting trends in Modern art and design in the 1950’s. The underneath is also glossily glazed in turquoise blue.

A wonderful rare piece by this smaller lesser known art pottery.

Perfect as a decorative display piece, as part of a grouping or to use on a desk, coffee / side table, sideboard or mantelpiece as a trinket / jewellery / pin dish, desk tidy, paperweight etc.

Would make a great addition to any collection of West German / studio / art pottery and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, minimalist or contemporary styled interior.

In great condition, no chips or cracks, there is some wear and light scratches to the glossy glazes in the bowl, and a couple of flakes of missing glaze on the rim, reflected in the price, and still displays well.

Measures 22 x 17 x 3.5cm / 8.75 x 6.75 x 1.5in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1JlIY3C

Guido Gambone geometric lidded pottery box, Italy circa 1950’s

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This is a stunning and rare lidded ceramic box by Guido Gambone, Italy circa early 1950’s.

A beautiful piece by one of the greatest ceramic artists of the mid-20th century, showcasing his trademark style. Earthy glazes in brown, green and oatmeal tones are applied masterfully in thick layers, rough and shimmering from added sand and glass, giving an archaic primordial feel.

Lovely decor with the geometric pattern continuing and matching over the lid and sides of the box, the box has a simple rectangular lidded form, perfect for display or use on a desk, side table, mantelpiece etc.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Gambone / Italian / art pottery, 20th century art / design and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, minimalist or contemporary styled interior.

Measures 14 x 10 x 8.5cm / 5.5 x 4 x 3.5in

Hand signed to the base with the hallmark painted donkey motif.

In excellent condition, the exterior and interior of the box is all perfect, the inner rim of the lid has a few glaze flakes and a couple of chips on the very inner rim, not noticeable and do not detract.

More photos are available on request, please enquire if you have any questions.

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Bernard Rooke handbuilt stoneware studio pottery vase, 1960’s / 70’s, England

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This is a stunning stoneware studio pottery vase, by Bernard Rooke, England circa 1960’s / 70’s.

A wonderful handbuilt sculptural stoneware vase from this renowned potter. Either from his early pottery in London where he worked with Alan Wallwork or late 1960’s / early 1970’s when he was based in Swilland, Suffolk. A graduate of Goldsmiths College, he was also a lecturer there and at London University. His work was sculptural and handbuilt using coils and blocks, with organic natural earth tones and impressed, relief and carved abstract motifs.

This bulbous vase has a chunky cylindrical central section, with a small neck and a circular opening, which shows the hand made nature of construction with crimps and folds visible.

The sides have carved / impressed motifs of interlocking cogs / cartwheels, a stylised modernist brutalist feel, so reminiscent of the era. These are glazed in a rough matte reddish terracotta colour, against a backdrop of greys and browns with an ancient and mottled burnt appearance.

Has the ‘Rooke’ impressed mark to the top of one side.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Bernard Rooke ceramics, British / European studio pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1960’s, 1970’s, mid century, modernist, brutalist, minimalist or contemporary interior.

In excellent condition, no cracks or chips.

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

I have lots more retro, vintage and collectable items in my shop, take a look around, I will always combine shipping when possible! http://etsy.me/1Kvcs3t

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

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

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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!

Malcolm Moran bronze figures / vignette, California, 1972

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

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

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

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