vintage

Pair of Lucite Paperweights with Underwater Seascenes, circa 1960′s

July 15, 2013Collectables1950's, 1960's, afterglow retro, aquarium, atomic era, brighton, holiday, kitsch decor, lucite, lucite paperweight, mid century modern, Paperweight, resin, retro, summer, underwater scene, vintage, vintage summerafterglowretro Leave a comment

These are a really Stunning Pair of coloured Lucite (resin) paperweights, circa 1950’s / 1960’s. Country of origin is unknown but very much in the American Mid Century Modern style.

Great pieces with their Atomic-era style abstract forms, displaying underwater Sea scenes complete with shells, fish, plants and Starfish.
All encased in a blue / yellow / green colour resin block with the backs textured like rippled water, which catches the light beautifully and glows amazingly due to the form and colour.

A Striking and unusual pair that could be used as paperweights, bookends, desk ornaments, centrepieces or just to admire on display.

Really reminiscent of the 50’s / 60’s Atomic Mid-Century Modern Era using new materials with exciting new forms! Would be fantastic in a retro, vintage, or even contemporary or minimal interior due to their bold striking form and colour!

In Great Condition, the large one is Excellent. The smaller one has a few light surface scratches, not noticeable on display and doesn’t detract from the overall look and effect. The usual age related wear on the bases.

Measuring: Larger 19 x 12 x 5cm / 7.5 x 4.75 x 2in.
Smaller 15 x 10 x 5.5cm / 6 x 4 x 2.25in.

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.

Freeform art glass bowl, Skrdlovice Glassworks, Czechoslovakia circa mid 1960’s

June 16, 2013Glass1960's, afterglow retro, art glass, atlas, bohemian glass, brighton, czech glass, hi sklo lo sklo, jan beranek, mid century, modernist, retro, skrdlovice, space age, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning large art glass bowl, made by the Skrdlovice Glassworks, Czechoslovakia circa mid 1960’s.

A Fantastic large sculptural freeform organic design by Jan Beranek in 1964-65, possibly part of the ‘Atlas’ range.

The thick walled handmade blown cased glass in amber and green wonderfully curves and swirls, and features pulled lobes and fins.

Displays the master craftsmanship of the glassblowers at Skrdlovice, using traditional techniques such as those from Murano in new exciting innovative futuristic ways.

Would be perfect as a table centrepiece, large bowl or jardiniere, a stunning sculptural statement piece. Similar examples can be seen in Mark Hill’s book ‘Hi Sklo Lo Sklo’.

Perfect as an addition to any collection of Czech / Sklo / Bohemian Art Glass, and would complement any retro, vintage, 60’s, 70’s, modernist, mid century, space age, minimal or contemporary styled interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches, other than the usual age related wear to the base, doesnt detract on display.

Measures 29 x 17 x 8cm / 11.5 x 6.75 x 3.25in.

Vintage Starburst / Sunburst decorative wall clock by Seth Thomas, Scotland circa 1960’s

June 12, 2013Clocks1960's, afterglow, brighton, decorative clock, leaf motif, mid century, retro, seth thomas, starburst clock, sunburst clock, vintage, Wall Clock, wrought ironafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Great Vintage Starburst / Sunburst decorative wall clock by Seth Thomas, Scotland circa 1960’s.

A Fantastic unusual design by this renowned maker of high quality clocks, especially known for their large mid century teak starburst wall clocks.
This rare design is very decorative, with its black metal ‘rays’ elegantly curved and looped at the ends. Embellished with leaves in a burnished copper / gold effect. The face has large printed Roman numerals and an ornate patterned line drawing in the centre.
Very bold, striking, elegant and easy to read, practical and beautiful!

Would make a Wonderful statement piece for any retro, vintage, mid century, atomic, Eames, 1950’s, 60’s, minimal or contemporary styled interior.

Fitted with a brand new Quartz mechanism and hands, battery operated with 1 x 1.5V / AA battery, not included.

In Excellent Condition, no marks or scratches. Fully Working.

Measures 55 x 55 x 4cm / 21.5 x 21.5 x 1.5in.

Iron and glass candelabra, made by Ystad Metall, Sweden circa 1960’s

June 10, 2013Furniture, Glass1960's, art glass, candelabra, candleholder, danish modern, erik hoglund, green, gunnar ander, kosta boda, mid century, modernist, retro, Scandinavian, sweden, vintage, wrought iron, ystad metallafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning candleholder / candelabra, made by Ystad Metall, Sweden circa 1960’s.

Designed by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall, the glass blocks were made by Kosta Boda, their style and the whole piece are often attributed to Erik Hoglund.

A Wonderful form, very modernist and sharing attributed of Danish Modern and Scandinavian aesthetics, but inspired by Swedish folk art styles.
The black wrought iron frame has four candleholders sitting atop branches of the candelabra, all balanced on a four legged base.
The inserted blocks of thick coloured blown glass in a vibrant emerald green have a polished pontil like surface texture. Very much in the style of the renowned pieces by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda during this era.

Would look Fantastic in any mid century, modernist, Scandinavian, Danish Modern, 50’s, 60’s, retro, vintage, minimal or contemporary styled interior.

In Excellent Condition, some light scratches inside the candle wells from use, not visible on display. One of the arms has a slight bend which must be from production.

Measures 32.5 x 27 x 15cm / 12.75 x 10.5 x 6in.

Stamped mark to one of the legs ‘Ystad Metall Made in Sweden’.

Train money box, Bertoncello Ceramiche D’Arte, Italy circa 1960’s

June 6, 2013Ceramics1960's, afterglowretro, alla moda, bertoncello, brighton, ceramics, italian, money box, orange, piggy bank, pottery, retro, steam train, train, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning Train money box / piggy bank, attributed to Bertoncello Ceramiche D’Arte, Italy circa late 1960’s / 70’s.

A Wonderful stylised form, the lovely cartoon like Locomotive / Steam train has great detailing, a slot in the top for coins and a stopper on the base.

In a fantastic Bright and Glossy orangey red glaze, with handpainted details in green, white, and fantastic blue and yellow foamy glazes, very reminiscent of the Pop Art / Flower Power / Psychedelic era! Pieces with this glaze and decor were made by the renowned Bertoncello during this period, and are scarcer than their more subdued pieces.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of money boxes, piggy banks, Italian or European pottery. Perfect appeal for a kids room, or as home decor for any 1960’s / 70’s / pop art / psychedelic / Mediterranean / minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, still has the original stopper, no chips, marks, scratches or crazing.

Measures 16.5 x 7.5 x 12cm / 6.5 x 3 x 4.75in.

The base is hand marked 014 ITALY and is made using white clay, as is characteristic for this output.

Aquarium art glass paperweight, Murano, Italy circa 1960’s

June 6, 2013Glass1960's, afterglowretro, alfredo barbini, aquarium, art glass, brighton, cenedese, kitsch, mid century, Murano, Paperweight, retro, riccardo licata, seascene, Venetian Glass, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning Aquarium / Seascene art glass paperweight, made in Murano, Venice, Italy circa 1960’s / 1970’s. Unlabelled possibly by Cenedese.

A Beautiful piece of Venetian art glass, the large clear glass paperweight has a tapered barrel like form, wonderfully smooth and rounded.
Inside is an amazing underwater seascene / aquarium with 6 fish swimming around a coral reef.
Incredibly skilled craftsmanship on display, the blue glass coral is embellished with bright colours, spirals organically and trails off into wispy vortexes.

Very similar to the renowned Cenedese aquariums blocks by Alfredo Barbini and Riccardo Licata.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Murano / Italian / European Art Glass, and would complement any retro, vintage, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, mid century, kitsch, minimalist or contemporary interior.

In Great Condition, no marks, chips or scratches other than the usual age related wear to the base, not noticeable and doesn’t detract on display.

Measures 11 x 7 x 7cm / 4.5 x 2.75 x 2.75in. Weighing approx 800 grams.

Trio of Scandinavian art glass vases, Finland circa 1970’s

June 2, 2013Glass1970's, art glass, blue, collection, finland, green, red, retro, Riihimaen Lasi Oy, Riihimaki, Scandinavian, set, tamara aladin, trio, Vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Fantastic set of 3 Scandinavian art glass vases. The green and red pieces are attributed to Tamara Aladin for Riihimaki (Riihimaen Lasi Oy) Glassworks, Finland circa early 1970’s.
The blue vase has the characteristic hooped shape found in Scandinavian glass of the era, the exact maker is unknown.

Stunning forms, the red vase is the ‘Tulppaani’ (Tulip) design, circa 1973, the coloured cased glass complements the minimal forms and subdued tones of the other two pieces beautifully.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Scandinavian / Finnish / Art glass, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1960’s, 70’s, minimalist, modernist, mid century or contemporary interior.

All in Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches, light surface age related wear to the bases, not visible on display and doesn’t detract from the overall stunning look.

Measuring: Red vase 20 x 9 x 9cm / 8 x 3.5 x 3.5in
Green vase 25 x 10 x 10cm / 10 x 4 x 4in.
Blue vase 16 x 10 x 10cm / 6.25 x 4 x 4in.

Steuler Keramik vase, 445 / 15, West Germany circa late 1960’s

May 28, 2013Ceramics1960's, 1970's, afterglow retro, brighton, cari zalloni, fat lava, keramik, orange brown, pop art, retro, space age, steuler, Vase, vintage, West German, wgpafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Great Steuler Keramik vase, West Germany circa late 1960’s / early 70’s.

A Fantastic piece of retro West German art pottery from one of the lesser known makers. Probably designed by the renowned Cari Zalloni who created space age / optical pieces for them during this period.
The vase has a squat rectangular form, rounded on all corners and with recesses to the largest sides. Topped off with a chimney-like neck and double banded rim.
The top has a lovely vibrant matte orange glaze with a pumice texture. A black tube lined ‘lava’ glaze separates this from the lower earthy organic foamy drip glazes in cream and brown, with a matte pumice effect.

A Great addition to any collection of West German / Fat Lava / European Art Pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 60’s, pop art, space age, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches. There are a few small burst bubbles of missing glaze which appear to be from production, they do not detract from the look on display.

Measures 18 x 10 x 15 cm / 7 x 4 x 6in.

The base has the Steuler mark and the form no. 445 / 15.

Vintage Florentine leather backed pottery, Italy circa 1960’s

May 23, 2013Ceramics, Collectables1960's, alla moda, Bowl, coccio, desimone, dish, fantoni, florence, florentine, italian pottery, italy, leather backed, mid century, pip rest, retro, sgraffito, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

Theses designs are typical of the ouput of the potteries in and around Florence during the mid century era, the sgraffito and highly coloured and glazed motifs resembling Marcello Fantoni’s work. All leather backed, and their small size and novelty value made them popular gifts and souvenirs and were widely exported. The pipe rest is a rare and unusual piece with its sloping curved form, the smallest bowl is signed ‘Coccio.

All 3 pieces are available over at my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/afterglowretro