20TH CENTURY DESIGN

This is a particularly fine and polished symmetrical example of a rare 19th century Coco de Mer Shell. A complete coco de mer the perfect object to place in your Wunderkammer or cabi...

A rarely seen example of a Fase desk lamp Modelos patentados made in Madrid Spain. Influenced in its design aesthetic from the space age of the 1960’s, ...

Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. P...

A rarely seen example of a Fase desk lamp Modelos patentados made in Madrid Spain. Influenced in its design aesthetic from the space age of the 1960’s, ...

A large ashtray shell like in it’s design, and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Designed by Gunnar Nylund, (Swedish, 1914-1997). Signed by this highly collectible designer. In g...

A large ashtray table produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Designed by Gunnar Nylund, (Swedish, 1914-1997). Signed by this highly collectible designer. In good condition, with no cr...

Creating a wonderful display for Oysters or sea food this French Majolica oyster plate in lustrous deep colouring, but the well thought of maker Sarreguemines...

A wonderful and skilfully executed piece of Swedish Folk Art. In 1925 readers of the Swedish family magazine Allérs familj-journal, would have found instructions for building this im...

This rare table lamp was designed by Vico Magistretti for the Italian manufacture Artemide during the 1960s, it is one of 2 that we currently have in stock. The lamp is made from one main piece of white plastic. Dalù is one a wonderful expression of Magistretti’s design ethos and reflects his belief that beauty and everyday functionality should be equally important in the object. Vico Magistretti was born in Milan. He attended Parini High School before he enrolled in the Regio Politecnico Faculty of Architecture in Milan in the fall of 1939. In 1943-1944 he moved to Switzerland, where he attended several academic courses at the Champ Universitarie Italien in Lausanne. It was then that he spent time with Ernesto Nathan Rogers, who had a key influence on his intellectual education. In 1945 he returned to Milan, where he graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the Polytechnic University. He immediately started working for his father's company, the architect Piergiulio Magistretti, in via Conservatorio. The 1950s were a very busy and fruitful period for the young architect, who came up with many innovative ideas and very quickly became one of the most outstanding representatives of the third generation. Over the next few years he worked as a designer as well as an architect, creating furniture and objects that will always be classics of contemporary production. It was then that he was awarded the Golden Compass for the Eclisse lamp (1967).He then started working with important companies such as Artemide, Campeggi, Cassina, De Padova, Flou, Fontana Arte, Fritz Hansen, Kartell, Olivari, Oluce, Poggi, Schiffini Mobili Cucine and Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. His design works are in the permanent collection of MoMA - Museum of Modern Art in New York and in many other museums in America and Europe. In the field of architecture, it is worth mentioning his nomination as an honorary member of the Royal College of Art in London, where he was also a visiting professor. He also participated in exhibitions and conferences in Europe, Japan and the USA. Established in the 1960s, Artemide is one of the most famous lighting brands in the world. Known for its philosophy, The Human Light...

Study for a man seated sculpture Michael Kenny RA Original Artist: Michael Kenny RA (1941-1999) Chalk numbers on verso Born in Liverpool 1941, he son of an engineer. Studied at Liverpool art school, alongside Stuart Sutcliffe (an early Beatle) and John Lennon. He then went onto Slade in 1961 to study under Reg Butler, who nicknamed his protege "the Liverpool Italian". His distinguished career began when exhibited in Oxford in 1964. Michael was one of the most influential British sculptors of his generation and his contemplative geometric stone works became increasingly well regarded. He was elected associate member of the Royal Academy in 1976 and a Royal Academician in 1986. Today his work is held in museums all over the world including the British Museum, The Tate Gallery and the V&A in London. He has had solo shows in Germany, Sweden, Milan, Paris, Los Angeles, London, Japan and Dubai. Subsequently many corporations and private collectors throughout the world hold examples of his work. On Michael Kenny's gravestone in Highgate cemetery is the title of one of his sculptures, More Loved Than Known. The legend has been prophetic. He has a passionate following among the thousands of students he taught, who include Antony Gormley and Damien Hurst. Michael Kenny: Sculpture & Drawings This was an exhibition of Michael Kenny’s recent sculptures and drawings, from 1975 to 1977. Kenny (1941-1999) first studied in his home city of Liverpool before moving to London to continue his studies at the Slade. Following a successful international career, he was appointed a Royal Academician in 1986, and in 1997, two years before his death, he had a solo exhibition at the Royal Academy. Several of the sculptures in this Serpentine exhibition derived from his earliest pre-occupation, the human figure. In the works displayed, Kenny took particular inspiration from the female figure, lying or sitting, occupying, and informing an intimate space. We can see the workings of the Artist and possible preparatory sketch for the included sculpture in the following images. Michael Kenny was a sculptor and a painter, a prolific draughtsman and a print-maker. His early sculptures are dramatic, dealing with the isolation and loneliness of the individual. In later years, he worked mainly in stone in a quest for a sculpture that is simple in form and rich in meaning. With over 60 illustrations and key excerpts from the sculptor's own notebooks, this book provides the first opportunity to examine in detail the progress of Michael Kenny's career. Peter Davies...

Creating a wonderful display for Oysters or sea food this French Majolica oyster plate in lustrous deep colouring, by the well thought of maker Sarreguemines, circa 1890. Six scallop...

The high back lounge chair ‘Marcello’ was inspired by stylish Italian design from the 1950s and is now created by English craftsman for the 21st cent...