Ophir Gallery Inc.

A Mid 20th Century Monumental and Extremely Rare Vintage "Equestrian Boot" Umbrella Holder by, Italian Luxury Brand Gucci. The boot is decorated with Gucci's classic interlocking g's on canvas and further with leather accents, laces front buckle and and finishing with a bras spur. The umbrella stand retains its all original brass liner. There are very few of these examples in existence as these were solely produced for a few of the Flagship Gucci Stores and were not never released nor produced for the retail market making this an extremely rare piece of authentic vintage Gucci.  circa 1970s. Signature: The boot is signed on the leather strap "Gucci Italy" Measurements:  height: 25.25 in x width: 18 in. x depth: 18 in. Condition: The umbrella stand is in very good condition. Showing no major damage to it. There is some scuffing to the leather on the heel where the spur is located. Some staining to the front of the boot but really adds to the charm of the natural patina from age. The leather is sound throughout as well as the canvas which has minimal glue staining at the seams. The spur is intact and spins freely. The original brass liner is in good condition with some denting from use. It is free from repairs and is in its original condition. References: For a similar and smaller example see: Sotheby's New York - Important 20th Century Design - June 8th, 2005 - lot 12 Notes: Gucci Museo in Florence, Italy currently does not have this example in their collection. The Gucci Equestrian Boot Umbrella Holder was exclusively made for GUCCI retail stores only and were never made for the retail market. This is the second example we have owned and can and very few of these ever make it to market. Biography: Inspired by his experience as a porter at The Savoy hotel in London, Guccio Gucci established his eponymous artisanal luggage atelier in 1921 on Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence. His vision combined exceptional Tuscan materials and craftsmanship with the elegant English aesthetic. These early years established the brand's origins in the world of travel and exploration, which have remained intrinsically linked to Gucci's heritage. The late 1930s saw the introduction of canvas into the offering to provide enhanced durability. The Diamante fabric emerged and became one of the first distinctive elements of the House with its emblematic diamond motif. This was a precursor of the GG monogram canvas still featured today on a selection of bags. A need for creativity and resourcefulness in the 1940s led to the development of enduring House codes. Amid Italy’s post-war era when traditional raw materials were in short supply, a visionary Guccio Gucci turned to the lightweight and durable bamboo in 1947. Through innovative craft techniques, Guccio and his Florentine artisans created the Bamboo bag, the predecessor to the House’s iconic Bamboo 1947 handbag. 1953 was a pivotal year for the House, marking Gucci’s expansion outside of Italy with its first store in New York City. This was also when it introduced footwear, most notably the Horsebit 1953 loafer defined by an equestrian accoutrement that Gucci began using earlier in the decade to evoke the life and style that surrounded horseback riding. The emblem was continuously reinterpreted, with the Horsebit 1955 bag referring to the year its specific version of the hardware appeared in Gucci's collections. Back in Florence in 1953, the House purchased the historic Palazzo Settimanni as the site for its growing artisanal production in the heart of the city. As Gucci continued to grow rapidly, the brand's influence spread to an international clientele of jet setters, Hollywood stars, dignitaries, and socialites. Signature products and prints emerging during this period included the predecessor to the Jackie 1961 bag...

An extremely rare and monumental pair of Decorated Six Light “Lily” wall sconces by, Tiffany Studios. Each sconce is finished in its original gilt bronze finish and each sconce furt...

A Monumental Austrian Art Nouveau Amphora "Pine Cone" Ceramic Vase decorated with applied pine cone decoration against Green Blue Matte glaze and further enameled gilt. The vase is...

An iconic and rare Italian Mid-Century Modern art glass "Pulcino" bird designed by, Alessandro Pianon for Vetreria Vistosi. The pulcino is on raised copper feet and decorated with ap...

An Italian Mid Century Modern Murano jewelry square casket trinket box by, A. Mandruzzato circa 1960s'. The box is cased in heavy clear glass with bla...

An Italian Mid Century Modern Murano green & yellow "Sommerso" jewelry square casket trinket box attributed to Mandruzzato. The box is cased in heavy clear glass with yellow and gre...

A fine Italian Mid Century Modern glass "Mezza Filigrana" picture frame designed by, Carlo Scarpa for Venini. The frame is internally decorated with pink lattice decoration and furth...

An American Studio Craft woven glass handkerchief sculptural form by, Carole Perry made up of thousands of woven individual glass threads of varying color...

An extremely rare French Art Deco enameled laid on copper and wrought iron decorated vase by, Camille Fauré. The vase is decorated with an enameled geometric design in colors of blue, black, and white further set into a decorated hand forged wrought iron mount. The vase is signed "C.FAURÉ.LIMOGES". - circa 1940s' Measurements: height: 13.5 in. x width: 5 in. x diameter: 5.25 in. Biography: Camille Faurè produced designs for Limoges, long famed for its enamels Born in Perigueux in 1872, he spent a long apprenticeship before setting up his own workshop at Limoges, where he worked for over fifty years. Fauré became Limoges most famous and talented enamel artist. He exhibited in the 1925 International Exhibition in Paris that gave name to Art Deco. His early work, like his Post World War II designs, involved large floral patterns, often in rich colors keeping in line with the Art Nouveau movement. He exhibited through his Paris shop...

A Late 20th Century American Crystal Caterpillar Designed by Peter Yenawine, for Steuben Glass depicting an inching caterpillar with outstretched antennas and applied eyes gives a re...

An American Art Nouveau gilt bronze and mosaic inlaid TIffany Favrile "Swirl Paperweight" by, Tiffany Studios decorated with an organic swirl pattern...

An Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau cast and gilt bronze Cigar Cutter by, Tiffany Studios decorated in an aztec like pattern and finished in its original gold doré finish. The...