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Exotic 1970s Deco Revival Frog Skin box

$600
£446.30
€522.53
CA$837.20
A$936.85
CHF 489.18
MX$11,517.65
NOK 6,171.59
SEK 5,807.43
DKK 3,898.46
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About the Item

A rare and stylish tabletop box clad in genuine frog skin leather, crafted in the Philippines in the late 1970s, when the use of exotic materials surged in response to a growing global appetite for luxurious, unconventional design. This piece embodies the bold sophistication championed by influential designers such as Karl Springer, who redefined modern glamour through meticulous craftsmanship and the innovative use of rare natural textures. The leather—referred to as “frog skin”—was sourced from the cane toad, a species whose population boomed in Southeast Asia during the period. In local terminology, these toads were often called “bullfrogs,” and their striking, naturally pebbled hides were transformed into distinctive veneers for boxes, trays, and decorative furnishings. This object is also part of the broader Art Deco revival that swept through the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly in major urban centers like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. As postwar affluence gave rise to a new class of design-conscious collectors, there was renewed interest in the geometry, glamor, and exoticism of 1920s and '30s design. Designers and artisans merged traditional handcraft techniques with the glitzy materials and stylized forms of the Deco period—shagreen, lacquer, horn, parchment, and exotic skins—ushering in an era of high-end studio-made design that blurred the lines between furniture, art, and sculpture. This box, with its rich texture, clean lines, and sculptural form, is a perfect example of that moment—a time when craft, luxury, and urban modernism came together in a fresh and indulgent way.
  • Similar to:
    Karl Springer (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)Depth: 10 in (25.4 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Hide,Leather,Appliqué,Veneer
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1970s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Everything is sturdy and structurally sound, a few edges look slightly raised but that's normal for being nearly 50 years old.
  • Seller Location:
    Kilmarnock, VA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU883043763142

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