What will 2025, the Lunar or Chinese New Year of the Snake bring. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Snake is wise, charming, calm, introspective and graceful. In contrast, the popular western view of snakes is of cunning, sleek and deceitful creatures – smooth operators, not to be trusted! Unfortunately, the latter description brings to … More Year of the Snake
Egyptian Revival Brooch by the Napier Company Some years ago I unearthed this gold-washed brooch in one of my favourite hunting grounds. Although this didn’t require months of hot, dusty toil in the desert, it did involve hours of concentrated effort searching the hidden corners of the online treasure chamber, which is eBay. I remembered … More Digging for Treasure
I love this brooch by Kordes & Lichtenfels of Pforzheim, Germany – modernist, industrial design with a touch of luxury. The glitter of gold contrasts with the textured surface of the concave circle. It looks quite futuristic although it was actually created in the 1950/1960s. Ref: RJ136
Actually a Norwegian leaf, from well known silversmiths David Andersen, (D-A). Originally founded in Oslo in 1876, succeeding generations of the Andersen family developed the company and employed many talented designers, goldsmiths and silversmiths over the years. This lovely example of midcentury design was created by Willie Winnaess during the 1950s. Gold washed sterling silver … More Norwegian Wood…
Lively, modernist bangle or bracelet, probably a studio piece from the 1960s/1970s. When I first saw this piece it was upside down, so looked quite abstract and then I turned it the other way up and surprisingly the dancing figures appeared! Perhaps inspired by tribal art it seems to embody the spirit of dance. http://www.retromode.co.uk
Danish goldsmith Poul Warmind created the ‘Lunar’ cufflinks around the time of the manned moon landings in the late 60s and early 70s. I’m not sure why I chose to post these particular cufflinks from my collection, perhaps I had space travel in mind after seeing Gravity which was an amazing film and convincing portrayal … More Moon Musings
Personal Musings and Thought Experiments
fine stationery & artists' supplies
art and photography
independence - self-determination - autonomy
mostly painting
Reflections on Canadian Culture From Below the Border
featuring West German art pottery, Fat Lava and more 20th century ceramics
collecting retro
Purveyors of Bijouterie, and Beautiful Bits and Bobs.
the intersection of graphic design + picture books
Retromode 