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New Arrival – Heywood Wakefield Crescendo Bedroom Suite 1939-40


Heywood-Wakefield Crescendo Group in Champagne – Designed by Count Alexis de Sahknoffsky – 1939-40

Just in at The Purple Moon is this fabulous bedroom suite from Heywood-Wakefield’s Crescendo Line. These pieces were designed by industrial designer Count alexis de Sahknoffsky, a Russian immigrant who is known principally for his Streamline-style automotive designs, and were only made in the 1939-40 production year.

This solid birch set, with the original Champagne finish, includes:
C3554 Vanity
C3557 Vanity Seat
C3558 Night Stand
C3552 Five-Drawer Chest
C3550 Bed Head & Foot Board (2)


Count Alexis de Sahknoffsky’s Influence Solidified Heywood-Wakefield Emphasis on Streamlined-Modern Design.


The Crescendo Line was made only in 1939-40 Production Year.


Heywood-Wakefield C3558 Night Stand , C3552 Five-Drawer Chest and Pair of C3550 Bed Head & Foot Boards (in back).


Heywood-Wakefield C3554 Vanity, C3557 Vanity Seat and C3558 Night Stand


The Champagne Finish on Solid Birch Simply Glows!

This set is just in at The Purple Moon and can be seen in our main showroom.

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Robert E. Martens – United Carbon Man and Other Works 1938-1953

More than a decade after his death, The Purple Moon will be presenting a very rare offering of sculptures by Charleston artist and architect Robert E. Martens.

Robert E. Martens was born in Illinois in 1919 but lived most of his life in Charleston, West Virginia. Martens studied architecture at Yale University and at the Cranbrook Academy of Art under Eliel Saarinen. Martens went to work for the Charleston firm of Martens and Son Architects with his father, Walter Frederick Martens, who designed several local landmarks, including the Governor’s Mansion.

In his career, the younger Martens designed such buildings as the United Carbon Building, the original portion of the Charleston Civic Center and Alderson-Broaddus College.

His work on the United Carbon Building (now Boulevard Towers) created a landmark in Charleston where Robert Martens’ sculptures still grace the entry portico on Kanawha Boulevard – including From the Fullness of the Earth (United Carbon Man).

Martens joined his father’s firm specifically in connection with the United Carbon Building commission. At that time Robert was attending the famed Cranbrook Academy which was at the peak of its influence and creative energy. A model for the building was created by Robert at Cranbrook, under the supervision of Eliel and Eero Saarinen. The staff at Cranbrook was also involved in the design and production of furnishings for the building.

The show of Robert Martens’ sculptures at The Purple Moon from the Robert Price Collection presents works spanning the period of 1938 to 1953 and include a 1941 bronze bust of the United Carbon Man. There are also sculptures which appear to have last been shown in a one man show of the artists’ work in 1955 at Woodrum’s Department Store.

In addition to the sculptures by Martens, The Purple Moon will also present rare original photographs of the United Carbon Building by Internationally-acclaimed architectural photographer Jean St. Thomas. These photographs, taken just as the building was opened in 1941, offer a rare glimpse into the modern design sensibilities of the original interior and furnishings of this exceptional Charleston building.

The show opens with a reception at The Purple Moon on Thursday, September 17th as part of the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk from 5pm – 8pm. Music will be provided by Tofujitsu.

The Purple Moon is located at 906 Quarrier Street in Downtown Charleston and hours of operation are Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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The Glory of Ben Seibel Design


Iroquois Impromptu Frolic Pattern Coffee Server, Cup and Saucer & Plattter – Ben Seibel – 1956

American designer Ben Seibel’s eclectic and streamlined utilitarian dinnerware and household items are fun, functional and gorgeous – all qualities I’m always on the lookout for.

Seibel’s prolific period ran from the early 1950’s into the 1970’s. His Iroquois Impromptu line, shown here in Bridal White and the rare Frolic pattern,  Raymor’s Contepora line produced  by Steubenville and the Modern line by Roseville all directly competed against Russel Wright’s designs of the same period.


Iroquois Impromptu Bridal White Pattern Place Setting – Ben Seibel – 1956


Raymor Contempora Pitcher by Steubenville – Ben Seibel – circa 1950’s

The Duplex  line produced by Mikasa was introduced in the 1960’s and featured a more space-age design and bright, bold colors. I am particularly fond of the Samovars (shown below) which blend modern design with old European functionality.


Mikasa Duplex Samovars in Yellow and Pink – Ben Seibel – circa 1960’s

Also in the 1960’s Seibel designed a fabulous line of brass household items for Jenfred-Ware. The bookends and the hard-to-find cat bank shown here are highly sought by mid-century modern collectors.


Jenfred-Ware Bookends – Ben Seibel – circa 1960’s


Jenfred-Ware Cat Bank – Ben Seibel – circa 1960’s

Seibel designed for a variety of other companies as well during his career and many of his best and more scarce items are still being discovered and documented.  He’s one of designers from the mid-20th Century whose work will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

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Holiday Gift Guide – 1960’s Op Art Porcelain Vases


Porcelain Vases by Kaiser, Heinrich and Kaiser (from left to right) – W. Germany – circa 1960’s

These stunning porcelain vases are fabulous alone but look even better is small groupings. Produced by the masters of porcelain in the Bavarian region of West Germany in the 1960’s these bisque porcelain vases are typically hard-to-find in the United States.

The ones shown here are excellent examples of the Op Art and organic styles these vases are normally found in. The one on the left by Kaiser measures 12 inches tall and features a glorious bursting sun Op Art design. The center piece by Heinrich has a cabbage leave pattern and the one on the right, designed by one of the leading mid-century porcelain artists, M. Frey, for Kaiser has a spectacular cratered moon surface. All of these vases are glazed only on the inside to hold water while still retaining the outside bisque finish.

These vases usually run anywhere from $60 – $150 dollars with some designs going as high as $250. They are difficult to find in the United States however you sometimes can run across them at vintage shops and online. Most found online are being sold from Germany so shipping can be high and slow. The three shown here are currently available in our gallery.

These make wonderful gifts and you can pretty much rest assured the recipient won’t get another one like it.

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Gems from The Mountain State – Blenko Decanters


Blenko Decanters #5933, #5815 and #6212 – Designed by Wayne Husted

Anyone who has visited my home, gallery or this website knows that I am passionate about West Virginia glass, in general, and especially Blenko Glass.  Decanters especially have always been appealing to me.

The designs of Winslow Anderson (1947 -53), Wayne Husted (1952 -63)  and Joel Myers (1963-70) stand out as some of the best Blenko has ever offered and is why I chose to feature the decanters by them pictured in this post. A number of these, like Anderson’s #920 and Husted’s #5815 have been elevated to being iconic of Blenko and also of the period in which they were produced.

The tall, slender stopper to the #5933 “Perfume Bottle” decanter is one of the most beautiful and this decanter is my most recent acquisition. The CW-6 decanter in the final photo was produced for Blenko’s Williamsburg Reproduction line between 1937 and 1966.

Shimmering, sleek and modern – vintage Blenko pieces are true gems from the Mountain State of West Virginia.


Blenko Decanter #5420 – Designed by Wayne Husted


Blenko Decanters #6516 and 6629 – Designed by Joel Myers


Blenko Decanters #6947 and #6819 – Designed by Joel Myers


Blenko Decanter #920 – Designed by Winslow Anderson with a Williamsburg Reproduction Line CW-6

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Holt-Howard Cantaloupe Bowls – 1959


Set of 4 Bowls – Cantaloupe Pattern – Holt-Howard – 1959

The Holt-Howard Company of Stamford, CT was formed in 1948 by John and Robert Howard and A. Grant Holt and produced some the more whimsical household and kitchen items of the post-WWII period. Most of the ceramic items, like the set of bowls shown in the Cantaloupe pattern, were produced in Japan.

The Cantaloupe line had cups, a coffee server, cream and sugar plus a condiment set in addition to these bowls. This line is relatively scarce having been in production only in 1959.

Virtually all Holt-Howard items are marked and dated which makes collecting these pieces easy – if you can find them. In my experience good pieces, free of chips or other damage, are not frequently obtainable.

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Birth of the Space Age – Sputnik 1 – October 4, 1957


Model of Sputnik 1 – NASA

Today marks the 51st anniversary of the launching of Sputnik  1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, and the beginning of the “space age” which transformed science, culture and design in the last half of the 20th Century.

The launch and orbiting of Sputnik 1 was a great source of pride for the U.S.S.R. and served as a wake-up call to the United States which resulted in renewed focus on science education and a public investment in space exploration. While the space programs of both Super Powers provided tremendous public morale and enjoyed public support the underlying potential military applications were, in fact, the driving force behind most of so-called “space race”.

The impact of the Sputnik launch and the subsequent frenzy of space exploration certainly can’t be ignored. Virtually every aspect of life, from education to pop culture, were changed in fundamental ways. The dawning of the nuclear age a decade before and the orbiting of Sputnik and emergence of Man’s quest into space are the quintessential events which defined the last half of the 20th Century.

Certainly the influence of these events on modern design can never be denied or underestimated. Led by designers such as Verner Panton, Eero Aarnio and, later, Joe Columbo designs began to reflect what life in space might actually be like and utilized many of the new materials being developed. Boundaries became non-existent in a theoretical and in a practical sense and this was certainly evident in the designing of everything from architecture to household goods and furnishings. A significant and transforming shift occured from the “atomic design” period of the early to late 1950’s to the “space age” period of the 1960’s and early 70’s.

Design of this time period was full of hope for the future and energized by the rapid advances being made. It was a time to dream.

Now, half a century later, I wonder where those dreams have gone and if just some of that hope can ever be restored. I certainly do think we could all use some.

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LaGardo Tackett Forma Coffee Server for Schmid


Forma Coffee Server – Schmid International – LaGardo Tackett – 1958

Designer LaGardo Tackett, whose studio in California began producing wonderful architectural pottery in the early 1950’s, did the Forma line of utilitarian ware for Schmid International begining in 1958. This line was distributed in the United States by Richards Morgenthau who operated Raymor.

 This is one of the most sculptural coffee servers I have ever seen. I was fortunate enough to run upon this one on a trip into Southern West Virginia a few weeks ago.

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Mid-Century Artifact – Paradise Restaurant – Screven County, Georgia


Paradise Restaurant – C. Hamsher – 2008

While on a jaunt to visit family in Georgia last week I hit the brakes while cruising through the pecan groves on Rt. 301 in Screven County to behold this mid-century marvel. Sadly standing abandoned this wonderful retro sign and decaying building are artifacts of times past. I’d of given anything to go inside for a burger and shake.

Upon returning home I tried to track down some information on this restaurant and located a postcard which, low and behold, shows what must have been the Paradise’s original sign which must have been there in the 1950’s when the restaurant first opened.


Paradise Restaurant Postcard- circa 1960

While I love to come across places like this in my travels it also saddens me that these architectural and historic structures are going to be lost completely if they are not maintained and preserved.  As the interstate highways  took over and chains prospered at each exit the local flavor of many areas of the country has been lost. Establishments like the Paradise Restaurant flourished in the days when families packed into their car and traveled two-lane roads like Rt. 301.

I, for one, miss that time.

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Daystrom Dinette 1954


Dinette Set – Daystrom Corporation – 1954

First of all, I want this kitchen.

The Daystrom Corporation produced some of the coolest dinette sets to come out of the 1950’s. The one shown is from an advertisement for the company from 1954 when this dinette set could be yours for $155. To put this in perspective, adjusted to 2008 dollars this set cost $1242.30 according to the online consumer price index calculator of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. And this isn’t even one of their higher end models.

Daystrom produced their furnishings on both coasts with a factory in Olean, NY and a Pacific Division in Pasadena, CA. We’ve had a number of these dinette sets over the years, from a number of makers, and have found Daystrom’s design and quality to be superior. Pieces are generally marked with labels under the table and on the seat bottom of the chairs. Daystrom produced furniture into the early 1970’s.

Did I mention that I want this kitchen?

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