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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 17 – Modernism Magazine


Modernism Magazine– Deco> Midcentury> Pop> Postmodern – Quarterly

Modernism Magazine was founded and is published by David Rago owner of the United States’ premier 20th Century design auction auction house – Rago Arts and Auction Center in Lambertville, NJ.

Each issue of this fine magazine showcases the best of design from the Art Deco, mid-century modern, pop and postmodern movements. The current issue includes a fabulous article on Blenko Glass which was of particular interest to me. Every issue is a true gem for anyone with an interest in modern design, architecture and art.

This quarterly publication is one that is sure to please even the most finicky person on your Holiday gift list. At $19.95 a year it is also a real bargain! Easily available by subscribing online this gift is as convenient as it is wonderful.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 12 – McCoy Pottery Harmony Line


Harmony Line Planters & Vase – McCoy Pottery – 1961

McCoy Pottery was one of the United States’ major producers of decorative and utilitarian pottery and crockware going back to 1849. Through multiple generations and a variety of corporate names the McCoy family produced some of the most popular American pottery pieces of the 20th Century. Look through a collector’s guide to McCoy pottery and you are sure to see at least one piece that was in grandma’s kitchen or mom’s living room.

The McCoy factories in Zanesville were completely destroyed by fire in 1950. Ever resilient, the McCoy’s rebuilt and brought the most up-to-date technology to their new factory. This positioned the company to become the largest producer of pottery in the United States producing millions of pieces per year by the end of the decade.

McCoy Pottery also had a keen awareness of the changing tastes of their consumers. As modern design became more prevalent McCoy began producing more modern-influenced pieces.

One of their finest was the Harmony Line first introduced in 1961. With flowing, almost free-form, lines and a sculptural minimalist design these pieces are one of the finest lines made by McCoy in the modern era.


Harmony Line Planter & Vase – McCoy Pottery – 1961

The color pallete of the glazes used by McCoy for this line – turquoise, burnt orange, yellow and ivory – also reflected the colors being used in modern interior designs of the period.

The Harmony Line stands today as one of the best examples of the adaptation of modern design by a more traditional producer of goods during the mid-20th Century. It is the classic example of modern meeting mainstream.

Pottery pieces from this line are relatively easy to obtain and are quite affordable.  Most pieces are in $25 – $50 range. As with all pottery, inspect carefully for chips, cracks and crazing. McCoy Pottery does often have some very minor glaze pops and other imperfections which, unless serious, does not impact the value of the piece.

Vases and planters from the Harmony Line will make a great gift for friends, family and co-workers. Elegant, modern and affordable – the perfect gift!

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 9 – Atomic Ranch Magazine


Midcentury Marvels are examined in every issue of Atomic Ranch

Four times a year I am really excited to pick-up the mail. Those days are when the quarterly Atomic Ranch magazine arrives. I can hardly wait to get home and check out the great homes, fabulous designs, vintage furnishings and accessories featured in each issue.

Atomic Ranch is the magazine for serious collectors of mid-century modern American design and especially for those people working to restore a mid-century house to its original splendor. This magazine features real people in real homes with interior design that is possible and even affordable to the average home-owner.

For that hard-to-buy-for person on your Holiday list a subscription to Atomic Ranch may be just the trick. At $19.95 annually it is a real bargain and will bring a reminder throughout the year of how thoughtful their stylish friend was for giving this to them.

Gift subscriptions are available online here.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 1 – Mid-Century Italian Pottery


Vase and Ashtray Set– Raymor by Alvino Bagni – Italy – circa 1962

Over the coming month I will be posting ideas for unique, vintage Holiday gifts that are sure to make the recipient dance for joy.

Gifting vintage items is a great way to show that someone special that they are indeed special. The fact that you took the time to explore for just the right gift instead of grabbing an item off the shelf at the local big-box store will show the care you really have for the person receiving the gift.

We start our virtual shopping tour with some of the classic pottery coming out of the mid-2oth Century from Italy. World renowned for the quality of the pottery, the artful execution by the craftsmen and the modernist edge of the designers, Italian pottery is highly sought after by collectors and decorators.

The vase and ashtray set above was designed by Alvino Bagni for Raymor and dates to the early 1960’s. Featuring wonderful, organic shape and tremendous color these pieces make a bold statement as an accent in any room. The vase stands 13 inches tall and the ashtray is 9-1/2 inches in diameter.


Quail Coin Bank– Marcello Fantoni (attributed) – Italy – circa 1955


Caveman & Woman Vase– Marcello Fantoni – Italy – 1957

A true pottery artist, Marcello Fantoni is one of the best known Italian potters. His works are held in private collections and museums in the Untied States and Europe. The two pieces above, the Quail Bank and Caveman and Woman Vase are exceptional examples of Fantoni’s modernist style. In 1970 he founded the International School of Ceramic Arts at his studio in Florence.

Functionality as well as artistic design was a trademark of mid-century Italian pottery. The ashtray below was made by Bitossi for Raymor Ceramics at the end of the 1950’s. Once again, the strength of the design and glaze comes though and elevates this utilitarian piece to the level of art. This pottery will make a great ornament in any setting and is as useful as a fruit bowl and it is for an ashtray.


Ashtray– Raymor by Bitossi – Italy – circa 1959

Prices for the pieces shown here are in the moderate-to-high range ($100 – $350) although some pieces of Italian pottery can be found for less or much more – some works going into the thousands of dollars.

Next we will look at gifts made little closer to home – vintage Blenko Glass by designer Wayne Husted.

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Chicklet Sofa by Ray Wilkes

I found one of these beauties last week at a local estate. Designed by Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller in 1976 this sofa has it all – great lines with minimalist appearance and comfort you rarely see in modern furnishings. Sitting in one of these is simply a joy.
 


Chicklet Sofa – Designed by Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller – 1976

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