Hi-yo, silver
Chinese export silver has long been beloved at home and abroad. Jennifer Pitman, our What’s Collectible columnist, silver specialist and herself an ardent admirer, explains why.
Modern comfort
American furniture designer Vladimir Kagan – best-known for his mid-century organically sculpted furniture – excelled at luxurious Modernism and livable furniture.
The art of ceramics
Few ceramic artists were more driven than the 19th century’s Hugh C. Robertson.
Tantalizing turquoise
While we most often associate turquoise with the jewelry of the American Southwest, it actually has a much broader history that spans the globe.
Sitting pretty
The works of Wendell Castle (1932-2018), one the foremost names in the American studio craft furniture, are viewed as increasingly significant in 20th-century design.
Spotlight on lighting design
What’s Collectible columnist Jennifer Pitman considers Gino Sarfatti of Arteluce and Angelo Lelii of Arredoluce, Italian lighting designers and manufacturers who flourished during Italy’s postwar design boom.
The jeweled menagerie
When you think of Buccellati – the Italian jeweler and silversmith—what comes to mind are boldly colored gemstones set against textured gold that resembles lace, linen and other precious fabrics. But the firm is equally well-known for its silverwork, especially its realistic “fur”-clad animal sculptures.
Posthumous honor for ‘mad’ potter
Arts and Crafts Movement ceramicist George Ohr created works that were playfully practical as well as defiantly dysfunctional. Small wonder he’s just having a big moment now.
Animal magnetism
With striking, boldly colored animal and zodiac designs, among other pieces, his jewelry has never gone out of fashion.
Man of metal
Furniture designer Paul Evans was a marvel with metal.
The versatile appeal of Lalique
Lalique is one of the most familiar names in glass and I’m almost sure to find an example or two on a client visit. But René Lalique’s glass was the focus of the second of his two highly successful careers. He was first known for his outstanding Art Nouveau jewelry designs.
Peerless Parzinger
The elegant designs of Tommi Parzinger are a familiar sight in Jennifer Pitman’s travels to the homes of Westchester and Fairfield county clients.
Tiffany’s silver lining
Without a doubt, American silver in the Japanese taste is one of the most inventive styles in American silver, and certainly one of the most collectible today.
Sculpting a varied career
Harry Bertoia is best-known as a designer of mid-century wirework furniture, such as his iconic Diamond chair. These designs not only brought Bertoia fame but sufficient “fortune” to pursue his passion for sculpture.
A silver lining for Georg Jensen pieces
While many sectors of the silver market have taken a beating in recent years – the downturn in 18th century English and American silver being a prime example — the silver of the Danish firm Georg Jensen has continued to hold its value.
Mid-century master
Piero Fornasetti’s boundless imagination and energy was applied to an immense array of furniture and decorative arts, leaving a legacy of thousands of individual designs.
Wrapped attention
Christo and Jeanne-Claude, husband-and-wife artists born on the same day, enveloped the world in fabric.
Signs of the times
Zodiac jewelry is once again the rage.
A living legend
Lino Tagliapietra is Dale Chihuly’s idea of a glassblower.
The undeniable appeal of Nakashima
While the value of much traditional “brown furniture” has seen a precipitous decline over the last few years, that’s not the case for American craft furniture and the works of George Nakashima in particular.