In our last blog we were musing over the influence of nature on artists & designers. Also how nature has been interpreted in book illustrations etc. We randomly began with ‘fish’ as a sub-theme, we’re going to continue, equally randomly, with ‘birds’.
1960s Irish linen tea towel
kitchen storage jar
The items featured are again predominantly vintage finds from the 1950s, 60s & 70s. They include artworks, books and domestic wares.
1960s Wedgewood glass birds
Check out the fantastic bird series produced for Iittala by the Finnish glass designer, Oiva Toikka started in 1973. They’re still being made today having amassed a range of over 300 designs.
John Clappison designs for Hornsea Pottery – mugs & hen ashtray
Mexican pin dish
1950s cocktail tray
We’re really pleased with this recent biscuit tin acquisition, picked up in a mixed box at a nearby auction.
fantastic 1950s graphics
Mid century books can be a rich source of high quality, period illustrations.
We dipped into our vintage cookery book collection again and came out with some little gems.
collection of 1950s Stork margarine recipe booklets
Bill Charmatz illustrations
Esquire Cook Book front cover. First published in 1956
Charley Harper illustrations
We hope you’ve enjoyed looking at our avian delights. Stay tuned for flowers, foliage, landscapes and much more!
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Whether it be the physical landscape itself or the flora & fauna contained within it, artists and designers have been influenced by nature over the centuries.
Inspiration drawn from mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, clouds, trees, birds, fish, plants, flowers are all reflected in their work.
We thought it would be fun to take these broad themes and show their influence on the creative process. For no particular reason, we’re going to start with fish!
vintage 1960s pottery plates
We might feature stuff from any decade, but there will, no doubt be a mid 20th century bias as we love this era and are always drawn to vintage pieces from the 50s, 60s & 70s.
Large 1950s green glass dish
1960s art glass sculptures
Stylised fish were a much-used design motif in this mid 20th century period- in art, design and everyday homewares.
Collage entitled Fish Fossil Sea Bed by Andrew Rob, 1970
1960s iron trivet Swedish serving dish (Dukat)
Aquarius series plates by Washington Pottery
John Clappison, Hornsea Pottery Bernard Moss Pentewan Pottery
Hornsea Pottery wall-mountable fish… who needs flying ducks?
Also, the artistic treatment given in cookbooks etc can be quite magical. Two of our undoubted favourites are Bill Charmatz and Charley Harper.
Bill Charmatz – from the Esquire Cook Book first published in Great Britain in 1956.
Charley Harper – from Betty Crocker’s Dinner for Two first published in 1958.
Finally, to show that nature can do a pretty good job herself, we picked up this fossil from a great little shop in Hastings. Preserved in green river shales, it’s 45 million years old (hopefully you won’t be waiting that long for the launch of our website!).
Knightia alta, Eocene period. Origin: Wyoming
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