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Aren't these an absolute delight? Umistakably Charlie Chaplin locked in a cheek to cheek dance with Auntie. Produced in the 1920s at the peak of Chaplin's career, they were the Mattel doll merch of the day! Produced by Dean's, they are rag dolls, made entirely of fabric and the detail is just super... from their expressions to the buttons on Charlie's waistcoat to Auntie's bloomers underneath. They have been loved so they are a little worn and faded but unsurprising given they are cloth-made and their age. They are locked / sewn together in their dance, perhaps a Charleston. They are precious things that are rarely available.Â
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Magic lanterns predated the slide projector. With either a candle or latterly a lamp inside to illuminate richly coloured glass slides that were slotted in the side, they brought to life stories, tales of derring-do and great moments in history. The concept dates back to the late 1600s and their appeal continued through to the late 1800s. Early slides were hand-painted but by the 1840s, image transfers were used instead. This set of 18 glass slides in its original box is Victorian. There are 7 large (24cm x 7cm), 1 medium (20.5cm x 6cm) and 10 small (11cm x 3cm) slides in total. The colours and images are still bright and vivid, although there is wear as you might expect. Depicted are mostly witty scenes and they are utterly charming. Sadly we don't have the magic lantern itself but these are such fun and deserve to be admired. They would look splendid mounted in a double-sided frame and hung in a window or presented in a light box.Â
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An original, USA issue of the infamous gentleman's magazine, Playboy, dating from February 1965. Very tame adult content by today's standards and with articles by leading writers and thinkers of the day, it's certainly of its era. A fascinating record of the times.
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What’s the story?
An original, USA issue of the infamous gentleman's magazine, Playboy, dating from May 1964. Very tame adult content by today's standards and with articles by leading writers and thinkers of the day, it's certainly of its era. A fascinating record of the times.
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What’s the story?
An original, USA issue of the infamous gentleman's magazine, Playboy, dating from April 1967. Very tame adult content by today's standards and with articles by leading writers and thinkers of the day, it's certainly of its era. A fascinating record of the times.
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What’s the story?
An original, USA issue of the infamous gentleman's magazine, Playboy, dating from July 1963. Extremely tame by today's standards and with articles by leading writers and thinkers of the day, it's certainly of its era. A fascinating record of the times.
Free UK Delivery!
What’s the story?
An original, USA issue of the infamous gentleman's magazine, Playboy, dating from October 1966. Extremely tame by today's standards and with articles by leading writers and thinkers of the day, it's certainly of its era. A fascinating record of the times.
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This is such a striking piece, not least because of its scale and weight - it's tall and substantial enough to be displayed on the ground. Made by Berthe Wallis, a British potter (1936 - 2019), we believe it dates from the 1970s. A gently tapering, cylindrical form with a pinched, concave band in a teal blue glaze, which is echoed at the rim. Our favourite bit? The small drip! Her painted monogram is on the base.Â
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A handsome, midcentury, studio pottery plate / dish to be used or admired, or both. Expertly thrown with a well-rendered sgraffito flower pattern on the interior over slip glaze with an unglazed, matt blue charcoal exterior. Signed. Simple and striking, a lovely gift for someone who loves something unique.Â
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A striking, richly patterned and textured vintage pottery vase. Raku fired with leaves on either side in a beautiful mix of autumnal colours revealed during combustion. Orange, greens, creams, charcoals and more on the outside and a white crackle glaze flecked with blue on the interior. Skillfully crafted and stamped underneath.Â
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Kokeshis are a Japanese symbol of good luck and good fortune. Traditionally crafted in cherry wood, these dolls are characterised by their over-sized head and simple, cylindrical bodies. They are hand-painted, most commonly in striking reds, blacks and greens, and signed by the artist underneath, each one unique and different to the next. With expressions ranging from sweet to bemused to happy to enigmatic, they are tactile, sculptural objects. This one comes colourfully decorated with textured grasses and floral motifs on her body. Display individually or cluster several together for a bigger, colourful impact.Â
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What's the story?
Kokeshis are a Japanese symbol of good luck and good fortune. Traditionally crafted in cherry wood, these dolls are characterised by their over-sized head and simple, cylindrical bodies. They are hand-painted, most commonly in striking reds, blacks and greens, and signed by the artist underneath, each one unique and different to the next. With expressions ranging from sweet to bemused to happy to enigmatic, they are tactile, sculptural objects. Each one is unique and different to the next, and they are usually hand-painted but this one is particularly special because it’s delicately engraved with no paint at all. A really unusual find with intricately carved, relief details and calligraphy. Display individually or cluster several together for a bigger, colourful impact.Â
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