Cool furniture, design objects and desiderata

[TheFoo]

The stuff is pretty amazing in person. I saw it at the National Museum in Taipei and thought it was the most interesting stuff in the museum, perhaps tied with the huge landscape paintings with small people that I also love. I have some plant pots that were clearly inspired by them (shape, colors, crackling), bought years before I visited Taiwan or had any idea what they were based on.

Yes, hard to describe in words. Must be seen to get it.

Anyway, it’s not like people these days suddenly decided Ru porcelain is worth paying attention to. It has been admired as the finest porcelain ever made in China for many, many centuries.

 

[double00]

As I think I noted earlier, it is a particularly beautiful celadon glaze. The real stuff—whether the original imperial pieces from the Song dynasty or high-quality contemporary pieces made in the same way—has a very special depth and luster. The top surface of the glaze is glass-smooth and glossy while the bottom is matte and milky. Plus, because the glaze is applied so thinly, the underlying grey porcelain peeks through at the edges and adds a greyish undertone throughout.

The aggregate effect is very unique and very difficult to achieve.

Then there is the fact that the beauty of the glaze inspired the use of simple and unadorned forms. This reflects a purposeful and modern honesty toward material and design that would not take hold in the West for nearly a millenium.

What more do you want?

a reasonable point, particularly viewed within the breadth of celadon traditions, but that would hold up better had the development of the type continued past a few decades.

i would disagree that sublimating form for the sake of color/surface is particularly purposeful or honest, especially so against the vastness of folk wares. for my money beauty emerges from function.

 

[TheFoo]

a reasonable point, particularly viewed within the breadth of celadon traditions, but that would hold up better had the development of the type continued past a few decades.

i would disagree that sublimating form for the sake of color/surface is particularly purposeful or honest, especially so against the vastness of folk wares. for my money beauty emerges from function.

Not sure I understand. Why does the fact that original Ru was only produced for a few decades negatively impact its cultural significance? If anything, quite the opposite. Subsequent dynasties repeatedly tried and failed to match Song-era Ru Yao. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that modern technology allowed researchers to figure out the methodology.

Ru Yao really shouldn’t be thought of as “folk ware.” Individual pieces were considered artworks unto themselves and were commissioned by the emperor.

 

[Van Veen]

Maybe somebody on here who is good with wood can help me out. I have this old Stickly desk and whenever anything wet gets on it, this white crust appears. I can scrape it off with my nail, or if I use alcohol it will come off. It is rather annoying. The desk is from the 20s and the finish isn’t consistent across it. Does this have something to do with the finish or is it something else?

View attachment 1396737

This looks like it could potentially be an original Basquiat. Maybe you shouldn't clean it.

 

[ctp120]

This looks like it could potentially be an original Basquiat. Maybe you shouldn't clean it.

Aren’t all of his works on wood on skateboard decks?

 

[GeneralEmployer]

The color combination is good.

Is that a real photo of you?

 

[brokencycle]

Anyone know where one might find Schottlander's Mantis BS1 B floor lamp? I really like it, but DWR wants $1400 for a reproduction made in China which I feel is absurd. The B is important because I prefer the round base/

 

[GeneralEmployer]

This is the fruit of a one minute google search:

Mantis BS1 DCW Éditions Floor Lamp - Milia Shop

Mantis BS1 DCW Éditions Floor Lamp Mantis BS1 designed by Bernard Schottlander for DCW Éditions is a floor lamp with body made of steel and aluminium shade. Base available in 2 different types: tripod or round.

www.miliashop.com

 

[brokencycle]

This is the fruit of a one minute google search:

Mantis BS1 DCW Éditions Floor Lamp - Milia Shop

Mantis BS1 DCW Éditions Floor Lamp Mantis BS1 designed by Bernard Schottlander for DCW Éditions is a floor lamp with body made of steel and aluminium shade. Base available in 2 different types: tripod or round.

www.miliashop.com

A much better price to be sure thanks. I've seen other EU websites selling it for 800-900 EUR but then have 100 in shipping. Still made in China makes me ask: why not by the cheap Chinese knockoff that is probably made by the same factory for $300-400.

 

[GeneralEmployer]

A much better price to be sure thanks. I've seen other EU websites selling it for 800-900 EUR but then have 100 in shipping. Still made in China makes me ask: why not by the cheap Chinese knockoff that is probably made by the same factory for $300-400.

Do you have a link for the knockoff?

To cite a well-worn SF adage: 'just because something is made in the same factory doesn't mean it is the same quality.'

For whatever reason, manufacturers are exceptionally bad at knocking off lighting. I mostly prefer antique lighting because I find the old stuff is more beautiful and I don't like LEDs. But if I were to buy new lighting, I'd almost certainly be concerned about brand.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

Given the same set of choices I went with Kaiser Idell. The current production Kaiser’s are excellent.

 

[TheFoo]

Made in China is fundamentally no worse than made in Italy. It really comes down to QC. Plus, I would not be surprised if the Chinese factories have better equipment and machinery.

I’ve owned and experienced too many Italian-made things (including my fill of furniture) to have any special reverence for things made in Italy.

 

[GeneralEmployer]

Made in China is fundamentally no worse than made in Italy. It really comes down to QC. Plus, I would not be surprised if the Chinese factories have better equipment and machinery.

I’ve owned and experienced too many Italian-made things (including my fill of furniture) to have any special reverence for things made in Italy.

A lot of 'made in Italy' isn't really 'made in Italy' anymore. Luciano Barbera famously led a doomed crusade last decade against Versace over this matter. There's too many loopholes to the law that was on the books, and the one that Santo Versace got passed in Parliament in 2010 was purposefully meant to throw everything into further confusion (it was in conflict with EU law, and Barbera pointed this out):

Is Italy Too Italian? (Published 2010)

Like much of the Italian economy, the Carlo Barbera factory is struggling, for reasons that academics say reveal much about what ails Italy.

www.nytimes.com

"Made In Italy": What Is Behind The Worldwide Famous Label?

The "Made in Italy" label is a worldwide famous grant of quality and unique Italian aesthetic. The brand is fundamental to the Italian manufacture, which is why politicians have now stepped in to protect it. However, the luxury of the trademark clashes with the reality of the labor behind it.

www.forbes.com

There was a threak in which @Big A talked about how some Chinese factories are subsidized by the gov't: they are designed to operate at a loss in order to drive out competition. Anybody have any sources on this?

In my experience, when something fashion or decor related is really made in Italy, it will usually beat out China. However, I'd like to be proven wrong here. I'm curious if any SF members have any examples in the fashion or decor realm where made in China comes out the winner in terms of quality.

 

[sugarbutch]

In my experience, when something fashion or decor related is really made in Italy, it will usually beat out China.

I mean, FIAT does a lot to undermine your point about Italian manufacturing excellence...

 

[GeneralEmployer]

I said fashion and decor made in Italy. I never liked Italian cars with the exception of some vintage Ferraris. But even those don't compare favorably with the beauty of some English cars or the marvels of German engineering.