Another quest

My "quest list" keeps getting longer. It's not just that I want things. I want certain things at a bargain price. It's not that the things I want are all that rare. It's finding them cheap that forces me to practice patience, which has never been my strong suit.

The latest thing that's been added to the list is an orange and white Cathrineholm bowl. See, not that rare. But I want an 11" diameter one in very good to excellent condition. And, as I said, I want it cheap.

Something tells me I'll be waiting a while.

11" Cathrineholm bowl
ebay.com - bingabangaboom

New collection

A new collection has started, but this time it's not for me. I bought my daughter her first piece of Cathrineholm as one of her Christmas gifts. It's a beautiful two-toned blue 8" Lotus bowl in excellent condition. The design by Grete Prytz Kittelsen has been an icon since the 1960s.

Cathrineholm Lotus bowl

Excuse the ebay photo. The whole family has been sick since Christmas Day. Thank goodness I had several posts scheduled, but they've all been used, so what you get may be a little short or even sporadic for the next few days.

Marvelous metals

Three designers in metal--Jens Quistgaard, Grete Prytz Kittelsen and Lino Sabattini—produced some of the most memorable pieces of the mid-century era.

Jens Quistgaard (1919-2008) is best known for his skills in three dimensional design, his innovative ways, and his traditional craftsmanship.  His parents were a sculptor and a painter, and Georg Jensen, one of Denmark's most lauded silversmiths, was his mentor. Early in his design career Quistgaard moved to the United States, where he continued to work in a Danish inspired style. His production was funded at the time by American entrepreneur Ted Nierenberg, and together in the early 1950's they founded  Dansk Designs, the seminal American company working in the Danish Modern style.

Another recognizable collection of mid-century metals includes saucepans, a kettle, coffee pots, bowls and other brightly colored pieces decorated with the Lotus pattern, which was designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen (1917-2010) for Cathrineholm of Norway in the 1960s. Kittelsen was born in Oslo, Norway, and was educated in Paris, as well as the Art Institute in Chicago. She was a major factor in the rise in popularity of Scandinavian design.

Lino Sabattini (1925- ) is a brilliant but entirely self-taught Italian designer. His designs are beautiful, elegant and distinguished by consummate craftsmanship. It was thanks to Gio Ponti, who raved about Lino Sabattini's designs, that Sabattini became known to a wide following. Lion Sabattini became director of design at the prestigious Cristofle Orfèvrerie, where he created metalware notable for abstract, organic modern forms between 1956 and 1963.

From sllab.net and kettererkunst.com

Jens Quistgaard candleholder for Dansk
etsy.com - ObjectOfBeauty

Kobenstyle cookware by Jens Quistgaard
etsy.com - blueflowervintage

Jens Quistgaard fireplace tools
1stdibs.com

Grete Prytz Kittelsen  kettle
aftenbladet.no

Cathrineholm fondue pot
modernfindings.com

Tea and coffee service by Lino Sabattini
theimagazine.com

Lino Sabattini tray
galleryL7.com