Niels Erik From: Modernist Scandinavian Jewelry

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No designer does Modernist quite like Scandinavian designers. This extraordinary pendant necklace by Niels Erik From is a beautiful example of the heights of Scandinavian jewelry design.

Niels Erik From (1908—1982) is considered among the greats of Danish silver design, along with such notable names as Georg Jensen. From trained as a silversmith and opened his first workshop in 1931 at the age of 23.

From's early jewelry pieces reflect the Skønvirke style, a Scandinavian development of the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements. These early pieces are explorations of the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau interest in naturalistic designs incorporating flowers, leaves, and other foliage, as well as animal motifs. The pieces were usually beautifully detailed and have a rather romantic air.

This pendant necklace is a striking example of the later Modernist pieces that came out of From's workshop. The necklace is hand crafted with a boldly sinuous shape crowned by a large translucent amber cabochon. The Modernist designs are striking yet simple, with a sculptural elegance.

This pendant is hallmarked "NE From Sterling Denmark 925s", but smaller pieces are sometimes simply marked "From" or "N.E. From" in an italic script.


You can find more example of Scandinavian (primarily Danish) design here.

Examine this Niels Erik From pendant necklace in greater detail.

Celebrate Mardi Gras with Vintage Bar Style

It's time for Mardi Gras! Today is Fat Tuesday, our last hurrah before Lent. The Carnival season is culminating tonight and we're celebrating appropriately. We're always excited to bring out the glamorous vintage and antique barware to help us celebrate in style.

For your next cocktail party or get-together, consider mixing and matching vintage with antique for a boldly unique hosting style. We're combining a vintage set of oversized whisky tumblers with an antique cut glass decanter for a particularly eye-catching effect.

The crystal and chrome tumblers have a sleek look that straddles Mid Century Modern and Art Deco. The set of eight tumblers come with a caddy, which makes it a breeze to serve cocktails for a crowd. And for those who don't like cocktails, a nip of Scotch from a cut crystal decanter (with an antique decanter label, of course) is an elegant sufficiency.

If you're more of a traditionalist, consider the classic mint julep cup. The mint julep is a traditional cocktail with its roots firmly planted in the South. Antique American coin silver mint julep cups date back to the 19th century and should be accompanied by specialized long sterling silver straw-spoons for a truly unique and authentic experience.

The set above is a modern take on the classic mint julep cup from the noted Kentucky firm Wakefield-Scearce. The set of twelve mint julep cups are beautiful examples of a traditional yet timeless design.  

Layering antique and vintage objects with modern pieces is a great way to bring a fresh and individual personality to your home. There are so many amazing options for antique and vintage barware, tumblers, glasses, goblets, shakers, and other cocktail accessories.

Check out our store for more ideas to style your next cocktail party with fine vintage and antique barware.

The Guild of Handicraft & Superb Enamel Decoration

This turn of the century box is a beautiful example of decorative art from the British Arts & Crafts movement.

The Arts & Crafts movement was inspired largely by the writings of John Ruskin and the ethos of the artist William Morris. The British Arts & Crafts movement encompassed a wide range of social and artistic beliefs. Its supporters believed that art should be available to everyone of every walk of life. As William Morris said, “…I do not want art for a few; any more than education for a few; or freedom for a few…” The movement began as a reaction against machine production, and searched for a new aesthetic design that embraced simplicity and high quality materials.

Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942) was a primary figure in the entrepreneurial side of the Arts & Crafts movement. He founded the Guild of Handicraft in the 1890s which employed numerous craftsman and artisans to create jewelry, enamels, furniture, and ironwork, as well as other pieces of “handicraft”.
Charles Fleetwood Varley joined the Guild of Handicraft in the 1890s and quickly gained fame specifically for his sophisticated creations in enamel. When the Guild dissolved in 1907, Varley found success in marketing his richly detailed enamels at the noted retailer Liberty & Co, where they became much sought after.

This box is a striking example of Varley’s painterly approach to enamelwork. The round panel depicts a peaceful, lightly wooded landscape at sunset. The vibrant autumnal colors are used to a particularly evocative effect. The round box itself is crafted in hand hammered sterling silver, date marked for 1903, placing it within Varley’s time with the Guild of Handicraft. The box is signed in the enamel by Varley, as pictured.

Learn more about this amazing Guild of Handicraft enameled silver box here.

Find other antique enamel and sterling silver works of art in our store.