Size matters! And I’d never seen one this small before. Orrefors’ legendary Ravenna range is immediately recognisable from the geometric, grid-like formation of small decorated squares on a blue (sometimes red) body. Typical of mid-century modern Scandinavian design, the forms are rounded and organic. It was designed in 1948 by the hugely talented designer Sven […]
Mark Hill examines a 1970s abstract painting by an as yet unknown Iranian or Persian woman artist.
Antiques expert Mark Hill looks at a battered antique 1920s Steiff teddy bear bought in Berlin. Worn by love but still full of character, think about the stories he holeds within him.
Antiques expert Mark Hill finds and reviews a 1920s painting by the forgotten School of Paris woman artist Lilian de Glehn Thibaut, sister of the famous artist Wilfrid de Glehn.
Antiques expert Mark Hill looks at the history of Sekonda vintage watches, revealing a surprising origin.
Antiques expert Mark Hill finds a rare etching of a Georgian print collector and dealer called Nathaniel Hillier and discovers a story involving staining prints with strong coffee.
Mark Hill examines a newly rediscovered 1930s Modern British painting by studio potter and artist William Staite Murray.
Antiques and modern design expert Mark Hill examines the incredible life and work of artist and sculptor Ron Hitchins.
Antiques expert Mark Hill examines a curious, sculptural wooden hand carved during the Victorian period in Malawi, Africa.
Antiques expert Mark Hill examines a rare 19th century German or Bohemian enamelled glass painter’s advertising or promotional goblet.
In 2013, I wrote a blog post on the origins of iridescent glass. Despite credit usually going to the hugely successful Art Nouveau iridescent glass produced by Tiffany and Loetz from the 1890s onwards, the origins of iridescent glass actually date back to 1856 and a Hungarian chemist and technician called Leo Valentin Pantocek. You […]
Antiques expert Mark Hill examines a ceramic vase by Edge Malkin, which is not as modern as it may appear.