Addendum To Yesterday's Post: Grace Gunning

A little note:

Yesterday I wrote a post on Grace Gunning and her unique, mysterious and personal handmade copper reliquary boxes.
Ironically, that was the one day, her own personal site was down. In all fairness to this artist (and to my readers), now that her site is functioning, please be sure to take a look. Her boxes make wonderful personal and unique gifts.



I was also remiss in not explaining how some of her pieces are 'interactive' games, under her site heading "Come Play With Me" (you know, where you roll the ball around until it sits in a little depression?) and I didn't point out her fabulous Changeling boxes which, when moved, images appear and disappear.



Her work ranges from kitschy (little plastic babies and googly eyes) to spiritual (angels, madonna) to retro (robots and toys).
Now that her site is up and running, be sure to visit by clicking here.

Modern Weathervanes From Italy by Dimensione Disegno.

I always felt that weathervanes, belonged atop a lovely country farmhouse- where, from the looks of most of the present designs, they belong.


above left: Traditional Rooster Weathervane, above right: Modern Rooster Weathervane

However, these modern interpretations designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa of Dimensione Disegno are so much fun, they'd complement even the most modern of homes or yards.

Made of powder coated steel and available with various mounts for either in ground or rooftop, these five colorful wind vanes are all available for purchase.






Each painted aluminium weather vane (Or wind vane as called by some) comes with a telescopic pole and stainless steel counterweight.


Above are the available bases: pole for ground, free standing and mount for fireplace.
350.42000/A pole for ground
350.42000/B free standing
350.42000/C mount for fireplace (only 1 pole H. 120 cm.)
Telescopic tube (max lenght ca. 260 cm.

About The Designers:

above: Afra and Tobia Scarpa

Afra Bianchin was born in Montebelluna in 1937 and Tobia Scarpa in Venice in 1935. They graduated at the Istituto Universitario d’Architettura in Venice and formed one of the most successful and known professional associations. In 1958 they began working in the glass field with Venini in Murano. In 1960 they started working with Gavina; the "Bastiano" sofa and the "Vanessa" metal bed – now in the Knoll International collection – being their most successful pieces.

With Cassina, where they designed furniture exclusively for the house, success came with "Soriana" armchair, which won the Compasso d’Oro award in 1970, and the "925" armchair, which is on permanent display in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 1960 they joined Flos and worked as designers with the Castiglioni. Their best known piece for B&B ITALIA are the "Coronado" and the "Erasmo". For Maxalto they designed a whole collection of very fine furniture. They did the "Torcello" system, which is still on the market today, for Stildomus.

For Molteni they did the "Morna" bed, while for Unifor the "Master" series of manager’s furniture. They were also responsible for the Benetton image in Europe and in America. In architecture they designed the Benetton woolens mill and offices in Ponzano, the Scarpa house and the Lorenzin house in Abano Terme, they restored the Villa Minelli and the Fragiacomo house in Trieste.

Their designs are on show in the principal museums of the world and have been chosen for all major international shows.

Buy any one of these great modern weather vanes here.

Grace Gunning's Gorgeous Reliquary Boxes

Grace Gunning's One-of-a-kind Reliquary Boxes

the bio and info below are from the artist:
Play and mystery are the main ingredients in the unique reliquary boxes made in Grace Gunning's studio.

After years of working primarily with glass, Grace Gunning found old 1890's metal forming machines and began to experiment with a very heavy gauge of copper, hoping to learn to form a box. It took a year or so to teach herself the techniques that are all but lost in this very modern world. In time the boxes, formed one at a time, became more than just boxes. Although the word Reliquary means 'a receptacle for treasures', Grace hopes she's created a treasure to hold your treasures.



Growing up in Blacklick, Ohio in the late 50's and early 60's as a Quaker and moving to N.Y.C. as a teenager in the later 60's gave Grace the sense that life is whackier than we can even imagine.

In her studio in upstate N.Y., along the mighty Hudson River, past meets present. Through the work of play and the play of work, and these marvelous old machines, Grace brings you her Reliquary Boxes.

Below are just a few examples, she has many more in varying themes.









GRACE GUNNING'S RELIQUARY BOXES ARE MADE OF HEAVY GAUGE COPPER USING HAND-RUN 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY MACHINES.

THE LIDS FEATURE WHIMSICAL IMAGES AND MOVEABLE PIECES CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND PROTECTED UNDER GLASS. THE BOXES RANGE IN SIZE FROM 3"x1.5"x1" TO 7"x6"x2".
(MOVE CURSOR OVER THUMBNAIL IMAGES TO VIEW DIMENSIONS)

EACH HAND SIGNED AND DATED BOX IS LINED IN VELVET TO PROTECT YOUR CHERISHED TREASURES.

Be sure to visit her own site to see all her work.

Or you can buy her boxes at any one of the several galleries below:
here(left bank gallery).
And here(Zanisa).
And here(uncommon goods).
And here(ruby lane).
And here(paddiwhack).
And here(cog and pearl).
And here(fire opal).