This striking sky-blue Venetian glass ewer captures the imagination with its fantastical dragon-shaped handle — a signature flourish of the 19th-century Venetian glass revival. During this period, master glassmakers looked back to the opulence of Renaissance designs, reinterpreting them with new techniques and dazzling colors. Recently, novel conservation methods have been applied to this ewer, reviving its original luster and reminding us why Venice’s glassmaking tradition has been celebrated for centuries.
Photographed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.
Way back in 2012, we took a deep dive into the exquisite, handcrafted fine jewelry from John Hardy — a brand known for its commitment to sustainable luxury and Balinese-inspired artistry. More than a decade later, their boutique remains firmly rooted in the same location in NYC’s upscale SoHo neighborhood, a testament to the brand’s enduring appeal and dedication to a high-end lifestyle. True to form, John Hardy pays meticulous attention to every design element of the store — both inside and out — right down to the striking Dragon Door Pull that greets visitors at the entrance. Fierce, indeed!
When it comes to using incense, the most crucial element is the aroma that enters through the mouth and nose. The scent is absorbed into the body’s qi and bloodstream through breathing, which in turn stimulates a sense of spiritual pleasure — directly impacting both mind and body. For this reason, the materials and overall quality of incense are essential considerations. Continue reading How to Choose Authentic Incense in Today’s Chaotic Market→
These days, furniture whose designs are conceived on a computer or transferred from other media can be wholly or partly made by digitally controlled machines. More recently, technology allows for the three-dimensional (3D) printing of a complete object, layer by layer, using powder or liquid resin.
This Fractal Table II (2007– 2009) designed by Platform— a partnership of German furniture designers Gernot Oberfell and Jan Wertel, with Matthias Bar — is based on the form of the dragon tree (Dracaena). To develop the computer models for the table, the designers used mathematical algorithms to create a design which reproduced the fractal growth patterns found in tree’s branching structure. Continue reading Eye On Design: Fractal Table 2 By Platform→
In NYC, you will come across amazing discoveries every few feet if you just keep your eyes open. I was walking to the train from a fun visit to the newly-reopened Metropolitan Museum of Art when this unique, wrought iron sculptural door caught my eye. And how could it not: It looks like a medieval Dragon is struggling to burst forth from behind a cage onto the sidewalk! Very Scary! Continue reading Eye On Design: Wrought Iron Dragon Door Sculpture→
