It’s party time as the Holiday season gets into full swing and high on the agenda is planning formal or informal gatherings for family and friends. Selecting beautiful decorative art objects to liven up a home and create festive table settings should not only please the eye, but also serve function and fun to help set the tone for a party atmosphere. Variety abounds from VandM.com dealers who offer an array of decorative objects to complement any number of décor styles. Here are 10 eclectic selections catering to the stylishly modern or traditional tastes of a discriminating hostess.
These handkerchief vases were quite popular in the 1960s. Can hold small flowers, flower petals, or serve as bowls for cocktail nuts. Very retro and eye-catching when scattered around a room. Available for purchase as a set of 14 or in smaller numbers. VandM.com dealer Decorative Collective through http://vandm.com/DecorativeCollective.
Purists might raise an eyebrow, but these rare antique pieces, can be decorated, sparingly, with garlands or flower runners. Perfect as bookends on a long elegant buffet table, or, on a console table in an entryway. VandM.com dealer Vintage Views through http://vandm.com/VintageViews, (201) 232-4280.
Charming accents for side tables (or in a powder room) adding just the right touch of elegance. VandM.com dealer MadriGallery through http://vandm.com/MadriGallery.
English silver-plated zinc cooler depicting hunting scenes by Hugo Leven (1874-1956) a well-known German designer who used pewter and other metals for tableware. Several of his pieces are in MoMA’s collection. VandM.com dealer Alpen Antiks through http://vandm.com/Alpen_Antiks, (970) 544-5384.
Each of the 10 charger plates depict different English castles, e.g., Ardencapel Castle, Ross Castle, Dover Castle and so on. Each is signed. A nice accompaniment to the Kaiser Zinn Cooler (shown above). Lovely plates suited for holiday parties especially if you are planning a traditional English dinner. VandM.com dealer Vintage Views through http://vandm.com/VintageViews, (201) 232-4280.
Elaborate in design, this large punch bowl/centerpiece was manufactured by WMF in Geislingen, Germany. A legendary company for its silver plated wares from soup bowls, ashtrays, candelabra, and lavishly decorated mirrors. This punch bowl probably dates from the late 19th or early 20th century. A collector’s item. Vandm.com dealer Guevara Gallery through http://vandm.com/GuevaraGallery, 005411 4362 2418.
Designed in the style of Karl Springer and Alessandro Albrizzi. VandM.com dealer Weisshouse through http://vandm.com/weisshouse.
Martin Margiela
A decorative object with a twist. At year’s end, this calendar becomes a set of 12 napkins. An interesting mix of canvass and cotton handsomely embroidered and starched for weight. http://www.mossonline.com/, 888-6677.
Reminiscent of “Mad Men” style, these highball glasses will look great on a bar and will come in handy as extra glasses for those favoring whiskey and scotch. VandM.com dealer Gabriel Gibson Decorative Arts through http://vandm.com/gabrielgibson, (301) 339-4919.
Originally from the Tami Islands in Papua, New Guinea, this serving bowl was purchased at auction. A fine addition on any table. VandM.com dealer Hacienda through http://vandm.com/Hacienda, (805) 613-8003.
