Price Points: Glass display domes

Glass display domes

Anyone that’s seen photos of our bedroom will know that it’s decorated with dark walls and furnishings with metallic highlights. Not unlike the sets of Penny Dreadful. We have a growing collection of nature specimens and the best way of showing them off to their best is under glass display domes.

We’d love lots of genuine Victorian glass display domes, but the prices can run into hundreds of pounds! Luckily, there’s a growing number of brand new examples, many of them well made with a good weight to them.

  1. BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall): £7.95, IKEA
  2. Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99, H&M
  3. Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall): £34, Trouva

shop glass display domes

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
£34
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
£17.99
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
£7.95
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
£34
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
£17.99
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
£7.95
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
£34
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
£17.99
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
£7.95
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
£34
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
£17.99
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
£7.95
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
Nkuku medium decorative glass dome (30cm tall)
£34
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
Glass dome (21cm tall): £17.99
£17.99
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
BEGÅVNING glass dome with base (19cm tall)
£7.95

Designer Desire: Bertil Vallien

Collage of Bertil Vallien designs | H is for Home

I had a really tough time short-listing images of the works of Bertil Vallien – there are so many magnificent ones!

Swedish artist, Vallien (b. 1938) worked in the Kosta Boda glassworks for over half a century. He has also produced glass, ceramics and metalware for well-known companies such as Åfors, Gustavsberg, Rörstrand and Hal Fromhold.

1st Dibs, eBay and Etsy always have examples of his vast back-catalogue for sale.

Have a watch of the short film showing Vallien at work in 2016, producing the huge glass piece – Passage – for Kosta Boda in celebration of their long-standing relationship and the company’s 275th anniversary.

Portrait of Bertil Valliencredit

Additional image credits:

Bukowskis

Designer Desire: Tamara Aladin

Collage of Tamara Aladin art glass for Riihimäen Lasi Oy | H is for Home

We’ve had quite a few vases designed by Tamara Aladin over the years. In fact, we have a couple in our web shop at the moment. We’ve mentioned her work in general round-ups before, but never actually given her a post of her own. What I’d love, is to own a collection of them – all different shapes – in the deep green colourway. I’d display them on a windowsill where the sunlight can shine through, showing them off to their best.

Aladin worked for glass manufacturers, Riihimäen Lasi Oy between 1959 and 1976. She produced over 150 designs, mostly for the export market, especially Germany. Her designs include Kehrä (light blue, bottom trio), Kleopatra (red, centre, 2nd from bottom row), Presto, Rondella and Tornado (jade green, left, 3rd from bottom row).

2010 saw the centenary of the Riihimäki company which was commemorated by a book and exhibition at the Finnish Glass Museum.

A Russian speaker, she was once a Finnair flight attendant on the Moscow route where she also acted as interpreter for communications between the pilots and air traffic control. As well as Russian, Aladin spoke English, Swedish and German.

Tamara Aladin still lives in Hamina, 145km east of Helsinki.

There are always examples of her work available to buy on eBay and Etsy.

Portrait of Tamara Aladin with a glass-blowercredit

Additional image credits:

20th Century Glass | Bukowskis | Designlasi | Pinterest

International vintage

International vintage homewares | H is for Home

Our recent acquisitions have a ’round the world’ theme.

Green vintage Riihimäki art glass vase Red vintage Finel enamel mugs

We’ll start with Finland. Vintage glassware fans will recognise the sculptural form and distinctive olive green colour of the Riihimäki vase. These vases look amazing when arranged in groups or rows, highlighting the contrast in shapes and size. And then the enamel mugs – what a gorgeous colour and pattern. They were designed by Kaj Franck for Finel – and are very hard to find in this condition and quantity.

Vintage Italian pottery pin dish Vintage Avon 'Her World' Talc

Next, on to Italy, where this fabulous little pin dish was produced. The hand decorated piece has very eye-catching decoration; she’s a very beautiful and arresting young lady – reminiscent of the work of Modigliani. It’s the perfect little dish for rings or other jewellery. And more pretty girls on this Avon ‘Her World’ Talc. Cosmetic products aren’t something that we normally pick up – but it’s unused with contents intact – and the illustrations are so gorgeous that we couldn’t resist. The label reads “Avon Cosmetics – New York, London, Munchen, Paris, Rome” – a very apt item for our little global product trip!

Vintage Konge tinn pewter napkin rings Vintage green enamel candle holder

These Konge tinn pewter napkin rings hail from Norway. They have a striking and intricate Viking themed design with warriors and ships. They’re very tactile in the hand – keep your dinner guests happy for hours! And last, but not least, a charming vintage enamel candle holder that we’re pretty sure was made in France. We love the delicate ribbed pattern, aged patina and fabulous emerald green colour.

These international vintage products and others will be heading to our web shop soon – click on each item image to find it!