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Mid Century design from the post WW2 era possessed a bold and audacious aesthetic that grew from the fusion of many intrepid design concepts. It represented the critical mass of the merging of numerous design influences including biomorphic curves, orbiting atoms, fractured cubist forms, brutalist abstractions, lava glazes and streamlined minimalist forms.
The desire to bring futuristic styles into the mainstream, reflecting the thrust of the space age and the atomic age inventions, came into fruition. These provided iconic imagery that was very adaptable to the minimal streamlined industrial designs that had emerged in architecture and furniture from gifted designers like Le Corbusier, Ray Eames, Gio Ponti, Isamu Noguchi and Walter Gropius. The public were eager to embrace modern design concepts, possibly to distance themselves from the recent WW global conflicts and their escapist desires were adequately provided by decor objects that exuded fantasy, glamour, modernism, humour and the future.
Designs embracing a fun-factor, kitchiness and sense of the future were ubiquitous and covered a vast array of decorative objects that included figurines, lamps, planters, clocks and vases. Polynesian, Aztec, Tiki and African themes were popular, along with other kitsch diversions all combining with modernist, abstract features.
The inventive styles ranging from the quirky to the sophisticated, have proved to have a timeless appeal and can still be harmonious with contemporary modern decor designs. Due to their excellent craftsmanship that embraced new materials,, tasteful simplicity and adventurous innovation, they are still being admired and collected over half a century later. Their brilliant originality has endured the journey and contributed to their ongoing collectability and appeal.