1970s Bob Van Allen Modernist Screen Print - Mountain Scene

A 1970s canvas screen print by artist and designer Robert Van Allen.

Van Allen was a rather prolific designer of home furnishings from the 1960s until 1983, when he passed away at the tender age of 44.  His designs ranged from textiles (think bed linens, table covers, and screen print art) to dinnerware and lighting fixtures.  He desinged china for Mikasa and flatware for Stanley Roberts, among other companies.

Van Allen remains a relatively obsure designer whose designs - often colorful, whimsical, and fun - remain underappreciated.

This canvas screen print features a mod mountain scene - complete with the sun above and a river below.

The canvas is in very good condition with a faint water stain running from top to bottom.  You could have the print cleaned for leave as-is.  Signed "Robert Van Allen" in the lower left corner.

18" square.

Start your Bob Van Allen collection today with this groovy print and be ahead of the curve in your appreciation of this modern designer.

SOLD!  Thanks, Cassie @ Chicago!

German 1950s Starburst Modernist Wall Clock

This quality timepiece screams mid century modern, with the starburst design and simplistic brass "pins" for numbers.

Made in Germany, the clock's large size and modern design would make an impressive focal point of any decor, modern or otherwise.

The clock's diameter is 30", and is signed "Germany" on the lower face.

The clock is battery-operated, uses one size D battery, and keeps perfect time!

Outstanding vintage condition - almost like new. This is a clock you can use and enjoy immediately!

$75

Set of 2 Danish Teak Nesting Tables

This stylish set of nesting tables would be the perfect compliment to a nice mid-century chair or sofa.

Solid teak with dovetailed joinery, they are a quality pair of tables.

Very good vintage condition, with minor scuffs here and there.  Very sturdy and solid.  They slide together easily.

15" x 16 1/2" and 17" high.

Stamped on the underside "Made in Denmark by Mobelfabrikken Stoften"

SOLD.  Thanks, Carl @ Chicago!

A Salterini Look-alike: A Pair of Orbit Chairs

When you first gaze at these chairs, what do you think?  Designer:  Maurizio Tempestini or Pierre Paulin?  Manufacterer: Famed Italian maker Salterini or legendary Dutch house Artifort?

Or maybe your mind takes you in a different direction.  Gee, that's looks like an orange slice, you might think.  Or perhaps your thoughts turn marine:  My gosh, it looks like a clam shell!

Regardless of what you think, these chairs are certainly design heavyweights. Witness the wonderful proportions with gently curved frames and wicker seats and backs.  They exude a European sophistication -you can easily picture yourself sipping a limoncello poolside at some quaint village in the Cinque Terre while sitting in this chair!

While these chairs definitely have impressive modernist DNA, the truth is they are very much this century.  As in 2006.  As in Pier 1 Imports.  Huh?

These terrific chairs are called Orbit chairs, and they had a brief stint at Pier 1 several years ago.  Modernists rightly praised them for their design and comfort, but Pier 1 quickly - and sadly - discontinued the line.

Today, nearly five years later, the Orbit chair has enjoyed a resurgence among design-concious folks who adore the curvaceous lines and fun orangy or clammy profile.  One problem:  there are not that many around.

The chair frame is made from thick steel (very solid), with wicker seats and backs.  This pair was used outside, and the wicker is faded and showing slight wear along the edges.  You could repair the wicker, or do what some savvy folks are choosing to do with these chairs: upholster the frame in a fabric of your choice.  If you choose the latter, Gotcha Modern! will be happy to recommend a fabulous (and very affordable) upholstery firm that specializes in mid-century furniture.

Who knows - maybe by 2030 the Orbit chair will rank right up there with seating designed by Eames, Jacobsen, and Juhl.  Time to get ahead of the curve!

SOLD.  Thanks, Jared @ Chicago!

1960s Dyrlund Danish Teak Credenza

Gotcha Modern! loves Danish teak credenzas, and here is a very nice example that could stand alone as an entertainment center, or nicely compliment a teak dining table.  Its compact size makes it the perfect choice for a smaller living space where extra square feet are at a premium.

Featuring a platform base, the credenza has desirable tambour doors, which slide completely into the sides of the unit - you needn't worry about have enough room or banging things when you open the doors.  The door fronts possess lovely teak graining, with solid teak pulls.

Three beautfully dovetailed silverware drawers with green felt bottoms ajoin one shelf, with two compartments below it.  The area below the drawers can also be used for storage.

The credenza is in fine vintage condition and is very solid. There are a couple spots on the top, and a small chip on the back lower corner.  The tambour doors slide easily back and forth.

The credenza was made by noted Danish manufacturer Dyrlund, and is signed, "Dyrlund, Made in Denmark."

59" long x 19" deep x 31" high.

Gotcha Modern! happily offers free delivery of the credenza within a 15 mile radius of Park Ridge (although we request that payment be made prior to delivery).

SOLD.  Thanks, Anne @ Winnetka!

Set of 4 Molded Fiberglass Armchairs - Krueger vs. Eames

Gotcha Modern! has just sourced a set of fantastic maize and blue molded fiberglass armchairs.

Made by Wisconsin-based Krueger Metal Products in the 50s and 60s, these chairs were made to compete with the Charles and Ray Eames-designed fiberglass arm chair manufactured by Herman Miller.  Looking at the two different versions side-by-side, it's difficult to tell them apart.

Vintage Eames fiberglass armchairs in like condition command $300 and up apiece.  While folks may aspire to own Eames, limited resources (and perhaps a dose of common sense) may preclude a pair of Eames in the living room.

Savvy design mavens and budget-conscious modernists have in recent years gravitated toward the Krueger fiberglass chairs.  Same great look at a fraction of the price of an Eames chair.  Some of these folks will keep their Krueger's forever, while others use and appreciate them until the time they spring for Eames.  Either way, they enjoy living with great design - and, isn't that what it's all about?

These chairs are in very good vintage condition.  All shock mounts are present, as are the gliders on the legs.  A few scruffs here and there (as one would expect with 50 year old furniture), but all-in-all, the set is in excellent shape.  Great graining of the fiberglass on the back of the chairs, as well!

Note:  these chairs would be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G for your favorite University of Michigan alum.  They can can kick back, watch the game at the Big House on the flat screen, and belt out "Hail to the Victors" in seating style.


The two blue chairs are SOLD.  Thanks, Richard @ Chicago!

Rembrandt Mauve and Gold Lamp that Screams 1960s/70s

Want to add a stylish splash of 60s/70s color and design to your decor?  This lamp may be the ticket.

Manufactured (and signed, by the way) by noted lighting manufacturer Rembrandt, the lamp features mauve tones again a gray stem base with brass accents throughout. The large shade features red and white specs on a gray background (any Ohio State fans out there?) with shag-like carpeting adorning the top of the shade.  Kind of screams 60s/70s, you know?

The base has a bit of oxidation, the shade has a few stains, and the shag top is faded.  Apart from that, the lamp works well and is ready to brighten you day - literally and figuratively.

SOLD.  Thanks, Linda @ Evanston!

1960s Modernist Wall Art by House of Ran Su

The manufacturer of this impressive modernist wall hanging is the House of Ran Su.  Alas, very little is known about the House, or about Mr. or Mrs. Su, if such a person existed.  What we do know is that the House of Ran Su created some spectacular modernist art.  We also know that they gravitated toward Carribean and/or Hawaiian themes, and this piece is an excellent example of the former.  Kind of just makes you want to get up and dance, no?

The piece incorporates a variety of artistic media:  a caned outer frame borders a steel frame, which encloses figures made out of wood playing drums and dancing.  It appears the figures are hand painted, and everything is affixed to a strong board.

The title of the work is "...Calypso Dancer and Drummer."  Signed en verso.

Dimensions:  22" wide and 36" long.

Very good vintage condition.  There is some wear to the caning (especially on the corners), and one very small dent in the picture.

Gotcha Modern! has seen similar Ran Su pieces sell in NYC for hundreds of dollars - in fact, our research uncovered an example very similar to this piece priced at $500.  Don't be discouraged - Gotcha Modern! retains a Midwestern sensibility regarding the economics of great design. :)

SOLD.  Thanks, Martin @ Brooklyn, NY!

Danish Teak and Cane Side Table by Selig

Good design comes in all shapes and sizes.  And, uncovering great vintage design in the wild sometimes means acquiring specimens that have experienced a few ups and downs in their lifetime.  Even though some pieces are a bit more than "gently used," their good design shines through.

Such is the case with this excellent Danish teak side table manufactured for Selig, the design of which is sometimes attributed to Ib Kofod Larsen.  Nice slight raised edges, gentely tapered legs, a caned lower shelf, and wonderful proportions throughout. Everything you'd expect from a well-respected Danish design house.

As you can see from the pics, the caning is not perfect - although it easily supports magazines and you could leave it as is.  The top has some dings but, again, it could easily be used as-is.  If you enjoy DIY projects, however, this might be a fun - and worthwhile - project.

30" long, 18" wide, 20 1/2" high.

SOLD.  Thanks, Sheerine @ Chicago!

Mint 1960s Danish Modern Wall Clock

Over the next few weeks, Gotcha Modern! will offer a number of wall clocks from the 1950s and 60s. 

Whether battery-powered or wind-up, a vintage clock serves a wonderful dual purpose:  not only does it provide a neat mid-century statement to your decor, it also tells time - kind a of quaint notion in our uber-connected society where mobile phones have rendered watches and clocks somewhat passe.

Gotcha Modern!, of course, resists such urges to do away with more traditional methods to keeping time.  Every good home needs a prominent wall or shelf clockm, and this clock is more than up to the challenge.

What a wonderful design to this Danish modern clock.  Manufactured by Welby and battery-powered, the clock features diamond-shaped walnut accents affixed at the end of brass rods extending from the back of the clock.  The face of the clock is also brass.  The walnut brown contrasts beautifully with the gold tone of the brass.

The best thing about the clock?  It looks like it just came out of the box.  Mint condition, which is understandably rare for a 40-year old piece.

29" high, 17" wide, and 2 1/2" deep.

Works well, and is ready to hang.

SOLD.  Thanks, Stephanie @ Chicago!