In the black

Falling in love with the black glass hand vase of the previous blog has really highlighted that the black market is a great place to be.

The longtime favourite of fashionistas around the world, black is a colour I am loving for interiors, be it as accent or a dramatic dominant.
Not that it's new - just coming out of the dark.

   

Whether in furniture, curtains, cushions or lamps, there are no black marks against this shade.

 

An unlikely choice for a Colour Consultant, perhaps, given the vastness I have to choose from. 

But one that never seems wrong.

Darkening the doors has never been so positive, this moody hue bringing with it a sense of luxury and sophistication that is hard to compare.

And top of my black list are these fabulous urn shaped vases.



Of classical form with garlands in relief, these hand made Italian ceramics speak of antiquity while having a completely contemporary matt black finish.

So now. So chic. Total black beauty.

Victorian hand-me-down

                                                                                        

Life at Becker Minty has been action packed, the inspiration coming so thick and fast that my blogging has not been able to keep up with the pace. But finally this vase has burst through the crowd to lend me a hand, and shake things up again.

Hailing from England, and dating from the the latter part of the 19th century this black glass vase was part of a general wave. More often seen in jewellery, particularly jet, the carved hand was a popular motif. The hardest part of the human body to portray, the hand gives artists and artisans an opportunity to demonstrate their skill. And when executed well it is a beautiful symbol of friendship and offering. Exactly what the hand is holding symbolises the offering. And in the case of this Victorian black glass vase, it is a cornucopia: horn of plenty, symbolising fruitful abundance. The perfect vessel for a fulsome floral bouquet,  this vase pre-dates the Statue of Liberty (whose hand bears an uncanny resemblance!), and whether holding a torch or a flower, each is an elegant statement, both victorious and triumphant.

I think that deserves a hand.