OBJECT <> PLASTIC

XXIV Compasso d’Oro 2016

2017-12-13T10:06:00.001-05:00

XXIV Compasso d’Oro (2016)
Cinzia Anguissola d’Altoè Scacchetti
Gabriella Bottini
Walter Maria de Silva
Toshiyuki Kita
Mugendi K. M’Rithaa
Marc Sadler
Yossef Schvetz

Judges’ biographies

In 2016, 13 Compasso d’Oro awards were joined by 56 Honorable Mentions, 3 prizes and 9 certificates for the Targa Giovani, and 12 career awards, of which 9 were assigned to Italian designers and entrepreneurs, and three to international designers.

Premi Compasso d’Oro

5MM, Giampiero Castagnoli, Marco Fagioli, and Emanuel Gargano. Treemme Rubinetterie.

Ascent, Daniel Rybakken. Luceplan.

Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi, Giorgio Palù and Michele Bianchi. Fondazione Giovanni Arvedi e Luciana Buschini.

Design as a Development tool, di Giulio Vinaccia and Valerio Vinaccia. UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

Ferrari – FXX K, Flavio Manzoni – Ferrari Design with Werner Gruber – Ferrari Design. Ferrari.

FlaP, Alberto Meda and Francesco Meda. Caimi Brevetti.

Lucetta, Emanuele Pizzolorusso. Palomar.

Monokini, Francesco Paszkowski Design (exterior), Alberto Mancini Design (interior), Baglietto (naval architecture). Baglietto.

OK, Konstantin Grcic. Flos.

Omnia, Technogym Design Center. Technogym.

Ossidiana, Mario Trimarchi. Alessi.

Twin Gate, R&D Grivel with Maurizio Gallo. Grivel.

Vela, Lievore Altherr Molina. Tecno.

Premi Compasso d’Oro alla Carriera

Carlo Bartoli
Luciano Benetton
Ugo La Pietra
Fabio Lenci
Antonio Macchi Cassia
Ezio Manzini
Franco Moschini
Roberto Pezzetta
Rodrigo Rodriquez

Premi Compasso d’Oro Internazionale

Ron Arad
James Dyson
Makio Hasuike

Wilardy cheese and mouse

2017-11-26T08:51:00.001-05:00

I’ve previously posted about Wilardy fruit, but here is an amazing piece in the same vein. Here is a Wilardy Lucite cheese block with little gold mouse. Mouse tail moves. Original Wilardy sticker. Measures approximately 5-1/2” length by 3” height by 3-3/4” across. Minor surface scratches from age. eBay item 152624525042 is $52.49.

Wilardy cheese block with gold mouse.

Wilardy sticker.

salt cellar

2017-11-25T11:34:00.001-05:00

Here is a salt cellar with flippy top in gold and green. Unmarked. Measures 10 cm height, 14 cm wide, and 8 cm deep. eBay item 232545908159 selling for AU$17.50 (US$13.34). From Australia.

Utensilo-like wall organizer

2017-11-24T11:47:00.001-05:00

Here is a Utensilo-like wall organizer with an accompanying accordion hanging rack. The wall organizer is modular. There are pegs that allow the user to rearrange the organizer. The pair sold for $48.00 on eBay.

Black melamine planter

2017-11-23T12:45:00.001-05:00

Here is a black melamine planter, unmarked. Great form. Measures 11-1/2 by 5-1/4” by 4”. eBay item 132396984574, offered at $22.99 plus shipping.

Enzo Mari cylinder sculpture

2017-11-21T16:32:00.001-05:00

Similar to many of Mari’s scuptures of the late 50s and early 60s for Danese is this cylinder. Inside the cylinder is a cube with black dots on the faces. The cylinder measures approximately 3 1/4 in height by 4” in diameter. The suspended cube has 16 black dots on each side, evenly spaced, and the same on each side. Signed Enzo Mari within cylinder.

Auction ended October 29, 2017 at 7:15PM. 5 bidders placed 14 bids and the piece sold for $1284.00. Condition was described as “Considerable surface scratching and a couple shallow nicks but nothing major or irreparable.”

Enzo Mari cylinder, front view.

Enzo Mari cylinder, above view.

ENZO MARI, signed within cylinder.

Two piece Lucite clock

2017-07-25T10:28:00.001-04:00

Vintage wall clock that made of a colored thick acrylic/lucite plastic. Has racing stripes of gray-silver-white-black. Each panel measures 12” square.

Sold May 7, 2017 for $35.oo plus shipping.

Two piece clock, front.

Clock mechanism. Takes one C battery.

yellow watering can

2017-04-03T10:40:00.001-04:00

Vintage ornate yellow watering can with black handle. The watering can measures 15-1/4" from spout to handle. 9-1/4" tall to the top of the handle. The diameter of the container at the base is about 5-1/4". Unmarked.

Sold February 1, 2017 for $16.99 plus shipping.

Yellow watering can.

Yellow watering can, handle detail.

Yellow watering can, unmarked bottom.

red makeup holder stand with mirror

2017-03-25T12:32:00.001-04:00

Here is a space age make up module that acts as a holder and stand.

Sold March 10, 2017 on eBay for $28.95 plus shipping.

Randolph vanity stool | LeisureMod

2016-07-03T08:34:00.001-04:00

Here is the Randolph vanity stool by LeisureMod. LeisureMod is a direct importer and manufacturer of quality home and office furnishings.

The Randolph vanity stool is made of polycarbonate in black, white, red, orange, and green. The finish is matte and slightly textured. Though it is sold as a stool, it is extremely versatile. The stool can be used as a side table, a convenient footrest, or even a coffee table for small spaces. It is also stackable. The base also provides a convenient cubby for magazines or books. It can be used indoors or out. It appears that the stool was first put on sale in 2014, but I couldn’t find further information or a designer.

The stool is available through sellers on eBay for $69, from retailers at $80 to $110.

The stool measures 17” in height and has a triangular top that is 15-3/4” by 15-1/2”. It weighs about 7 pounds.

Schematic of LeisureMod Randolph vanity stool.

Two side views of the LeisureMod Randolph vanity stool. The coffee mug and coaster are provided for scale. Please forgive the wires, I’m working on hiding them!

Top view of LeisureMod Randolph vanity stool.

Front view of LeisureMod Randolph vanity stool.

Rear view of LeisureMod Randolph vanity stool.

Sëmk Design wall or desk clock

2016-03-09T08:10:00.001-05:00

Here is a Sëmk Design wall or desk clock. Marked Sëmk Design. Can be hung on the wall or set on a table or desk for alternative viewing. White angled plastic body with black details. The center ring turns and is the second hand. Takes a single AA battery. Measures 7” diameter by 4” depth.

eBay item 191807251958 ended February 19, 2016 at 10:28AM. The clock was listed at $85 but sold at best offer.

The imprint on the back of the clock reads:

Instruction:
1. Insert one AA battery into the slot
2. Set the time by turning the button in either direction
Sëmk design

Telephone handset bookends

2016-03-08T07:35:00.001-05:00

Here is a pair of white telephone handset bookends. The heavy bases of the bookends appear to be marble. The plastic is yellowed, as is typical for white plastic of the era, but otherwise good condition. Each measures approximately 9” height by 2-1/2” width by 6” length.

eBay item 321979723781 ended on January 23, 2016 at 10:09AM. The bookends were listed at $150 but sold at best offer.

l’Art Logerie Lucite wall clock

2015-11-02T08:51:00.001-05:00

Here is a brown Lucite wall clock with large, decorative white numerals. The clock measures approximately 10” by 10” square. Uses one C size battery.

eBay item 262039405172 sold on September 30, 2015 at 8:47PM for $49.99 from Montreal, Canada.

L'art Logerie Lucite wall clock, front.

L'art Logerie Lucite wall clock back, with mechanism.

L'art Logerie logo.

Model 534 Food Preparer | Varco, France

2015-10-30T09:39:00.000-04:00

The Model 534 Food Processor by Varco, France (also Moulinex, as some models have the Moulinex logo on the side) is a small food processor or grinder. Good condition examples typically sell for $20 to 40. The food preparer measures approximately 7-1/4” height and 3-3/4” diameter.

Varco “The Electric Mincer for herbs, spices & much more” with box and instructions. The box is 7-1/2” height by 4” deep and wide. Image source: etsy.com user MyBarn.

Varco 534 Food Preparer with Moulinex logo.

The food preparer consists of an avocado green cup with a textured exterior that contains the blade and sits inside a white housing. A circle is cut out of the white housing to expose the textured green exterior of the cup. A top sits over the white housing and these two parts fit into the base of the preparer.

Top view of the Varco 534 Food Preparer.

The Varco 534 Food Preparer separated into parts. Note European plug.

Example base of Varco 534 Food Preparer. For use in the United States. This imprint reads:

VARCO Inc.
MODEL 534
120V AC 60Hz
150W
MADE IN FRANCE
FOOD PREPARER
LISTED 883E
HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

On the opposite side of the base appears a code number that changes and the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) logo.

Example base of Varco 534 Food Preparer. With European plug.

Domopak International desktop string holder and dispenser | Domopak International, Italy

2015-10-27T11:15:00.002-04:00

Here is a two piece desktop string holder and dispenser from Domopak International, Italy in white. There is a cutter at the top. Measures 3-5/8" height by 3” diameter. eBay item 311456953409 sold for $13.95.

Two piece plastic string holder with a ball of string.

Side and front views of string holder.

Base of string holder, with imprint which reads:

in a circle around the edge of the base

DOMOPAK INTERNATIONAL ⋅ PATENT AND TRADEMARK ⋅ MADE IN ITALY

and with centered instructions

INSERITE I GOMITOLI DOMOPAK
PUT DOMOPAK STRING BALLS
METTEZ LES PELOTES DOMOPAK
FÜGEN SIE DOMOPAK-KNÄUEL MIT EIN

Unknown object

2015-10-27T08:30:00.001-04:00

E. P. posted the following object and comment to the ObjectPlastic Facebook page. Does anyone have any speculation as to maker and age? Please comment below!

Any thoughts on this piece? Trying to determine maker and age. No markings -- Would appreciate any opinions.

Unknown object

2015-10-26T10:57:00.001-04:00

T. H. from Las Vegas, Nevada messaged me wondering about this object. It looks like some kind of toolbox to me, but would definitely like to know more about it. Do you know something? Have a guess? Please feel free to speculate in the comments below!

I just found a piece today while going through my grandfather’s old shop. I was trying to track its origin of the item down, but I have yet to find anything similar at all. I thought maybe I would see if you might know of any decent online resources that might exist for helping people identify items such as this. I would love to know what it's original use was. I have attached a picture for reference, and the only markings on it is a simple “Made in Denmark” molded into it's bottom.

Aluminum and acrylic wall sculptures

2015-10-26T09:59:00.001-04:00

Here is a pair of artistic, modern architectural wall relief sculptures made of acrylic and aluminum. They each measure approximately 20-1/2” square and are in excellent condition. Unmarked. The sculptures look like highly stylized stained glass, in metal and red, orange, yellow, and blue. One is a complicated design and the other is much simpler.

eBay item 251942515936 sold in August, 2015 for $699.00.

The two sculptures.

Both sculptures together to show relative scale.

Lucite knife block 16 slot

2015-08-24T10:11:00.001-04:00

Lucite acrylic knife block. Measures 11” height by 5-1/2” width by 11” depth.

eBay item 161772398249 sold July 30, 2015 at 6:29PM. Three bidders placed 6 bids and the knife block sold for $76.99 plus shipping.

The knife block without knives inserted.

The knife block with knives inserted.

witch and jack-o-lantern Halloween candy dish | Rosbro Plastics, United States

2015-07-20T13:05:00.000-04:00

Here is a witch and jack-o-lantern Halloween candy holder made by Rosbro Plastics, Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Rosbro plastics is well known for their holiday and seasonal decorations. This object measures approximately 4” in height. The base of the dish is marked:

ROSBRO PLASTICS
PROV. R.I.

Three bidders placed 8 bids on the candy dish, which sold for $14.50 on February 2, 2015 at 20:06:36 PST.

Torre wall rack valet | Andries and Hiroko van Onck | Inipress for Magis | Italy

2015-05-21T08:48:00.000-04:00

Andries van Onck was born in Amsterdam in 1928. Amongst his early teachers were Gerrit Thomas Rietveld from the Dutch De Stijl group; later he studied in Ulm at the Hochschule für Gestaltung with Tomas Maldonado, Walter Zeischegg, and Max Bill. In 1959 he started as a designer at Olivetti in Italy as an assistant to Ettore Sottsass. In 1965 he opened his own studio in Milan, where his wife, Hiroko Takeda. later joined him. The pair has created products in many different sectors, including household appliances, furniture, machine tools and electronic equipment. Andries van Onck has an extensive website and says of his trade:

“From the very start I am also interested in the theoretical aspects of design, such as design language, morphology and semiotics, and I spend much time as a teacher, to write articles and even two books.”

Hiroko Takeda was born in 1945. She graduated from the Tokyo Academy. Between 1968 and 1972, she cooperated with various Japanese furniture design companies. Since 1972, she has been living in Italy with Andries Van Onck. She has designed household appliances for Zanussi and Bertazzoni, intercoms and videophones for Amplyvox, cutlery for Serafino Zani, and furniture and accessories for Magis.

In collaboration, they won an award at the XI Compasso d’Oro (1979) for their Habitat switches. Both also remain extremely active teachers of design.

Here is the Torre wall rack valet by Andries and Hiroko van Onck for Inipress for Magis in red. The rack is versatile and adjustable, featuring four hooks that flip down and eight, immobile hooks at the top of the rack located between the flip down hooks. The Torre wall rack measures 23-1/2” length by 3-1/8” height by 1-3/4” depth. Image source: eBay.

Front and back of the Torre wall rack.

Detail of the Torre wall rack.

Torre wall rack, imprint.

References

Andries & Hiroko van Onck. Retrieved May21, 2015 from http://www.orangeskin.com/about/designer/andries-hiroko-van-onck

Design theory and practice. Retrieved May 21, 2015 from http://www.andriesvanonck.com

X-Rated watch (model GB406) | Swatch AG | Biel, Switzerland | 1987

2015-05-14T14:29:00.000-04:00

The name “Swatch” is a portmanteau of “second” and “watch” that was coined by Nichole Lopez. The Swatch watch was introduced with the idea of watches being casual, fun, and relatively disposable accessories. Swatch began development in the early 1980s under the leadership of the then CEO of ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse (ETA SA Swiss Watch Manufacturer), Ernst Thomke with a small team of watch engineers led by Elmar Mock and Jacques Müller.

Swatch was originally intended to re-capture entry level market share lost by Swiss manufacturers during the “quartz crisis” and the subsequent growth of companies such as Seiko and Citizen in the 1960s and 1970s. During this time, accurate, quartz crystal based digital timepieces became commonplace and had the advantage of being inexpensive. The launch of the Swatch brand in 1983 was marked by a combination of bold new styling, hip fashionable design, and slick marketing. Swatch was and remains an affordable, Swiss made, plastic watch that turned the watch world upside down.

I really could pick any early Swatch model for this post, but there’s one that holds a special place in my heart: the X-Rated. That’s the one with the big bold “X” on it. It was given model GB406 by Swatch AG. The association between the watch and the straightedge hardcore/punk bands and kids was almost immediate and continues to this day, almost 30 years later.

The front of the watch reads © SWATCH AG 1987 in an arc across the top and swatch/SWISS across the bottom. There are white hour and minute hands and a red second hand. A date indicator is in the three o’clock position. Image source: delcamp.net

The X-Rated swatch with case and instructions. Image source: delcamp.net

Chain of Strength (New York, 1988). Image source: Double Cross XX.

I always liked the design of the X-Rated and they always took great pictures – take a look at Chain of Strength above. Even though I wasn’t the type to X up, one of these gems was always on my wish list. First wave hardcore was before my time and the X-Rated watch was already expensive when I got around to wanting one. Really, who am I kidding? I would still love having one of these today, even though I enjoy an occasional intoxicating beverage (Note: I swear to be be true til ~~death~~ I take off the watch).

Excellent condition X-Rated Swatches are difficult to come by and today can sell upwards of $500 with original band, case, and instruction sheet. Beware though, as deceptive fakes exist. For example, a less valuable watch can have its face removed and be swapped with a counterfeit X face. There are also abundant low cost knockoffs if having the real thing isn’t all that important.

An example of the back of an X-Rated Swatch. Image source: eBay. While I have seen other code numbers than 7454-P, This one reads:

7454-P
PATENTED WATERRESISTANT

And to the left of the battery:

SWISS MADE
755
BATTERY
11,60x3,10
1,55 V

Corey Feldman wears an X-Rated Swatch in the opening minutes of the 1989 film Dream a Little Dream. Yes, Corey Feldman.

References

Swatch. Retrieved May 14, 2015 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swatch

Swatch History: The amazing adventures of the ‘SECOND WATCH’. Retrieved May 14, 2015 from http://www.swatch.com/zz_en/about/history.html

rocket cocktail shaker | Sterilite Corporation, United Plastics Corporation

2015-05-02T07:25:00.000-04:00

Here is a vintage, space age (obviously!) cocktail shaker marked Steri-lite and United Plastics Corporation. The rocket has a yellow top, a red body, and yellow base. The rocket base features four fins and is free standing. The shaker measures 9” in height and has a hinged cap at its capsule top that is used to pour out your drinks.

eBay item 191487719506 sold January 26, 2015 at 3:07PM (United States). Six bidders placed 15 bids on the cocktail shaker. The shaker sold for $67.66 plus $6.00 shipping.

The rocket is marked on the bottom: Steri-lite (in script), around the base: FITCHBURG MASS / USA UNITED / PLASTIC CORP and vertically PAT PEND and 2. The numeral 2 is presumably a mold number.

The Steri-lite mark refers to the Sterilite Corporation, which was founded in 1939 as a partnership between Saul and Edward Stone and Earl Tupper (yes, the Tupper of Tupperware fame) and at the time was located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. United Plastics Corporation has been a leader in the manufacturing of quality plastic products since 1946.

References

The Sterilite Story: Who We Are. Retrieved February 25, 2015 from http://www.sterilite.com/about_sterilite.html

United Plastics Corporation. Retrieved February 25, 2015 from http://www.unitedplastics.com/

3084A, 3084B, 3084C, 3084D, 3085, and 3085A vases | Enzo Mari | Danese, Italy | 1969

2015-04-24T10:39:00.000-04:00

I have seen boxes for the reissue of this vase but never an original. Here is an original box for some of the vacuum formed PVC vases by Enzo Mari for Danese, Italy. On the side panel, it shows the vase models 3084A, 3084B, 3084C, 3084D, 3085, and 3085A.

eBay item 281631608044 ended March 21, 2015 at 11:17AM (United Kingdom) and sold for £430.00 ($647.32). Three bidders placed 3 bids on the vase.

The vase that was sold was a model 3084C in the straw color, in like new condition.

10	UTEN.SILO I by Dorothee Maurer-Becker for Studio M. Big-sized pocket protector. Posted November, 2012. Last year #7
9	Selene stacking chair by Vico Magistretti. Clean lines, slick chair. Posted December, 2011.
8	Ero\|s\| chair by Philippe Starck. Reminds me of a martini glass where you get to be the olive. Posted January, 2011.
7	La Bomba picnic set by Villeroy & Boch. Picnic in high style. Posted December, 2009.
6	Allegro door chime. They actually do still make ‘em like this! Ding dong! Last year #9 Posted August, 2010.
5	Parentesi lamp installation instructions. A beautiful lamp that can be a challenge to install. Last year #2. Posted February, 2012.
4	Videosphere television by JVC. From a time when high technology meant “look, it’s in black and white.” Last year #3 Posted May, 2013.
3	Radio Cubo (model TS 502) by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper. A stylish way to listen to tunes you don’t get to pick. Last year #5. Posted November, 2012.
2	Hot Bertaa kettle by Philippe Starck. Has anyone ever actually tried to use this thing? Last year #4. Posted March, 2009.
1	Rougier tube lamp by Rougier. Still, yes still, the most popular lamp in the galaxy. Last year #1. Posted February, 2009.

OBJECT <> PLASTIC

XXIV Compasso d’Oro 2016

Wilardy cheese and mouse

salt cellar

Utensilo-like wall organizer

Black melamine planter

Enzo Mari cylinder sculpture

Two piece Lucite clock

yellow watering can

red makeup holder stand with mirror

Randolph vanity stool | LeisureMod

Sëmk Design wall or desk clock

Telephone handset bookends

Top 10 Posts of 2015

l’Art Logerie Lucite wall clock

Model 534 Food Preparer | Varco, France

Domopak International desktop string holder and dispenser | Domopak International, Italy

Unknown object

Unknown object

Aluminum and acrylic wall sculptures

Lucite knife block 16 slot

witch and jack-o-lantern Halloween candy dish | Rosbro Plastics, United States

Torre wall rack valet | Andries and Hiroko van Onck | Inipress for Magis | Italy

X-Rated watch (model GB406) | Swatch AG | Biel, Switzerland | 1987

rocket cocktail shaker | Sterilite Corporation, United Plastics Corporation

3084A, 3084B, 3084C, 3084D, 3085, and 3085A vases | Enzo Mari | Danese, Italy | 1969