| Silver-plated Brass and Penshell Turtle |
Item: 1054-168 |
Hand crafted in silver plated brass and inlaid penshell, this Maitland-Smith accessory is a proprietary design. This highly detailed brass figure of a sea turtle is cast using the age old technique of lost wax casting. Under close inspection each scale on the turtle’s head, legs and tail is faithfully realized. The lifelike pose and attitude is the work of one of our skilled sculptors.
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The back of the sea turtle is composed of hand cut and polished sections of penshell. The amber and black fleck colors are typical of juvenile penshell. It darkens to black with age. The shell is a non-endangered species found in tropical waters. Considering the fine workmanship and attention to detail, this accessory is typical of our product. VIEW PRODUCT DETAILS... |
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| Multi Shell Inlaid Chandelier with Reverse Painted Glass Panels, Black Iron Finish |
Item: 1951-195 |
Our multi-shell inlaid chandelier pays homage to the era of the gas light. New solutions to the brighter flame produced by gas gave rise to a variety of chandeliers and table lamps with translucent to opaque shades.
Our adaptation is a high quality chandelier created with a variety of hand crafted techniques. Among them are hand cut and inlaid penshell, black lip shell and violet oyster, which form the main section of the domed race track oval of the body. |
The shells are selected for their translucence and are used to create a pattern. The hand painted border is done on the back of the glass, called eglomise. The border employs the pattern of the wrought iron atop the fixture. The open strap work wrought iron is hand forged in our own workrooms.
The chandelier evokes the gas lit era through the use of hand workmanship and materials which suggest a sense of age and quality.
Often called “La Belle Epoch,” the gas lit casinos and grand hotels of the period are symbols of the era’s fame. Fixtures like our adaptation would feel quite at home in such settings.
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| Assorted Natural Shell Inlay Round Mirror Frame, Beveled Plate |
Item: 2800-131 |
The visual appeal of specimen tropical seashells provides the allure of this large shell encrusted round mirror frame. The handsome frame is crafted in our own workrooms by artisans who select each shell according to our designer’s specifications.
By using a variety of sizes and shapes, the result is an eye-appealing surface which holds the attention of the viewer.
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The shells are sourced form many parts of the south Pacific and come in a variety of shapes, colors and distinctive patterns. None of the species used are endangered, but all are durable with great eye appeal. From small and jewel like, to large and imposing, the shells transform this simple geometric shape into a highly attractive home furnishing accessory. The high quality mirror plate has a beveled edge which adds to the overall look of this unique Maitland-Smith design. VIEW PRODUCT DETAILS... |
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| Multi Colored Shell Inlaid Wooden Box with Antique Brass Accents |
Item: 1100-414 |
The simple geometric form of a box is transformed into a beautiful home furnishing by hand inlaying the surfaces with seashells. Inspired by the hard edged geometric designs of the Art Deco period, the pattern is composed of a variety of non-endangered species. The list of hand cut and inlaid shells includes ecru and white mother of pearl, violet and white oyster shell, brown and black lipshell and young penshell.
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This functional accessory has a brass handle and a brass support base with brass feet.
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| Finely Cast Antique Brass Decorative Lamp with Penshell and Oyster Shell Floral Shade |
Like most Maitland-Smith products, this unique table lamp employs a variety of materials and craft techniques. This end table sized lamp’s shade is composed of individually hand cut and inlaid translucent seashells. The lamp is inspired by the stained glass shades made by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
This labor intensive shade is patiently assembled using sections of young and mature penshell and oyster shell. The dramatic contrast of dark and young penshell against a background of oyster shell makes the pendant floral design stand out when lit. The finely cast brass features lily pads and the sub base is in grey veined solid black marble. |
Item: 1758-283 |
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| Verdigris Brass Patina Towel Holder, Black Lipshell Accents |
A touch of humor and the expected quality of Maitland-Smith products are combined in this whimsical towel holder. The gymnastic pose of the chimpanzee is convincingly interpreted in this finely detailed lost was casting.
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Item: 1258-020 |
The towel bar is inlaid with hand cut individual sections of black lipshell, a graphically marked mother of pearl shell with black edges. The ends of the bar are dressed with cast brass pineapples.
The friendly aspect of the chimpanzee is part of the charm of this primate. He is hand finished in a verdigris patina, an oxidation process which brings out the details of the solid brass casting.
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| Antique Brass and Dark Bronze Highlighted Brass Cranes Lamp, Young Tiger Penshell Inlay |
Another example of our use of hand cut and inlaid young penshell is this double standing crane table lamp. The entwined necks of the two cranes create a sculptural pose which suggests the mating dance of many water fowl. The dramatic, arabesque pose of the two animals results in a series of negative and positive spaces often found in East Asian art.
The stance of the birds’ legs is enhanced by the delicately arching vertical lines of the bamboo stalks which also provide support for the bodies of the birds. The realistic rendering of the group is created using the lost wax casting technique. Nearly four thousand years old, the process has been used when fine detail is required when casting metal.
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Item: 1758-275 |
This Maitland-Smith lighting accessory takes full advantage of the lost wax casting process. The lifelike cranes have folded wings composed of translucent penshell hand cut and fitted, piece by piece, to complement the detail of the brass sections.
The final step is to oxidize the birds in an antique patina and oxidize the base in a dark bronze patina with hand burnished highlights.
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| Dark Coconut Shell Inlay Chiffonier, Black Angus Leather, Repousse Copper Doors |
While the form of this dark coconut shell inlaid chiffonier is eighteenth century English, its use of materials is highly eclectic. The elements which recall the English eighteenth century include the overhanging top, the symmetrical doors of the cabinet and the raised feet. |
Item: 5100-115 |
The eclectic contributions include the hand cut and inlaid coconut shell, the hand worked copper repousse elephant images, one to each door and the vegetable dyed Black Angus leather on the top and side panels.
The chiffonier is a sensitive mix of the old and new. It offers a design driven point of view for clients seeking unique objects for their home or office.
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