I received a catalog of sheer weirdness today: Design Toscano. Every page has a new horror or six made of resin. Let’s start with the cover, shall we?
On the cover is something called “The Subservient Dragon Glass-Topped Sculptural Table.†This is a use of the word subservient with which I am unfamiliar because the dragon is both big enough to kick my ass and sporting a decidedly menacing expression.
On page 14 are two distressing side tables with actual legs for, uh, legs. One is a pair of Caucasian legs in red pumps and the other is tall, black, stiletto boots. The tops are round smoked glass. As the catalog says, these certainly will make a statement.
On page 18 is a lovely skull with bat wings wall sculpture. Nothing says home like one of these. I think I’ll get one for every room. What’s it made of? You guessed it: resin.
Moving right along to page 7A in the sale section, there is a what? Resin wall sculpture called “The Goddess Laurel.†I find this genuinely distressing because she doesn’t really appear to have normal arms or feet. It seems her feet are roots and her arms blend into her hair as a bouquet of branches above her head. It reminds me of the scene in the movie of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus when they come upon the title character’s daughter who has had her hands cut off and replaced with twigs. It gives me chills.
Leaving the resin theme for a moment, I must tell you that on page 51 there is a “Renaissance-Style†monk’s robe. I don’t know about you but I’ve been waiting for them to come back into style.
Last but not least, on the back cover, is the “Freedom’s Pride†wall sculpture (made of—go figure—resin). Almost live! Coming at you out of the wall a full 8 inches into the room is an eagle in full pounce mode with talons extended. Nice. This is almost as comforting as the bat wing skull. It might be more comforting. Oh, it’s so difficult to decide.
Here’s the thing, I know we all have different taste preferences so this really is just my opinion. The fact that other people might love this tacky-ass crap doesn’t make me think much —er, any less of them.
Comment (1)
Hey Hillbilly,
Thanks for the Toscano shout out! I think I need to give you the back story on Toscano.
The British Museum in the early 1800′s used Italian craftsmen to make plaster (the precursor of resin) copies of classic sculptures from museums all over the world. This was before the time of cameras. These pieces would be sold to rich gents, schools and other museums for display. As the market fell off for these kind of pieces the Italian families from Luca immigrated to America with the original molds of these classic historical pieces to find a new market. Toscano was the product on one of these families. Here is one of those pieces that made the voyage over…
http://www.designtoscano.com/product/garden+statues/classic+garden+statues/marcellus+statue+-+ng31618.do
Now times and tastes have changed and Design Toscano has had to make the switch to sculptures that grab the publics attention… so to say. In 1980 Toscano was one of the first catalogers to sell gargoyles. They even direct casted the most important gargoyle in the world, Notre Dame’s legendary icon Spitter! Take that Disney!
http://www.designtoscano.com/product/code/OS69017.do
Design Toscano takes great pains in sculpting every piece with wonderful detail and quality materials (Yes, designer resin and hand painting). I should know because I am one of their staff sculptors. I am just not kissing Toscanos arse because they pay my check and buy me a Guinness at Hoiiday, I really believe in this company for the diversity of what they supply to the consumer. Niche marketing Hillbilly! Everyone cant be Wallmart. I specialize in dragons and mystic art. Design Toscano gives me a free reign to let my imagination flow and bring to life many mystical beings that inhabit my mind. Here is my favorite piece in my Design Toscano collection.
http://www.designtoscano.com/product/dragon+and+gargoyle/gargoyle+garden+statues/gaston%2C+the+gothic+climber+sculpture+-+medium+-+ng832115.do
I am working on a new sculpt for Toscano as we speak. Its a giant black raven on a ball plinth, my take on paying homage to Edgar Allen Poe. Watch Toscano for it. I hope you like it.
Lighten up on the resin thing…its better than play doe brother!
Love your blog…
Cheers!
Liam Manchester
Trackback/Pingback (1)
[...] I need to ask some questions about some of the things in this catalog, a catalog I have busted on before. [...]