Cowan’s, the premier auction house in Cincinnati, Ohio, is holding a Fine & Decorative Arts sale October 2-3. Included in this mishmash of English and Continental furniture, paintings, and ceramics is a rare eighteenth-century engraved surveyor’s compass made by Isaac Chandlee of Maryland (lot 240) and a pair of late nineteenth century sailor-made carved ivory canes (lot 342). Preview the entire sale in person from Wednesday September 30 to Saturday October 3 or online at www.cowans.com.

The Magazine Antiques casts its watchful eye on the Homewood Museum, a “great estate” in Baltimore, MD. Built from 1800 to 1806, the home was designed after a Palladian 5 part plan. The land was originally a gift from Charles Carrol, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of America’s wealthiest blokes, for his son (Charles II). Today the home is interpreted (from a decorative arts perspective) from an 1825 inventory. Visit the museums site for more information.

Some interior shots after the jump.

Finding balance between art object and functional design is the value behind Strala Design. Based in Zurich, there is an element of precision (a great Swiss trait) to decorative arts that blend traditional craft with contemporary invention. These are not simple tasks, but when well conceived the finished product can achieve that feel.

More of Strala’s newest designs after the jump.

One of the most beautifully conceived mansions of the Gilded Age, the Neumours Mansion in Wilmington, DE, has reopened to the public after three years of extensive renovation. Alfred i du Pont built the house, after falling out with a few members of his clan, modeling it after Versailles. While several other du Pont family members have impressive homes in the area, nothing beats Alfred’s for vision and execution. Visit the Washington Post’s slide show for a more thorough tour.

A few more looks at Neumours after the jump.

“OnOff” is the first lighting design project by Japanese brand Rezon. These rectangular lamps work either freestanding or hanging. Illustrations are printed to the outside, so when unlit they remain visible. Once the lights go on, the interior illustration is exposed generating a warmer feel throughout. “OnOff” was recipient of the Good Design award in 2006. Learn more at Behance.

Detail of one lamp after the jump.

It’s Nice That tips us to Modern 50. More than a webshop, the site is an archive of treasures from across the globe. Furniture, housewares, sporting equipment, oddities, ephemera… just about everything. From mid-century design to 1980s WWF Figurines, Modern 50 has some wonderful objects – all of which are photographed with brilliant detail. A fantastic way of exploring the past, and adding to ones collection.

A few things that caught the eye looking through after the jump.

For July, Art In the Age of Mechanical Reproduction celebrates the history of the Hex sign. A common motif in Pennsylvania German decorative arts, the Hex sign has become a symbol of joy. The exhibition includes artifacts on loan from Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center, along with new interpretations of the Hex.

Art in the Age, 116 N. 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

Designed by Merkx+Girod, the interiors and new exhibition of the Hermitage Museum’s Amsterdam satellite space opened to the public this week. The exhibition halls and especially the display of garments are magnificent. Well fitting of the heritage of the collection and the environment itself. Head to Dezeen for a full look.

More direct gallery shots after the jump.

Designed in 1961 by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and Achille Castiglioni, the Splugen Brau Suspension Lamp is constructed of polished spun aluminum. The lamp a single 100 watt silver bowl incandescent bulb. Manufactured by Flos in Italy. The Splugen Brau Suspension Lamp is available from Moss.

Celebrating 275 years of brotherhood, the National Heritage Museum has mounted The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts. The exhibition explores the history of Freemasonry in the Western Hemisphere through objects and artifacts collected over three centuries. The people, places, and events that form the Masonic story are pulled together by the selected material. The Bee has a full review of the exhibition which includes a concise primer on the brotherhood.

Select objects from the exhibition follow.