The World of Interiors July 2021

1 You could be forgiven for thinking that these tea towels pre-date dishwashers. In fact, ‘Cherry’ (£25) and ‘Bumblebee Primrose’ (£38) are old patterns from Stamperia Bertozzi’s archive (WoI May 2014) that are hand-block-printed today on vintage hemp linen and organic linen respectively. Ring Allóra on 020 3701 4076, or visit allorashop.com. 2 Tune in to Cassina for yet more products by the great and good of design. The prototype for Franco Albini’s ‘Radio in Cristallo’ (£5,843) came about when he received a wooden model that so offended his sensibilities he took it apart and rebuilt it, keeping only the essentials. Also shown: Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s ‘Le Due Facce della Luna’ cutlery set reproduced in partnership with San Lorenzo (£237 for a tea/coffee scoop). Visit cassina.com. 3 Every colour under the…

THE HUMAN TOUCH: MAKING ART, LEAVING TRACES (by Elenor Ling et al; Paul Holberton, rrp £35) Events in the last 18 months, as the foreword points out, have made this book all the more pertinent. Naturally, the Fitzwilliam Museum exhibition it accompanies was delayed by the pandemic, which has turned physical contact into something we both long for and fear. This ambivalent attitude is not unique to the present. The book’s section on sexual touch analyses historic images laden with guilt and references to venereal disease, while a bronze nude with much-rubbed breasts captures domineering male desire. Only Judy Chicago’s print based on the biblical Song of Songs displays a healthy equality, in a linear, pared-down style that illustrates touch without being very tactile itself. Indeed, this book is not much…

ONLINE ONLY UNTIL 12 JULY DIGITAL DECORATIVE SPRING EDIT 2021. Antiques, art and vintage design are all but a click away. Browsers not only welcome but essential here… Details: 020 7616 9327; decorativefair.com. 11-20 JUNE ART WORKERS’ GUILD AUCTION. Guildsmen’s goods go under the hammer to raise funds for an outreach programme supporting education in visual arts and crafts. Details: artworkersguild.org. 16 JUNE ALFRED WALLIS: ARTIST AND MARINER. Bob along, like one of the artist’s jaunty fishing vessels, to this KettleYard’s online talk by Robert Jones, author of a book about him. Details: kettlesyard.co.uk. 24-27 JUNE MASTERPIECE. A (virtual) roll-call of international dealers in art, design, furniture and jewellery. Details: masterpiecefair.com. BRITAIN ONGOING STRAWBERRY HILL, 268 WALDEGRAVE RD, TWICKENHAM HOMECOMING. Strawberry Hill forever: a group portrait of Catherine de’ Medici and her children has just taken…