eBay watch: 1960s Mario Bellini Amanta armchair

An interesting lot on eBay that doesn't quite offer everything, but could prove a bargain - the Mario Bellini Amanta armchair.

Originally designed by Bellini in 1966 for C&B (later B&B Italia), the chair has been reissued since (although not recently), but the example on eBay is a first edition. It looks in fairly good condition, a few scuffs to the white plastic frame, but that's what you might expect from something 40+ years old.

The seller describes the corduroy seating as 'quite firm to sit on', which is no surprise - we've seen these before with an additional cushion for the seat, that looks to be missing here. But despite that, it's up for £275 on a 'Buy It Now', with the seller looking to take an offer. If you get it for the right price, it could prove a shrewd investment. Especially if the seller finds that cushion.

More images and details on the eBay website

V&A runs silent auction for Eero Aarnio Globe Chair and Peter Ghyczy Egg Chairs

Want to get some design classics in your home for (possibly) a fraction of the cost at retail? You can if you get involved with the V&A's silent auction on 15th July 2009 for an Eero Aarnio Globe Chair and some Peter Ghyczy Egg Chairs.

What's a silent auction you ask? Well, rather than all that arm waving and hammer bashing, a silent auction simply requires you to fill in the price you're willing to pay on a sheet of paper. If you bid the highest, you get it. And with reserve prices of £1,000 for the Globe Chair (usually £6,000) and between £400 and £600 for the Egg Chairs (usually £1,250), that could be a significant saving.

All proceeds of the auction go towards supporting the V&A's work, all items are sold as seen and bids (on the official sheets) must be handed in on the day of faxed. if you want a form, email customerservice@vandashop.co.uk with the title ‘Bidding Slip Request’.

V&A Shop website

Karlsson KA4622 vintage-style wall clock

You can always rely on Karlsson to come up with something retro for timekeeping - like this KA4622 vintage-style wall clock.

Take your pick from a birch (above) or walnut finish, both offering 60s-style detailing with modern-day know how, a wooden case with bold number markers, with power from a single AA battery.

Yours for £38.40.

Find out more at the Nest website

Win a Giant Anglepoise 1227 lamp

Anglepoise just dropped us a line saying that it is giving away a Giant Anglepoise 1227 lamp in vermillion (aka orange). So we thought we'd mention it on the site so you can get your name in the draw if you fancy one.

We featured this way back in 2007, when it was produced for the 70th anniversary of the original 1227. It's three times as large as an original, complete with wheels for moving around and an attention to details that only comes from handmade design.

They retail for a whopping £1,660, but Anglepoise is offering one out to coincide with the launch of its new website in August. Basically, if you sign up to its mailing list, you get in the draw to win it, with the winner being picked ' out of a barrel' at the start of October. To get your name in the frame, see below.

Enter the Giant Anglepoise 1227 lamp competition

KleinReid Eva ceramic collection

The sculptural Eva pitchers shown here are part of ongoing collaboration between the American company KleinReid and the ceramist Eva Zeisel. Zeisel is well known for her organic modernist pieces, working in Germany and Russia, before emigrating to the United States in the 1930s. KleinReid, meanwhile, is a Brooklyn based business founded by David Reid and James Klein in 1993 which prides itself on the craftsmanship of their handmade ceramics and other products. 

As proved by these pitchers, the collaboration works well. The larger of the pitchers measures just over 29cm high and the smaller 21cm meaning their sensuous curves fit snuggly together to make a statement piece. The style of Zeisel's work is reflected in the rest of the range which includes a teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl set and now also crystal. The set of two pitchers costs $285 with prices for the crystal reaching up to $1160. 

Buy them online

Steven Edrich Creation de Meubles Art Deco inspired console table

The Ligne Carré console table has Art Deco style written all over it. Made by Steven Edrich's Creation de Meuble the elegant design is made using solid wenge, with the stainless steel detailing on the three drawers adding to the machine age feel.  

As the table is made to order, it's possible to request that the table is made from another wood or even to get the design adapted into a desk. As it's a serious investment piece, costing £3625, that choice may be well appreciated. 

Order it from Bouf

George Nakashima 1940s Straight Chair for Knoll

When it comes to chairs, the George Nakashima Straight Chair is something of a work of art.

Designed back in 1948 and back in production via Knoll today, this is a mid-century gem, mixing American walnut and hickory, specifically contrasting hickory spindles against the American walnut legs and seating, all with a clear low-sheen finish to bring out the natural beauty.

Each Chair features George Nakashima's signature under the seat and sells for just under £550.

Find out more at the Nest website

Tobia Scarpa Ariette 1970s light

Tobia Scarpa's Ariette light was designed in 1973 and is still manufactured by Flos, Italy. Designed to be wall or ceiling mounted, it's similar in shape to Scarpa's Foglio light. However, while the Foglio is made from stainless steel, the Ariette has a synthetic fabric covering which allows the light from its four bulbs to diffuse through. 

Ariette comes in three different sizes, ranging from 80cm square up to 130cm square. Similarly the prices are dependent on size, starting at £136 and going up to £152.

Buy it from Panik-Design

George Nakashima mid-century Splay-Leg Table for Knoll

A late 1940s classic that looks as sharp today as it did 60 years back - the George Nakashima Splay-Leg Table.

Designed by Nakashima for Knoll back in 1948, the Splay-Leg Table is a mid-century classic, offering a table made of hickory and American walnut, solid brass hardware joints and a contrast veneered surface. Oh yes, and those 'splayed' legs that give the table its name.

Not cheap at £1,414, but almost certainly timeless.

Find out more at the Lollipop Shoppe website

Normann Copenhagen 70s-style Hang light by Rikke Hagen

Described as being influenced by 'soft retro shapes', the Normann Copenhagen Hang light should be perfect for a 70s-style home.

Carrying a touch of the space age style with all those curves, this Rikke Hagen-designed light is made of metal, with a matt finish on exterior and a gloss finish inside, finished off with a nice chunky cord.

The Danish-made lamp stands around 36.5cm high and retails for £145.

Find out more at the Bodie and Fou website