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The Douglass Rosso Levanto Brass Table Lamp has a timeless character. It's an object that feels both architectural and intimate. A sophisticated design, mixing refined geometry with raw stone and shaped metal, its angular marble base anchors the design with quiet strength, while the metallic shade softens the light into a rich, ambient glow. A masterful accent to bring into any room, the Douglass Rosso Levanto Brass Table Lamp, handmade in Egypt, stands as a sculptural statement where the contrasts between stone and metal, shadow and sheen, are brought together in beautiful harmony.
Editors' Note
The Douglass Collection is named in honor of the orator, activist and icon of 19th century America, Frederick Douglass. Inspired by his 1887 visit to Egypt where the 69-year-old activist climbed the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza, this collection features artisan pieces crafted from stone and metal natural to the country. Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, a child enslaved on Holme Hill Farm in Talbot county, Maryland, Douglass was raised by his maternal grandmother. Throughout his life he remained unsure of his actual birthdate, placing 1817 as his best estimate. For the day, he chose February 14th, remembering that his mother, Harriet Bailey, liked to call him her little Valentine. Douglass’ education would begin when he was eight, starting with lessons from Sophia Auld. The short-lived lessons, which ended abruptly once Sophia’s husband became aware of them, were enough to spark a lifelong fascination with knowledge. Continuing to learn in secret — as literacy was illegal for people enslaved in Maryland at that time — Douglass would exchange food for lessons with poor white boys in the area. Between 1826 and 1838, he continued to change hands, whether through inheritance or hiring, becoming a skilled craftsman earning a salary for his work at shipyards, and meeting his eventual wife, Anna Murray, a forewoman of color. Douglass made his escape in 1838. Disguised as a sailor, he escaped Maryland via train and steamboat, eventually arriving in New York City. There he met the Black abolitionist, David Ruggles, who helped relocate Douglass and Anna — then married — to New Bedford, Massachusetts. It was there that Frederick chose the last name, “Douglass,” having traveled since his escape under the alias, “Frederick Johnson.” It was also in New Bedford that Douglass would begin his career as an orator, inspired at first by his frequent readings of The Liberator, a newspaper published by abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. In 1841, one of his speeches in New Bedford was attended by banker William C. Coffin, who invited him to speak at a convention of the Anti-Slavery Society being held in Nantucket that year. The success of the speech began his work with both the Anti-Slavery and the American Anti-Slavery Societies, and by 1845 he had published the first of his three autobiographies. The second, My Bondage and My Freedom, was published in 1855, while the third, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass was, released in 1881. The North Star, which after an 1851 merger with The Liberty Party Paper, circulated as Frederick Douglass’ Paper, until 1860. He would later found Douglass’ Monthly, which ran from 1859 – 1863, and New National Era, which circulated between 1870 and 1874. An early master of what would later come to be known as branding, Douglass made full use of his popularity and worked strategically to bolster it. This included the iconic hairstyle that he cultivated throughout his life, and his embrace of photography as a means to transform the narrative around Black people, often using his own incredible successes as a model. As a result, he is recorded as the single most photographed American of the 19th century, and among the most photographed in the world for his time.
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Douglass
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Details
The Douglass Rosso Levanto Glass Floor Lamp stands as a dialogue between raw and refined and a metaphor for the activism and advocacy of its namesake. Inspired by Frederick Douglass' 1887 visit to Egypt, the piece, handcrafted by Egyptian artisans, features a slender glass column arising from a solid piece of natural stone. The design allows light to emerge softly from within, rising through the transparent form like a quiet ascent from ground to glow. The stone base, a Rosso Levanto marble is a deep and luxurious, wine-red color, highlighted by striking veins of white and cream. Illumination rising to fill a space with beautiful natural stone and soft warm light, the Douglass Rosso Levanto Glass Floor Lamp is the perfect finishing touch your room has been waiting for. Make it the latest addition to your story of home.
Editors' Note
The Douglass Collection is named in honor of the orator, activist and icon of 19th century America, Frederick Douglass. Inspired by his 1887 visit to Egypt where the 69-year-old activist climbed the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza, this collection features artisan pieces crafted from stone and metal natural to the country. Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, a child enslaved on Holme Hill Farm in Talbot county, Maryland, Douglass was raised by his maternal grandmother. Throughout his life he remained unsure of his actual birthdate, placing 1817 as his best estimate. For the day, he chose February 14th, remembering that his mother, Harriet Bailey, liked to call him her little Valentine. Douglass’ education would begin when he was eight, starting with lessons from Sophia Auld. The short-lived lessons, which ended abruptly once Sophia’s husband became aware of them, were enough to spark a lifelong fascination with knowledge. Continuing to learn in secret — as literacy was illegal for people enslaved in Maryland at that time — Douglass would exchange food for lessons with poor white boys in the area. Between 1826 and 1838, he continued to change hands, whether through inheritance or hiring, becoming a skilled craftsman earning a salary for his work at shipyards, and meeting his eventual wife, Anna Murray, a forewoman of color. Douglass made his escape in 1838. Disguised as a sailor, he escaped Maryland via train and steamboat, eventually arriving in New York City. There he met the Black abolitionist, David Ruggles, who helped relocate Douglass and Anna — then married — to New Bedford, Massachusetts. It was there that Frederick chose the last name, “Douglass,” having traveled since his escape under the alias, “Frederick Johnson.” It was also in New Bedford that Douglass would begin his career as an orator, inspired at first by his frequent readings of The Liberator, a newspaper published by abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. In 1841, one of his speeches in New Bedford was attended by banker William C. Coffin, who invited him to speak at a convention of the Anti-Slavery Society being held in Nantucket that year. The success of the speech began his work with both the Anti-Slavery and the American Anti-Slavery Societies, and by 1845 he had published the first of his three autobiographies. The second, My Bondage and My Freedom, was published in 1855, while the third, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass was, released in 1881. The North Star, which after an 1851 merger with The Liberty Party Paper, circulated as Frederick Douglass’ Paper, until 1860. He would later found Douglass’ Monthly, which ran from 1859 – 1863, and New National Era, which circulated between 1870 and 1874. An early master of what would later come to be known as branding, Douglass made full use of his popularity and worked strategically to bolster it. This included the iconic hairstyle that he cultivated throughout his life, and his embrace of photography as a means to transform the narrative around Black people, often using his own incredible successes as a model. As a result, he is recorded as the single most photographed American of the 19th century, and among the most photographed in the world for his time.
Lighting that’s a work of art.
Details
Bringing light from above to every corner of a room, the Douglass Suspended Brass Chandelier is a study in depth and balance. Suspended by a brass chain, its dual brass rings are arranged with the inner ring elevated above the outer, creating a floating effect that gives the chandelier a sense of movement and space. Handcrafted from antique brass, the Douglass Suspended Brass Chandelier casts a warm, welcoming glow, making it an elegant addition to living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms. Its modern silhouette and layered form bring a touch of sophistication to any setting. A striking centerpiece for your favorite room, The Douglass Suspended Brass Chandelier is the perfect piece to take your decor to the next level.
Editors' Note
The Douglass Collection is named in honor of the orator, activist and icon of 19th century America, Frederick Douglass. Inspired by his 1887 visit to Egypt where the 69-year-old activist climbed the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza, this collection features artisan pieces crafted from stone and metal natural to the country. Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, a child enslaved on Holme Hill Farm in Talbot county, Maryland, Douglass was raised by his maternal grandmother. Throughout his life he remained unsure of his actual birthdate, placing 1817 as his best estimate. For the day, he chose February 14th, remembering that his mother, Harriet Bailey, liked to call him her little Valentine. Douglass’ education would begin when he was eight, starting with lessons from Sophia Auld. The short-lived lessons, which ended abruptly once Sophia’s husband became aware of them, were enough to spark a lifelong fascination with knowledge. Continuing to learn in secret — as literacy was illegal for people enslaved in Maryland at that time — Douglass would exchange food for lessons with poor white boys in the area. Between 1826 and 1838, he continued to change hands, whether through inheritance or hiring, becoming a skilled craftsman earning a salary for his work at shipyards, and meeting his eventual wife, Anna Murray, a forewoman of color. Douglass made his escape in 1838. Disguised as a sailor, he escaped Maryland via train and steamboat, eventually arriving in New York City. There he met the Black abolitionist, David Ruggles, who helped relocate Douglass and Anna — then married — to New Bedford, Massachusetts. It was there that Frederick chose the last name, “Douglass,” having traveled since his escape under the alias, “Frederick Johnson.” It was also in New Bedford that Douglass would begin his career as an orator, inspired at first by his frequent readings of The Liberator, a newspaper published by abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. In 1841, one of his speeches in New Bedford was attended by banker William C. Coffin, who invited him to speak at a convention of the Anti-Slavery Society being held in Nantucket that year. The success of the speech began his work with both the Anti-Slavery and the American Anti-Slavery Societies, and by 1845 he had published the first of his three autobiographies. The second, My Bondage and My Freedom, was published in 1855, while the third, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass was, released in 1881. The North Star, which after an 1851 merger with The Liberty Party Paper, circulated as Frederick Douglass’ Paper, until 1860. He would later found Douglass’ Monthly, which ran from 1859 – 1863, and New National Era, which circulated between 1870 and 1874. An early master of what would later come to be known as branding, Douglass made full use of his popularity and worked strategically to bolster it. This included the iconic hairstyle that he cultivated throughout his life, and his embrace of photography as a means to transform the narrative around Black people, often using his own incredible successes as a model. As a result, he is recorded as the single most photographed American of the 19th century, and among the most photographed in the world for his time.
New Arrivals
Details
The Hieratic Chocolate Pillow brings the ancient past and the present day together beautifully, adding new layers to the aesthetic of your home. Sustainably woven and printed, featuring a luxe duck feather insert, it’s body-hugging comfort is exactly what you need at the end of a long day or the start of a lazy one. Finished with sophisticated touches like its colorful piping and a custom gold zipper, it’s a magazine-worthy addition to any room. Its mesmerizing pattern, echoing the delicate brushstrokes of ancient scribes is an absolute eye-catcher. Paired with a rich brown tone in cotton-linen or sumptuous velvet, the Hieratic Chocolate Pillow is the perfect finishing touch for your favorite room. Available in cotton-linen, soft velvet, or in our outdoor eco weave fabric.
Editors' Note
The Hieratic Collection features flowing brushstrokes in a modern form, celebrating the cursive script of ancient Egypt. Hieratic is the shorthand, cursive form of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic script. Some date its development alongside that of formal hieroglyphics, a process believed to have begun as early as 3200 BC - 3000 BC. Others believe it was only after the establishment of hieroglyphic script that the need for a simplified version became clear, somewhere between 2925 and 2775 BC. Used by scribes to record on papyrus in ink, hieratic was employed frequently, and eventually solely for religious purposes. The name hieratic, which derives from the Greek hieratikos, meaning “priestly,” was given to the script by the 2nd century Christian theologian, Clement of Alexandria. By that time its function had been purely religious for nearly a millennium. During its earliest days, hieratic was strictly a form of hieroglyphic “book hand” — a simplified form of carved hieroglyphics designed to be written by hand. By the First Intermediate Period (2181 BC - 2055 BC), however, hieratic had become its own formalized script, employing features and symbols not included in hieroglyphic text, though hieroglyphic book hand, also called cursive hieroglyphics, continued to be used. For centuries following this division, hieratic served as the more utilized and, arguably, the more important script, as it was the writing form of everyday life. Hieratic was used in a variety of academic texts covering a wide range of subjects, as well as tax documents, legal texts and personal communications. Though most frequently written in ink on papyrus, hieratic characters were often pressed into clay tablets, as was common for Mesopotamian cuneiform, in parts of the country where papyrus was scarce. As such, it was typically the first writing system that students learned, education in formal hieroglyphics being reserved for later studies. Hieratic script has also been found on pottery, wood, stone and even leather. It was also used extensively in mummification rituals, the characters written on linen and other fabrics. By 650 BC, hieratic’s use for daily writing was overtaken by the derivative script, demotic, though hieratic continued its use among Egypt’s priests until the 3rd century AD. Though now entirely defunct outside of academic circles, hieratic, as one of the earliest written languages, has a profound influence over modern writing. As the direct forerunner of Proto-Sinaitic script, which in turn produced the Phoenician, Paleo-Hebrew, and Ancient South Arabian alphabets, hieratic is the ancient source of many modern writing systems, including Greek, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Arabic, Berber, English, French, Spanish, German, and more.
Details
True beauty is found in simplicity. The Douglass Brass Wall Sconce embodies that philosophy with its clean, geometric design. The understated, yet eye-catching, brass square base extends vertically, creating a structured play of light and shadow. Its sharp lines bring a modern edge, making it a strong addition to any space. Designed for hallways, corners, and bedrooms, The Douglass Brass Wall Sconce, handcrafted by Egyptian artisans, stands out without overwhelming, adding character through its solid shape and warm glow.
Editors' Note
The Douglass Collection is named in honor of the orator, activist and icon of 19th century America, Frederick Douglass. Inspired by his 1887 visit to Egypt where the 69-year-old activist climbed the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza, this collection features artisan pieces crafted from stone and metal natural to the country. Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, a child enslaved on Holme Hill Farm in Talbot county, Maryland, Douglass was raised by his maternal grandmother. Throughout his life he remained unsure of his actual birthdate, placing 1817 as his best estimate. For the day, he chose February 14th, remembering that his mother, Harriet Bailey, liked to call him her little Valentine. Douglass’ education would begin when he was eight, starting with lessons from Sophia Auld. The short-lived lessons, which ended abruptly once Sophia’s husband became aware of them, were enough to spark a lifelong fascination with knowledge. Continuing to learn in secret — as literacy was illegal for people enslaved in Maryland at that time — Douglass would exchange food for lessons with poor white boys in the area. Between 1826 and 1838, he continued to change hands, whether through inheritance or hiring, becoming a skilled craftsman earning a salary for his work at shipyards, and meeting his eventual wife, Anna Murray, a forewoman of color. Douglass made his escape in 1838. Disguised as a sailor, he escaped Maryland via train and steamboat, eventually arriving in New York City. There he met the Black abolitionist, David Ruggles, who helped relocate Douglass and Anna — then married — to New Bedford, Massachusetts. It was there that Frederick chose the last name, “Douglass,” having traveled since his escape under the alias, “Frederick Johnson.” It was also in New Bedford that Douglass would begin his career as an orator, inspired at first by his frequent readings of The Liberator, a newspaper published by abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. In 1841, one of his speeches in New Bedford was attended by banker William C. Coffin, who invited him to speak at a convention of the Anti-Slavery Society being held in Nantucket that year. The success of the speech began his work with both the Anti-Slavery and the American Anti-Slavery Societies, and by 1845 he had published the first of his three autobiographies. The second, My Bondage and My Freedom, was published in 1855, while the third, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass was, released in 1881. The North Star, which after an 1851 merger with The Liberty Party Paper, circulated as Frederick Douglass’ Paper, until 1860. He would later found Douglass’ Monthly, which ran from 1859 – 1863, and New National Era, which circulated between 1870 and 1874. An early master of what would later come to be known as branding, Douglass made full use of his popularity and worked strategically to bolster it. This included the iconic hairstyle that he cultivated throughout his life, and his embrace of photography as a means to transform the narrative around Black people, often using his own incredible successes as a model. As a result, he is recorded as the single most photographed American of the 19th century, and among the most photographed in the world for his time.
Details
This archival museum quality print of a Carl Van Vechten photo of singer, actor and activist, Eartha Kitt is presented on 100% acid free, 5.57 oz, smooth matte fine art paper. Born into difficult circumstances as Eartha Mae Keith in 1927, Kitt became one of the most recognizable faces and unforgettable voices of the 20th century. By 1945 she was a dancer with the famed Katherine Dunham Company, and her remarkable beauty and singular voice quickly led to a series of successes both in the theater and on the radio. She starred as Helen of Troy in Orson Welles' 1950 production of Faustus. In 1967, she defined Catwoman in the Batman television series. And in 1992, her sultry Lady Eloise became an iconic character in Eddie Murphy’s Boomerang. An outspoken advocate of feminism and civil rights, Kitt’s career suffered in 1968 when she made openly negative remarks about the Vietnam War at a luncheon with First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. In 1975, The New York Times reported that the CIA had compiled a dossier on Kitt at the behest of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Despite this, throughout her illustrious career Kitt recorded 17 studio albums, 8 live albums, more than 50 singles, wrote 3 autobiographies, and starred in countless films and television series. A true heroine, this reproduction print, produced in color and sustainably printed to order in the UK, is the perfect statement piece for any interior.
Editors' Note
Carl Van Vechten (1880-1964) was an iconic photographer, controversial author, and acclaimed patron of Black artists, authors and intellectuals in the 1920s. Though not a member of the African American community, he was a close friend of many of its leading figures, including, notably, Zora Neale Hurston. A mainstay of the social scene of the Harlem Renaissance, he was instrumental in furthering the careers of many such as Hurston, Langston Hughes and Paul Robeson. As a photographer, Van Vechten’s work provides an invaluable record as he photographed many stars of the Renaissance period and beyond at pivotal moments in their careers — including his 1946 portrait of W.E.B. Du Bois and 1955 image of James Baldwin — at a time when sophisticated, dignified portraiture for such figures was in short supply. At the same time, however, Van Vechten’s legacy is marred by his sense of ownership over the Black creatives with whom he socialized and collaborated, and his willingness to demean them, whether through his use of racial slurs in the naming of his Harlem-based novel, or his tendency to exoticize Black subjects through dress and pose, presenting them in ways more reflective of racial archetypes than the subject’s true nature. While Van Vechten’s work, like his friendship, has proven invaluable to the careers and legacies of many luminaries of African American culture across generations, it is also demonstrative of the complex, often fraught relationship between Black creatives, intellectuals and activists, and those who purport to be “allies.” Nevertheless, Van Vechten’s images are part of major catalogues at the Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture in New York City, and at Howard University in Washington DC. The AphroChic collection of Van Vechten’s work reproduces and colorizes some of the photographer’s most compelling portraits of Black luminaries, presenting an intersection of themes that promises to lend untold layers of meaning to each image, making them ever more striking additions to the aesthetic of any room.
Details
Experience the textural wonder of the large-scale Coral Ceramic Bowl. This shallow oblong bowl features an organic ruffled exterior and slightly sandy tone and surface. Display on its own, or feature as a dynamic accent piece.
Editors' Note
This piece is inspired by coral reefs, comprised of up to hundreds of thousands of individual, living organisms called hard-coral polyps, reefs cover only 1% of the ocean floor worldwide. Yet, as much as 25% of all sea life depends on these vital, organic structures. In fact, the bio-diversity of corals reefs is high enough for them to be considered the, “rainforests of the sea.” Coral reefs are found on nearly every side of the African continent. Most extensively, they stretch between Madagascar and the Red Sea along the east coast, while a smaller number are found around the Canary Islands on the northwest. Still, some of the most popular and frequently visited reefs are found in South Africa, where they primarily run along the KwaZulu Natal coast. In addition to supporting vast communities of marine life, the coral reefs protect costal lands — and the people who live on them — from flooding, erosion and hurricane damage, while providing a rich food supply. Yet the reefs and the ecosystems they support are extremely fragile, and human actions such blast and cyanide fishing, injection wells and overall climate change have caused severe damage, with the result that as much of 14% of the world’s coral reefs have been lost since 2009, and are expected to decline further as climate change continues unabated. A necessary part of our environment, protecting coral reefs is of the utmost importance today and into the future.
Inspiration
Read AphroChic Magazine and our Lifestyle content for editorials on lifestyle and culture from across the African Diaspora.
LIFESTYLE EDITORIALS
Lifestyle & Culture Inspiration From Across The African Diaspora
