Objects & Furnishings
from the Hand & Heart

New Arrivals

May 18, 2012

To sit or not to sit?

Shagreen Stool Table, Shagreen over wood, Shan Xi Province, China, F0401-073

Shagreen Stool Table, Shagreen over wood, Shan Xi Province, China, F0401-073The shape of this week’s new arrival suggests it could be used as either a table or a seat. While its origin is exotic, its color pleasing, and its purpose debatable, it is the material from which it is made that makes it memorable.

This piece is covered in shagreen, shark skin leather. An American newspaper once reported that shagreen is the most expensive material applied to furniture. We’re not sure this is so, but it is clearly valuable. It was first popularized by a French master leather worker in the court of Louis XV; however, it cannot be said with certainty if the French imported the use of shagreen from Asia or the other way around. By the mid-18th century it was popular all over Europe, finally falling out of favor – at least in the Western World - after the First World War. In the East, it was always regarded as a rarity, a material best applied, at least in this case, to the seat of one’s pants or the top of one’s table.

Stool or Side Table (1 of 2)
Shan Xi Province, China
Late 19th C.
Shagreen over wood
13'' DIA x 18.5'' H
$2,395

Part of our much larger collection of stools and side tables. To see more, go to beprimitive.com or click on any of the images here.

Shagreen Stool Table, Shagreen over wood, Shan Xi Province, China, F0401-073Shagreen Stool Table, Shagreen over wood, Shan Xi Province, China, F0401-073

One Great Thing, No.03 - Ghanaian Movie Posters


In this edition of One Great Thing, Glen Joffe presents Ghanaian Movie Posters.

Although at first glance the subject appears obscure, the posters are extraordinarily engaging. Painted in oil paint on opened-up flour sacks, the only canvas available to the artists who created them, they advertise "B" and "C" Hollywood horror and action movies, Bollywood movies, Kung Fu movies from the Hong Kong film industry, and oftentimes bizarre movies (by American standards) from Nigeria and Ghana. Frankly, we find the posters more interesting than the films they advertise.

The best of the world right next door!


Primitive presents exclusive as well as one-of-a-kind collections of furniture, artifacts, art, textiles, jewelry and fashion from all over the world. Whether it’s a complete room setting or a single piece of furniture; an antique or something newly made; an installation of accessories or a single spectacular item; something to be worn every day or only on special occasions; a gift for a loved one or yourself; everything offered at Primitive has a story, history, purpose and design heritage, and comes from the hand and heart.

Enter our store, warehouse or website and inside you will find a colorful mosaic of authentic collections representing over 100 cultures worldwide, brought from some of the world’s hardest to reach places; and thoughtfully crafted, exclusive proprietary products. All are presented because they are meritorious and meaningful. Yet, PRIMITIVE is more than a store or brand. It is a place for you to be a traveler and treasure hunter, to collect and connect to other people, places and times, and to adorn your life in relevant, attractive, meaningful ways.

Discover how a thought, feeling, or idea translated into an engaging, meaningful object of desire is Primitive.