A standout piece of mid-century modernist barware, this figural owl ice bucket by Seymour Mann is the kind of object that stops a room — bold, sculptural, and overflowing with the irreverent, design-forward spirit of 1970s entertaining culture. manufactured in Japan and manufactured under the Pewtertone Olde Tankardware line for Seymour Mann Imports in Japan, this stylized owl is rendered with the graphic confidence of the era: abstracted form, strong silhouette, and a surface finish that evokes the warmth of pewter without the weight.
Seymour Mann was a prominent American giftware and collectibles company whose Italian-designed barware and home accessories from the 1960s and 1970s have become increasingly sought-after by collectors of mid-century modernist decorative objects. The figural owl ice bucket — a recurring motif in the Seymour Mann catalog — is one of the most recognizable and characterful pieces the company produced, equally at home on a well-styled bar cart, a bookshelf, or a curated vintage vignette.
As functional as it is decorative, this piece adds instant personality and a knowing nod to the golden age of home entertaining to any interior. A rare and delightful find for lovers of mid-century design, Italian giftware, and the art of the well-dressed bar.
Details:
Maker: Seymour Mann Imports
Line: Pewtertone Olde Tankardware
Manufacturing origin: Japan
Period: Mid-20th century, 1960s
Style: Hollywood Regency / Brutalist-influenced cocktail culture
Form: Figural owl ice bucket — hinged liftoff head serves as the lid
Detail: Deep concentric target-style eyes; fine stenciled feather textures cast across the rounded body and wings
Materials: Aluminum alloy body with Pewtertone plastic finish
Condition: Signs of age, use and wear including patina, oxidation, surface markings, and general surface wear — consistent with a piece of this period and origin.