|
Flamingos . . . they are pink, quirky birds with pretty feathers and quirky beaks molded for a specific diet and eating habits. With all of their quirks, if a flamingo walked into a funky junk show we would invite them to stand smackdab in the middle of one of our displays!
Classic mid-century décor included pottery flamingos and funky mirrored framed flamingo prints signed by a guy named “Turner.” (Both, generous compliments to your pink tiled bathroom and bark cloth drapes!)
Say “Turner” out loud in antique store or at a funky junk show and many immediately conjure up iconic images of large mid-century flamingo prints.
But who was this "Turner" guy who left us with some pretty cool mid-century funky junk? Do any of us actually know "Turner’s" first name?
We do and we would like to share.
It seems Turner, of the Turner Manufacturing Company, started out in the world in Russia b y the given name August Tarkovsky.
Emigrating to the United States and settling in Chicago, August founded the Takovsky Manufacturing Company in 1886. Mr. Tarkovsky swiftly changed both the company name and his own to the "Turner Manufacturing Company" and "Gus Turner" respectively.
Some describe Gus Turner's wall accessories as “tacky” and others describe them as the ”ultimate in mid-century funky junk.” Which nest are you in?
|
