Bjorn Wiinblad

This carefully hand-built and exquisitely illustrated work is by celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, textiles, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006). This particular piece was created for Bjorn Wiinblad's very first ceramic workshop in Kongens Lyngby [tr. 'the King's Heather Town'], Denmark. 

The interconnecting form of this piece is that of a sweet songbird with the head cleverly forming the salt and pepper shaker and the body providing two small wells to hold liquids such as oil and vinegar. Highly romantic, Wiinblad applied his exceptional creativity and imagination to tactile details beyond the overall bird body. From the mildly raised eyes to the swelling wings, care is given down to the tiny crest atop the bird's head.

Handpainted onto the form is the blue-on-white illustrated design with beautifully intricate detailing with tiny rosettes, tendrils, and thistles adorning the body to create this highly tactile mythical songbird. 

Stylistically timeless, the design and excellent condition of this piece as well as Wiinblad's full signature with the rare beret-wearing artist caricature makes it a particularly rare and noteworthy find of Wiinblad's early work. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. There is mild wear that is most evident in the form of faint movement marks on the underside that is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside bears the signature 'Bjorn Wiinblad, 56 [year of production], DANMARK' and artist caricature.

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 4.1" / 10.3 cm (from base to rim) x width c. 2.4" / 6.2 cm (across widest point). Length: c. 5.2" / 13.3 cm (longest point). Base: c. 2" / 5 cm x c. 2.3" / 5.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 200 g

NOTES
Cruet will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006) Born in 1918 in Copenhagen, Bjorn Wiinblad began his training and path to success in 1935. Wiinblad sought the path to his first passion of art and enrolled in graphic school at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, debuting in 1945 with an extensive exhibition in Palægade, Copenhagen. He met and became firm friends with Jacob E. Bang around this time, who engaged him to work for Nymølle Pottery.

From the beginnings at Nymolle, Wiinblad received multiple commissions, from designing textile and embroidery patterns to drawing posters, books, and magazine illustrations. Wiinblad drew for the United Nations in Paris and designed costumes and stages for several theatrical performances. His fame grew in Denmark but soon would extend to Norway and Sweden and in 1950 his ceramics were exhibited at Bonnier's in New York, which specialised in Scandinavian design.

Wiinblad's recognition and acclaim would continue to grow, bringing him a silver medal at the first international ceramics festival in 1955 in Cannes, France, and appointment as artistic director for Rosenthal in 1960. During the 1960s, Wiinblad would become the owner of a number of ceramic studios including Vaerksted, Nymolle, and Det Blaa Hus. He would make Det Blaa Hus his workshop and home until his death in 2006.

Wiinblad's successes did not stop in the Sixties, his continued achievements and international success were extensively documented and celebrated: https://www.rosendahl.com/en/intl/bjoern-wiinblad/stories/about-bjorn-wiinblad

This elegantly whimsical duo of hand-painted and sculpted ceramic art is by celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006). Wiinblad often designed for a number of big names as well as the pottery studios he owned, such as Vaerksted, Nymolle, and Det Blaa Hus. These studio works were crafted at his own Vaerksted [Workshop] studio, which Wiinblad established in 1952 in Copenhagen. Vaerksted pieces by Wiinblad show his painting skills at their best – conveying an emotion or feeling with just a few brushstrokes or marks.

Those familiar with Wiinblads illustrative work will be familiar with the exquisite level of detail his imagination goes to. This richness of detail is brought to life across many elements of this sculpture; such as the individually shaped, stylised decor resting in the figure's hat and the careful attention in the intricate hand-painted patterns decorating the piece and attention given even when illustrating eyelashes.

CONDITION
Superb.
- Forår/Spring/M20 Figure: There are 2 negligible chips to the birds at the base of the dress which do not affect the overall display quality.
- Efterår/Fall/Autumn/M22 Figure: There is 1 negligible flake on the nose and minor repair behind the flower under the chin which do not affect the overall display quality.

Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of each piece bears Wiinblad's 'BW' monogram, the model numbers of 'M20' and 'M22', dated with '84' and finally, denoted with 'Forår' and 'Efterår'.

MEASUREMENTS
- Forår M20 Height: c. 13.8" / 35 cm tall (from base to tallest point, including hat) x c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm diameter (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 3.2" / 8.2 cm (from front to back).
- Efterår M22 Height: c. 12.6" / 32 cm tall (from base to tallest point, including hat) x c. 4.5" / 11.5 cm diameter (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 3.3" / 8.3 cm (from front to back).
- Unpackaged weight [Pair]: c. 1.3 kg / 1,335 g

NOTES
Sculptures will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Born in 1918 in Copenhagen, Bjorn Wiinblad began his training and path to success in 1935. Wiinblad sought the path to his first passion of art and enrolled in graphic school at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, debuting in 1945 with an extensive exhibition in Palægade, Copenhagen. He met and became firm friends Jacob E. Bang around this time, who engaged him to work for Nymølle Pottery.

From the beginnings at Nymolle, Wiinblad received multiple commissions, from designing textile and embroidery patterns to drawing posters, book and magazine illustrations. Wiinblad drew for the United Nations in Paris and designed costumes and stages for several theatrical performances. His fame grew in Denmark but soon would extend to Norway and Sweden and in 1950 his ceramics were exhibited at Bonnier's in New York, which specialised in Scandinavian design.

Wiinblad's recognition and acclaim would continue to grow, bringing him a silver medal at the first international ceramics festival in 1955 in Cannes, France and appointment as artistic director for Rosenthal in 1960. During the 1960s, Wiinblad would become owner to a number of ceramic studios including Vaerksted, Nymolle and Det Blaa Hus. He would make Det Blaa Hus his workshop and home until his death in 2006.

Wiinblad's successes did not stop in the Sixties, his continued achievements and international success were extensively documented and celebrated on the dedicated website: https://www.bjornwiinblad-denmark.dk/om-bjoern-wiinblad