Ceramics

This stunning work of art by Roger Guerin hints at Northwest Pacific tribal symbolism with the abstract bear and jaybird decor. This hand-thrown vase is an outstanding example of his work, featuring unusual spouts and additions to its shape as well as hand-incised decorations offers high artistic value.

This piece is hand-glazed with a rich mix of earth tones and shades of metallic cobalt blue, copper, pale green, deep and light browns. The special technique of salt glazing gives beautifully rich and variegated surface effect, making it even more unique.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear to the glaze that is consistent with age and use. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the vase bears Guerin's inscribed signature 'guerin' and number 'A25.6'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 10.2" / 26 cm tall by c. 8" / 20 cm diameter (across the body's widest point). Rim diameter: c. 3.3" / 8.5 cm. Base diameter: c. 3.9" / 9.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.8 kg / 1,817 gm.

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Leading ceramicist Roger Guerin or Guérin (1896-1954 ) was a renowned Belgian studio master ceramicist from the village of Bouffioulx near Charleroi. He started his own workshop in 1918 and specialised in experimental salt-glaze techniques at the height of the Art Deco era.

Guerin's use of flowing glazes was typical in his work and he was true to the history of this region, often working on a type of hard ceramic (fired to over 1250 degrees Celsius), which had been made there since the late Middle Ages. His work won a medal at the Paris Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in 1925 and was exhibited in 1937 as well as internationally.

Guérin pottery was produced in short runs. Each piece is numbered and unique, which makes them extra special to have and enjoy.

This elegant and charming work of 1930s Art Deco design is by Swedish sculptor and ceramist Maggie Wibom (b.1899 - d.1961).

The gentle exaggeration in the stylised curves of this horse, both in the stance and muscles are recognised characteristics of Wibom's technique. This horse figure, in particular, is known to have been designed and created during the year Wibom was guest designer at Gefle Ceramics. The semi-matte and opaque white glaze has been used to highlight the sculpted and flowing curves of the ceramic, adding an extra dimension of personality and character to the sculpture.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild use wear, predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside of the figure's base and which is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside of the base bears Wibom's stamp and Wiboms initial's 'MW' are inscribed into one hind leg.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 5.9" / 15 cm tall (from base to rim) x 8.3" / 21 cm in length. Depth: c. 3.9" / 10cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 0.7 kg / 722 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Jonny Margareta (Maggie) Wibom (b.1899 - d.1961) was a Swedish ceramist and sculptor. Wibom studied at the Higher Art Industrial School until 1924 and was employed at Boberg's Fajansfabriek in Gävle in 1925. She designed bowls, dishes and pots often with motives in relief. In 1933-1934 she was a guest designer for Gefle Porslinsfabrik with figures and animals in stoneware. In 1936 she started at St. Eriks Lervarufabriker in Uppsala. In 1938, she started her own workshop, Stockholm's Ceramics in Stockholm, which she ran until 1950.

Her work was often composed in ceramic and she created decor such as glazed ceramic tiles with figurative compositions.

In her lifetime, she exhibited her works in a number of art galleries and museums both in Sweden and internationally. Her public works include ceramic decorations for the People's House in Gävle, a wall fountain at the cinema Aveny in Stockholm, and ceramic reliefs and wall tiles for Staffan's church in Gävle.

Other examples of Wibom's work is represented in multiple museums in Sweden such as the National Museum of Stockholm, Gävleborg County Museum, Uppland Museum as well as abroad in Trondheim Museum, Norway and Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

THE ITEM

Presenting this work of art, of Scandinavian Mid Century design in earthenware by ceramist Johannes Hedegaard. 

The relief is part of a series designed by Hedegaard where the composite raw earthenware, glazed or unglazed, would be contrasted by the brightly coloured and patterned gloss glaze. 

This particular piece is of unglazed earthenware, the figure is subtly rich in details such as strands of hair and facial feature shadows. The patterned gloss glaze decor is a rich blend of auburn and pale blue, delineated with a scalloped Cobalt blue bands.   

A BIT OF HISTORY

Johannes Hedegaard (b. 1915 - d. 1999) was a Danish ceramist and sculptor. He was trained as sculptor at the Royal Copenhagen Factory and the Academy of fine art in Copenhagen 1930-1935. Assigned with Royal Copenhagen from 1948-1966. His work is exhibited at the Lunds Museum, Sweden; Chicago, USA and several Danish Museums.

Aluminia was a Danish factory of faience or earthenware pottery, established in Copenhagen in 1863. In 1882, the owners of Aluminia purchased the Royal Copenhagen porcelain factory. The factories were operated independently under their respective trade names until 1969, when the use of the Aluminia name was ended.

CONDITION

Excellent. There are no chips, cracks or scratches or crazing in the glaze as might be expected from a piece of this age. The back of the ceramic has the appropriate openings for fixing to the wall. There is also the Royal Copenhagen Aluminia 'BA, Denmark' mark, Hedegaard's signature and the numbering of '160/2798' pieces. 

MEASUREMENTS

c. 12.8" /  32.5 cm tall (from base to rim) x 10" /  25.5 cm in width. 

Unpackaged weight:  1.6 kg / 1,638 g

NOTES

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

THE ITEM

This sculpted work of contemporary design is the work of British studio potter Steve Woodhead.  

True to his style, this piece is hand-built as well as hand-thrown. There is highly skilled detail all over, such as each of the feet being coiled before impressing with a grooved surface. The colour palette is a blend of rich royal blue, peacock and powdered watermelon. 

A BIT OF HISTORY

Steve Woodhead has been potting since 1980. setting up his workshop after moving to Rugby, UK from Scarborough in 1987. Woodhead enriched his experience exploring various bodies and glazes and became a fellow of the Craft Potters Association in 1993. He developed his own style in 1995, focusing on brightly coloured work in highly original and sometimes eccentric forms.

Woodhead's work is hand-thrown and hand-built, using surface texture to affect the often multi-layered glazes. The colours of his pieces become deeper and more saturated in the lows and thinner on the highs. He biscuit fires his work in an electric kiln and the reduction firing is in a gas kiln at 1,275 to 1,300°C.

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips, cracks, repairs or signs of use - please see photos as part of condition report. The base is impressed with Steve Woodheads 'sw'' mark.

MEASUREMENTS

c. 5.9" / 15 cm tall x c. 6.3" / 16 cm length (spout to handle). Base diameter c. 3.6" / 9.2 cm. Unpackaged weight: 0.5 kg / 483 g

NOTES

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

THE ITEM
This exceptional work of mid-century Modernist design is by the renowned ceramic artist and designer Gunnar Nylund, (b.1904 - d.1997). Nylund became well known for his 'matte feldspar' glazed stoneware, crystal glazes and for his stoneware animal sculptures. This piece was designed during his time as artistic director at Rörstrand.

This sculpture is flowing in form, with beautifully sculpted minimalist contours which quietly highlights its muscular feinting posture. The piece is glazed using the matte black on pale green glaze used in Nylunds 'Caolina' series.

Both the form and the glaze of this piece is a rarely seen combination by Nylund, the silky smooth glazed decor and form makes this a very tactile piece. This sculpture would be well suited to a room with decor inspired by Mid Mod, Modernist, Contemporary or even Industrialist themes.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The base bears the inscribed Rörstrand stamp that bears the inscription of 'Rorstrand' and Nylund's initials 'GN'.  

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.5" / 11.5 cm by c. 7.8" / 20 cm in length (from nose to tail) by c. 3.6" / 9.1 cm in width (across body's widest point). Unpackaged weight: 0.8 kg / 845 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Gunnar Nylund (b. 1904 – d.1997) Nylund was a Swedish ceramic designer since the 1930s and is perhaps best known as the artistic director of Rörstrand and was already a well-established ceramic artist in Denmark - first at the Bing & Grøndahl Porcelain factory in Copenhagen and later at Saxbo.

Nylund was resident at Rörstrand from 1931–1955 and for the majority of this time, as artistic director. He became well known for his new matte feldspar glazed stoneware in hare’s fur and crystal glazes and for his stoneware animal sculptures. Over five decades, Nylund crafted some 30 reliefs and sculptures commissioned for public spaces, including Europe’s largest stoneware fountain the “Scanisarius” in Bromölla, Sweden.

Most of Nylund’s original sculptures in stoneware chamotte ended up in museums, as did much of his other work. Sculptures such as the “Lion Head” is found at the National Museum in Stockholm, “Blue Bird” is at the Sèvres museum in Paris, his antelope head “Abyssinian mountain nyala”, is at the Röhsska museet in Gothenburg and the “Hamadryas Baboon” is at the Malmö Museum.

His piece “Bulls head in oxblood” was bought by the Ateneum museum in Helsinki. And a lot of his other work can be found at other museums around the world.

THE ITEM
These beautiful pieces of Mid Century Modernist pitcher and tumblers are by pottery studio Fritz Van Daalen, Germany.

These high-quality pieces glazed on the exterior with a silky, glossy red that is lightly mottled with brown. The interior is glazed with a glossy white, beautifully contrasting the red.

The forms of the pitcher and tumblers are of an elegantly simple design, staying true to the Modernist design principle of providing an honest and beautiful expression to the natural materials. The form and glaze combination is a rare find, especially in such superb condition.  

A BIT OF HISTORY
Van Daalen Keramiks was founded in 1938 by Fritz van Daalen in Schwäbisch Gmünd and later moved to Aalen in the 1950s, from the mid-1950s Fritz van Daalen's son produced may of the decors. Van Daalen was an outstanding ceramicist who began his craft just before World War 2 however, it is unknown when he retired from his works. 

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs, please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the pitcher is marked with the form number, 'W GERMANY' and the 'Van Daalen' logo.  

MEASUREMENTS
Pitcher Jug: c. 8.8" / 22.3 cm tall x c.  7" / 18 cm wide - from handle,  3.9" / 10 cm diameter across base. Tumblers: 3.5" / 9 cm tall by 2.6" / 6.5 cm diameter. Unpackaged weight (full set): c. 1.7 kg / 1,745 g

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

THE ITEM
This delicious work of mid-century Modernist design is by Emons & Sohne, ES Keramik of Germany.

The simple Solifleur bud vase form is an excellent canvas for the glaze decor. The base glaze is a matte charcoal brown that is visible through Sgrafitto decor that sits on the collar of the vase. The Sgraffito decor is an interlocking of soft lemon sherbert yellow and mint green gloss glaze.

The remainder of the vase is overlaid with the matte stone-coloured and tightly bubbled foam lava and the piece is finished with an accent of the yellow glaze on the interior of the vase.

This piece makes an elegant addition to any lava or drip glaze collection and would suit a room with Vintage, Mid Century or Modernist theme inspired decor.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips, cracks or crazing as might be expected for a piece of this age; there is light use wear on the interior of the vase that is commensurate with the age of the piece - please see photos as part of the condition report. 

MEASUREMENTS
c. 6.4" / 16.2 cm tall x c. 1.6" / 4 cm diameter across the base of the vase. Width (across widest point): c. 3.1" / 8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 230 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
ES Keramik was founded in Rheinbach in 1921 by Josef Emons & Söhne. The studio began producing art ceramics began during the 1950s with Willi Hack as the main designer. Hans Kraemer was also another designer who began working for ES from 1952 until 1968, producing 15-20 designs per year. ES employed around 70 people at its height and was known for their high quality, beautiful glazes.

THE ITEM

This elegant pair of mid-century biomorphic pitcher vases are by Fohr Keramik. 

True to modernist sculptural design influences, there is a significant focus on the form of these vases. The pared and sloping shoulders loop gracefully to connect to the handles, creating the softly chiselled and angular look. 

The base glaze for these are pale apple green is trimmed with gold and a downward sweeping grey around the neck which accentuates the sloping curve.

CONDITION

Good. No cracks or repairs, there is mild crazing and light wear to the gold trimming as might be expected for pieces of this age - please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the base of each vase is stamped with 'Germany, 526-17' and a gold printed' 17'. There is a printed stamp of 'foreign' on one, in line with customary practices at the time when items were imported from abroad into the UK. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 6.7" / 17 cm x c. 4,3" / 11 cm width (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 2.1" / 5.4 cm. Unpackaged weight: c.  0.8 kg / 781 g

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

THE ITEM
This charming 1950s piece is by British company Beswick Pottery. The shape is the more difficult to find design of a single bloom resting on a leaf. 

The glaze decor is in a Pastel colour scheme which was hugely popular in the 1950s. The dappled glazing gives the variegated effect found on leaves and consists of pastel peach-pink, turquoise, yellow, and blue.

This piece suits display as a standalone piece or as a serving dish. 

A BIT OF HISTORY
Beswick Pottery 1892 - 2002
The Beswick firm was founded as 'J W Beswick' in 1892 by James Beswick and his sons in Staffordshire and originally produced tableware and ornaments. The pottery was chiefly known for producing high-quality porcelain figurines such as animals and Beatrix Potter characters that have become highly sought after in the collectables market.

Following James Beswick's death in 1921, his grandson John took over and continued to expand the business. In 1934, introduced a new range of jugs, bowls and vases decorated with new matte glazes. Responding to the Modernist design influence of the time, many of these highly distinctive shapes were designed by Mr Symcox. These works were often decorated in 'satin-matte' glazes using soft pastel colours running into each other or arranged in striking modern geometric blocks and lines. Beswick would go on to become known for their ceramic animal figures before being taken over by Royal Doulton in 1969 and finally closing in the early 2000s.

CONDITION
Very Good - Excellent. There is mild crazing all over that is commensurable with the age of the piece. There is a minor hairline crack that is an imperfection from the manufacturing process. The underside of the base is stamped with Beswick's 'Beswick Ware, MADE IN ENGLAND'. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. " / 6.3  cm tall (from base to rim) x c. " / 24 cm in width (across widest point) x length: c. " / 32 cm (from flower to leaf tip). Unpackaged weight: 0.8 kg / 803 g

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

THE ITEM
This bold and eyecatching piece of 1960s Pop Art ceramic is attributed to being of Belgian design.

The Paisley form is stylised and chic and an excellent canvas for the highly decorative glaze. The colourful gloss glaze is composed of shades of Caramel brown, Golden brown, Raspberry red, Pumpkin orange and Cerulean blue that is typical of the time. The exterior is glazed with an enamelled silver black which has been traced along the rim and allowed to run down the edge.

This striking piece makes a superb accent piece for a console or coffee table and would suit a Retro, Pop Art or Contemporary decor themed room.

CONDITION
Very Good. There is gentle crazing to the glaze all over the dish and mild wear that is predominantly on the underside of the dish, both of which is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 1.2" / 3 cm tall (from base to rim) x Length (max): c.13.4" / 34 cm. Width: c. 4.8" / 12.3 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: 0.45 kg / 446 g

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

THE ITEM
This elegant pair of hand-illustrated and painted works are from Amsterdam by Dutch artist T Wagner.

Crafted from red clay, the shape of these plates are smoothly spun and very mildly concave. Both dishes are overlaid with a thickly applied, smooth Stone hued glaze which operates as a canvas. Delicately illustrated on one plate with a deep navy-black is a spirited, galloping horse which has been painted in a palette of Turquoise teal and Lemon Sherbet yellow. Illustrated on the other plate in a similarly delicate manner with a deep Sepia, is the horse and carriage scene which has been painted in a matching colour palette of deep navy-black, Turquoise teal and Lemon Sherbet yellow. Both plates are finished with a clear, gloss glaze.

These finely composed pieces resemble watercolour paintings, works of art captured in ceramic and bring with them charming, idyllic vibes.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, damage or repairs. There is mild age wear that is most evident in the mild crazing all over, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The reverse side of both plates is signed with the initials of 'TW' and have the necessary notches for threading hanging cords.

MEASUREMENTS
- Horse plate: Height c. 0.9" / 2.3 cm x diameter: c. 6.4" / 16.3 cm (across widest point).
- Carriage plate: Height c. 1" / 2.5 cm x diameter: c. 6.3" / 16 cm (across widest point).
Unpackaged weight [pair]: c. 0.5 kg / 498 g

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

THE ITEM
This stunning work of mid-century design is by Czech pottery Ditmar Urbach. The elegant tower form is softly geometric from its square base and is an excellent canvas for the poured, running glaze decor. The base glossy glaze is a semi-matte silken Black glaze, over which is poured and blended the layers of translucent as well as opaque teal, green, blue and grey gloss glaze. The curves of the vase helps to create the beautiful flowing trails. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild and negligible use wear on the interior and the exterior that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the vase base is marked with Ditmar Urbach's stamp and retains the original paper label denoting 'Keramické Závody Teplice' which loosely translates as 'Ceramic Works Teplice'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11.2" / 28.6 cm tall by 3.1" / 8 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim Opening diameter: c. 1.3" / 3.2 cm. Base diameter: c.   2.6" / 6.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1 kg / 954 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Ditmar-Urbach AG Porcelain Factories operated under various names in Turn-Teplitz, Bohemia (later Trnovany, Czechoslovakia), from 1882 to 1938. The pottery began as Brothers Urbach. It merged with a factory owned by Rudolf Ditmar's heirs in 1919 and became Ditmar-Urbach.

The Nazis took over the factory from the Jewish owners in 1938 and it became part of Ostmark-Ceramic. It was nationalized after the end of the war in 1945. In 1947 Kurt Lichtenstern - heir to Ditmar Urbach's previous owner Richard Lichtenstern - who had emigrated to the U.S. and changed his name to Conrad H. Lester, took back the company. The final change was when the company was eventually taken over in 1967 by the Keramik Holding Laufen, which is now part of the ROCA group.

Ditmar Urbach produced in a broad range of styles for their decor and are well known for their handpainted Art Deco animal-themed kitchenalia and 'Alienware' series, named by collectors for their unusual combination of shapes, colours and glazes. 

This charming bohemian work of mid-century design, produced around the 1970s is by the Polish Reflex Craft Cooperative, 'Spółdzielnia Rzemieślnicza Reflex', based in Warsaw. 

The design was named the 'Wazon Sowa', which translates as the 'Owl Vase' although the sweeping twist on both sides suggests a stylised fox peering out from behind its upswept tail. 

The glossy glaze carries rich tones of chocolate brown and a warm, deep red - hence the reference to 'Cherry Chocolate - as well as accents of Cream and Caramel. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild crazing all over and negligible use wear on the interior and the exterior that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the vase base bears the Reflex Craft Cooperative's original paper label. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.5" / 21.5 cm tall by 3.9" / 10 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim opening width: c. 2.4" / 6 cm. Base diameter: c.  2.8" / 7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 602 g

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

This chicly fun, Modernist Op Art work that is brimming with Summery vibes is of mid-century German design.

Crafted from white clay, the form of this piece is that of a stylised Moon Flask. The two 'faces' of the vase bears a finishing of lightly ingrained concentric circles, which give a tactile, rippling effect. The subtle but elegant form makes this an excellent piece for the art of Ikebana [tr. 'making flowers alive'.] and a superb canvas for the beautiful glaze. The base gloss glaze is a cool Sky blue that has been overlaid with a free-flowing Daisy white upon which is an infusion of coloured sprinklings in tones Blueberry, Strawberry, Lemon and Lime. 

This piece will emit its reminders of Summer fun whatever the season. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, damage or repairs. There is mild use wear that is most evident in movement marks on the underside of the base, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.3" / 21 cm x Width: c. 5.7" / 14.6 cm (across widest point). Depth c. 3.1" /  8 cm. Rim opening c. 1.6" / 4 cm. Base measurements: c. 3.1" / 7.8 cm x c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 550 g

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