1960s -70s Danish Nymolle by Bjorn Wiinblad, 'Efteraar' Black on White Ceramic Dish

THE ITEM
This work of Danish Mid Century Modernist design is by Einar Johansen of Soholm Pottery. 

The piece is a handthrown and decorated work of stoneware or 'stentoj' in Danish, with the foundation of matte stoneware creating an ideal backdrop for the rich gloss glaze. 

The richly detailed glaze is hinted at on the upper exterior of the bowl, however it is in the interior that the complexity is revealed as a vivid blend deep indigo, light and royal blues infusing with a blend of cream, cinnamon and burnt orange. The decor is painted in alternating and broadening concentric circles, with the warm glaze also being used to highlight the boldly carved abstract geometric pattern. 

CONDITION

Excellent. No scratches, cracks or chips, there is mild use wear that is commensurate with age. The base is inscribed with the Soholm pottery mark 'SOHOLM STENTOJ, BORNHOLM, DENMARK' in use from the mid-20th century.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 2.4" / 6 cm high by c. 5.3" / 13.5 cm rim diameter

Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 359 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY

Einar Johansen (b. 1906 - d. unknown) was a Danish ceramicist, who trained as a painter at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. Later, Johansen would change his mind to became a pottery maker and had his own pottery from 1935 to1958. Johansen designed several series of beautiful stoneware and pottery during his time at Søholm from 1958 to 1968. Amongst his works, Johansen was most well known for the Blue series glazed stoneware, which has since become sought after. 

Søholm Pottery was founded in 1835, in Rønne, Bornholm by Herman Sonne Wolffsen (1811-1887) and Edvard Christian Sonne, making it one of the oldest ceramic factories on Bornholm, until its closure in 1996. 

During its infancy, Soholm mainly designed and manufactured yellow faience ware which progressed to works inspired by the Art Nouveau design movement in the early 20th century. At the time of WW2, Soholm would change its direction to supply dinnerware and utility items before regaining the scope for creative expression during the mid-20th century. 

In the mid-20th century, Søholm produced a huge range of stoneware with different designs and shapes. Soholm's more famous stoneware series today, includes the Burgundia Series - a collaboration of design by Holm Sørensen decor by Svend Aage Jensen as well as Einar Johansens Blue series. 

A variety of different ceramic artists worked at Soholm, including: Noomi Backhausen, Maria Phillippi, Nana Ditzel and Haico Nitzsche.

THE ITEM

A 1977 limited edition Weihnachten (German tr. 'Christmas Day') wall plate designed by renowned artist Bjorn Wiinblad in his recognised style, dominated by wavy lines, bright colours and romantic worlds. 

The glass dish dips at the centre, creating a circular frame for the featured figures and the outer frame is lightly embossed, raising the painted decor into relief decor effect and making the plate wonderfully tactile. 

The plate is adorned with gold, white and blue jewel-like coloured decor with the central figures being dressed in accents similar to characters from Wiinblad's popular Aladdin and 1001 Nights series. 

CONDITION

Excellent, no chips or cracks. Decor is printed with 'Weihnachten 1977' and Wiinblads signature as part of the surface design. The reverse of the plate is printed with Rosenthal Studio Line's limited edition stamp and the number '7'. Plate has original fitting of a wall hook. 

MEASUREMENTS
c. 0.8" /  2 cm tall  x 11.4" /  28.9 cm in diameter.

Unpackaged weight: 1.4 kg / 1,393 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bjørn Wiinblad (b. 1918 d. 2006) was a Danish painter, designer and artist in ceramics, silver, bronze, textiles, and graphics. Aged 17, he began an apprenticeship as a typographer, but soon realised that his heart was set on following the path of an artist and would go on from his beginnings as an illustrator to become a cosmopolitan multi-artist.

His work has been shown widely in Europe, in the United States of America first in 1954 and in Japan, Australia and Canada in 1968. Wiinblad was named Man of the Year in New York in 1985 and was awarded the American-Scandinavian Foundation’s Cultural Prize of 1995.

In 1957, Wiinblad was appointed Chief Designer for the famous German brand Rosenthal, a position that enhanced his international reputation even further.

Even though Bjørn Wiinblad was Copenhagen born and bred, and had trained in Copenhagen, his style was anything but classic Danish, and while functionalism ruled the roost in Denmark, Bjørn Wiinblad went the other way, espousing a style dominated by wavy lines, bright colours and romantic worlds.

Characteristics of Wiinblad's work include whimsical round-faced people, dressed in vaguely 19th-century costume. They are often surrounded by natural elements: twining vines, floral wreaths, and fantastical trees. When Wiinblad employed colour, he did so with great assurance. His colours are saturated and strong—sometimes almost psychedelic—and are often supplemented with metallic gold or silver.

Women were a consistent theme in the Wiinblad universe, displaying a wide range of emotional nuances, and their eyes – specifically, their gaze – were always very special. As a rule, they looked out with openness and curiosity – but with traces of dejection, melancholy and mysticism.

The eyes meant something very special to Wiinblad, so even though he employed a large number of people, he always painted the eyes himself and thus, the women were quoted to be intensely 'Wiinbladian'. 

This hand-built and exquisitely illustrated work is by celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, textiles, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006). We know that this piece was personally handled by Wiinblad as it is signed with both Wiinblad's signature and his artist caricuture icon. Per the dating of the piece, it is attributed to have been made for Wiinblad's very first ceramic workshop 'Værksted' in Copenhagen Denmark. 

The carefully crafted form of this piece is that of a centaur and from the botanical adornments, a dryad sits astride the centaurs back. Highly romantic, Wiinblad applied his exceptional creativity and imagination to both the tactile as well as the expressive line details all over both figures.

From the mildly rounded eyes to the raised leaf crowns and prominent centaur horns, attention is given right down to the pink tipped beak, crested head and tail of the small bird held between the hands of the two figures.

Handpainted onto the form is the slate-grey, blue design with complimented beautifully by intricate detailing of tiny pink rosettes, tendrils, and leaf detail. 

Stylistically timeless, the combination of the design and exceptional condition of this piece as well as Wiinblad's full signature with the 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, 59 [year of production], 363 [design number], DANMARK' and artist caricature.

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 11.4" / 29 cm (from base to rim) x width c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm (across widest point). Length: c. 8.9" / 22.5 cm (longest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,255 g

NOTES
Sculpture 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.

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 magnificently hand-built and illustrated work of art ceramic is by celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, textiles, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006). This particular piece was created for the prestigious Illums Bolighus [Denmark's first concept department store] 1 year after Wiinblad became the first artist to exhibit there. 

The form of this piece is the bust of Titania, Queen of Fairies from the Midsummer Night's Dream series.  Highly romantic, Wiinblad applied his exceptional creativity and imagination to tactile details beyond facial anatomy. Individual rosettes and leaves are elegantly placed to bring to life Titania's high floral crown with an exquisitely curved tapering that creates a leaf shape of its own for the rim of the vase.  

Handpainted onto the form is the illustrated design, seamlessly applied to the crown and the upper torso, creating the visual effect that blurs the separation between flora and foliage and Titania herself. 

The combination of the statement size, palette, and excellent condition of this piece makes it a noteworthy find of Wiinblad's early work. 

CONDITION
Excellent. There is negligible use wear, most evident in the form of movement marks on the underside of the vase and mild crazing to the handpainted glaze all over that are commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside bears Wiinblad's 'BW' monogram, the 'V21' model number and '63' denoting the year of production. The underside also bears the original Illums Bolighus label. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 14.8" / 37.7 cm (from base to rim) x width c. 6.5" / 16.5 cm (across widest point). Depth: c. 5.5" / 14 cm (shallowest). Base: c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.5 kg / 1,490 g

NOTES
Vase 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, 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 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 exquisitely illustrated work of art porcelain is by celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, textiles, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006) who designed them for Rosenthal in the 1960s.

The illustrated design is from the Samuramat or Sammuramat series, inspired by the tales of the powerful queen of the Babylonian Empire c. 850 BC. The form is sleek, elegant, and simplistic, which is often referred to as a pillow vase that is an excellent canvas' to showcase the incredible detail of the Goldfire glaze. Applied to this is the iridescent glaze to Wiinblad's illustrated design. Wiinblad's unmistakable style with its romantic, charming, and fantastical characteristics is very much evident in these collectible pieces. 

CONDITION
Excellent. There is negligible use wear, most evident in the form of movement marks on the underside of both vases. The undersides bear Rosenthal's Studio Line stamp with logo, model number and Wiinblad's printed signature. Wiinblad's signature underscores the front-facing illustration. 

MEASUREMENTS
- Pillow Vase - Height c. 8.5" / 21.6 cm (from base to rim) x length c. 8.5" / 21.6 cm (across longest point). Depth: c. 3" / 7.7 cm. Base: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm x c. 2.4" / 6cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.9 kg / 910 g

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