Duo of Glit Pottery, REAL Lava in Rare 'Snow Tundra' Blue Glaze Dish and Vase | Iceland, 1960-70s

This beautiful work of Brutalist Modern design is by Icelandic pottery Glit. Germany has Fat Lava, France has Foam Lava - Iceland's lava expression was to incorporate real lava into their glaze. The rarity of these pieces comes from the exquisite blending of the glazes. The external glaze of this particular piece is a staggering in shades of rich dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and black coffee brown that diffuses into a reflection of the Sunburst yellow. The external glaze creates an ideal canvas to the surrounding crown of raw real lava. Inside, we find a beautiful graduation of the Sunburst yellow gloss glaze, the core of this glaze graduates outwards, deepening in colour until you reach the sides and rim of the bowl, where the two glazes meet in a delicate diffusion.

It's easy to see why these pieces are sought after and how the skill in creating these pieces is being celebrated. The poetic colour palette of these works reflects the original inspiration that sparked its creation - the Icelandic landscape from which the mineral, clay, and lava were taken from.

CONDITION
Excellent. No cracks or repairs. Mentioned for completeness; there is mild wear on the lava shards of the dish that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please see photographs as they form part of the condition report. The bowl comes with the original paper label denoting 'Glit, HF, Handmade Lava Ceramics'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm high by c. 5.2" / 13.1 cm diameter (across the widest point) Base diameter: c. 3.3" / 8.3 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 455 g

NOTES
Bowl will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Please note that this listing is for the Glit ceramic pieces only. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Glit Reykjavik Pottery was the only ceramic factory in Iceland when it was founded by Ragnar Kjartansson, sculptor and ceramic artist (b.1923 - d.1989) in 1958. Kjartansson founded Glit together with Einar Eliasson, Pétur Saemundsen. Kjartansson was a member of the Icelandic Sculptors Society, which he established in the Icelandic capital in 1972. Glit was adamantly devoted to utilising Icelandic clay and ground minerals in production during its first decade of operation—especially hardened lava. In many ways, the studio, was well ahead of its time — making deep impressions in the history of Icelandic ceramic art.

Many of the country’s best-known 20th-century artists worked at Glit at one point or another, the place became known as an artistic breeding ground, especially during the time when Ragnar was in charge of the manufacturing workshop at Othinsgata. Technological advances and the desire to increase production led Glit to shift gears, moving them from Iceland’s history of art and design and into its industrial history.

THE ITEM
This beautiful work of Brutalist Modern design is by Icelandic pottery studio Glit. Germany has Fat Lava, France has Foam Lava and well, Iceland has Lava - real lava - incorporated into the body of ceramics.

The rarity of this particular piece comes from the exquisite flurrying Pale Steel-blue and white glaze decorating the dish. The glaze evenly encircles the interior of the dish which flows over the edge and through the band of lava shards in rivulets. The bottom half and base glaze of the dish is a contrasting Steel blue in deeper tones that makes the feature decor all the more prominent. 

It's easy to see why these pieces are sought after and how the skill in creating these pieces is being celebrated. The poetic colour palette of these works reflects the original inspiration that sparked its creation - the Icelandic landscape which the mineral, clay and lava were taken from.

This piece additionally features Kintsugi golden seams following careful repairing and highlighting. The Kintsugi technique is modern and has been applied in a tactile manner, a deliberate contrast to the blue glaze with its golden tone.

CONDITION
Excellent. This piece has been carefully repaired using a robust water-resistant and durable resin. There is the mildest wear on the underside of the dish which has been mentioned for completeness. Please see photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside bears Glit's label and numbering of '31111' 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm high by c. 5.3" / 13.6 cm diameter (across rim, the widest point). Base diameter: c. 3.2" / 8.1 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 534 g

NOTES
Bowl will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Please note that this listing is for the Glit ceramic pieces only. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Glit Reykjavik Pottery was the only ceramic factory in Iceland when it was founded by Ragnar Kjartansson, sculptor and ceramic artist (b.1923 - d.1989) in 1958. Kjartansson founded Glit together with Einar Eliasson, Pétur Saemundsen. Kjartansson was a member of the Icelandic Sculptors Society, which he established in the Icelandic capital in 1972. Glit was adamantly devoted to utilising Icelandic clay and ground minerals in production during its first decade of operation—especially hardened lava. In many ways, the studio, was well ahead of its time — making deep impressions in the history of Icelandic ceramic art.

Many of the country’s best-known 20th-century artists worked at Glit at one point or another, the place became known as an artistic breeding ground, especially during the time when Ragnar was in charge of the manufacturing workshop at Othinsgata. Technological advances and the desire to increase production led Glit to shift gears, moving them from Iceland’s history of art and design and into its industrial history.

Kintsugi is a Japanese philosophy with similarities to the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, which includes ideas surrounding the embracing of the flawed or imperfect. The art of Kintsugi ("golden joinery") is the repairing of broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The aesthetics of this philosophy values breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. 

THE ITEM
This beautiful work of Brutalist Modern design is by Icelandic pottery Glit.

Germany has Fat Lava, France has Foam Lava and well - Iceland has Lava, real lava that is incorporated into their glaze. The rarity of this particular piece comes from the exquisite flurrying blue and white glaze decorating the dish. The glaze evenly encircles the interior of the dish which flows over the edge and through the band of lava shards in rivulets. The bottom half and base glaze of the dish is a contrasting, deep Charcoal black that makes the feature decor all the more prominent. 

It's easy to see why these pieces are sought after and how the skill in creating these pieces is being celebrated. The poetic colour palette of these works reflects the original inspiration that sparked its creation - the Icelandic landscape which the mineral, clay and lava were taken from.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. Mentioned for completeness; there is mild wear on the underside of the dish in the form of a chip to one shard. Please see photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside bears Glit's sticker denoting 'Glit, Iceland, 13113' and a faint impressed mark.  

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 2" / 5 cm high by c. 5.5" / 14 cm diameter (across the widest point). Unpackaged weight: c.  0.4 kg / 373 g

NOTES
Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Please note that this listing is for the Glit ceramic pieces only. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Glit Reykjavik Pottery was the only ceramic factory in Iceland when it was founded by Ragnar Kjartansson, sculptor and ceramic artist (b.1923 - d.1989) in 1958. Kjartansson founded Glit together with Einar Eliasson, Pétur Saemundsen. Kjartansson was a member of the Icelandic Sculptors Society, which he established in the Icelandic capital in 1972.

Glit was adamantly devoted to utilising Icelandic clay and ground minerals in production during its first decade of operation—especially hardened lava. In many ways, the studio, was well ahead of its time — making deep impressions in the history of Icelandic ceramic art.

Many of the country’s best-known 20th-century artists worked at Glit at one point or another, the place became known as an artistic breeding ground, especially during the time when Ragnar was in charge of the manufacturing workshop at Othinsgata. Technological advances and the desire to increase production led Glit to shift gears, moving them from Iceland’s history of art and design and into its industrial history.

THE ITEM
This beautiful work of Brutalist Modern design is by Icelandic pottery Glit.

Germany has Fat Lava, France has Foam Lava and well - Iceland has Lava, real lava that is incorporated into their glaze. The rarity of this particular piece comes from the exquisite swirling blue and white glaze at the centre of the dish. The whorl of Snow-white at the centre is like the eye of a storm that casts the encircling glaze in a flurry of dappled Slate blue and white glaze rivulets.
The chunky rim of the dish is finished with a severe straight edge and bears Glit's characteristic Dark Chocolate brown and the exterior bears a tempered coating raw dark lava.

It's easy to see why these pieces are sought after and how the skill in creating these pieces is being celebrated. The poetic colour palette of these works reflects the original inspiration that sparked its creation - the Icelandic tundra which the mineral, clay and lava were taken from.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs - please see photographs as part of the condition report. The underside bears Glit's inscription 'Glit, Iceland, LAVA' and also a yellow 'B' denoting the ceramist who would have decorated the dish.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 1.6" / 4 cm high by c. 2.5" / 6.3 cm diameter (across the widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 0.7 kg / 703 g

NOTES
Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Please note that this listing is for the Glit ceramic pieces only. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Glit Reykjavik Pottery was the only ceramic factory in Iceland when it was founded by Ragnar Kjartansson, sculptor and ceramic artist (b.1923 - d.1989) in 1958. Kjartansson founded Glit together with Einar Eliasson, Pétur Saemundsen. Kjartansson was a member of the Icelandic Sculptors Society, which he established in the Icelandic capital in 1972.

Glit was adamantly devoted to utilising Icelandic clay and ground minerals in production during its first decade of operation—especially hardened lava. In many ways, the studio, was well ahead of its time — making deep impressions in the history of Icelandic ceramic art.

Many of the country’s best-known 20th-century artists worked at Glit at one point or another, the place became known as an artistic breeding ground, especially during the time when Ragnar was in charge of the manufacturing workshop at Othinsgata. Technological advances and the desire to increase production led Glit to shift gears, moving them from Iceland’s history of art and design and into its industrial history.

THE ITEM
Germany has Fat Lava, France has Foam Lava, well - Iceland has Lava, real lava (that can be sharp to touch!) incorporated into their glaze.

The skill in creating this glaze is evident at every level. There are varying shades of glossy Espresso and Mocha browns, a Glacial blue at the core of the bowl and traces of white and Golden yellow in the drip glaze. The glaze flows within the interior of the bowl and between the shards of lava which trims the bowl.

It's easy to see why these pieces are sought after and how the skill in creating these pieces is being celebrated. The poetic colour palette of these works reflects the original inspiration that sparked its creation - the Icelandic tundra which the mineral, clay and lava was taken from.

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs - please see photographs as part of the condition report. The underside of the vase bears the Glit's inscription 'Glit, Iceland, LAVA'. 

MEASUREMENTS

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

A BIT OF HISTORY

Glit Reykjavik Pottery was the only ceramic factory in Iceland when it was founded by Ragnar Kjartansson, sculptor and ceramic artist (b.1923 - d.1989) in 1958. Kjartansson founded Glit together with Einar Eliasson, Pétur Saemundsen. Kjartansson was a member of the Icelandic Sculptors Society, which he established in the Icelandic capital in 1972.

Glit was adamantly devoted to utilising Icelandic clay and ground minerals in production during its first decade of operation—especially hardened lava. In many ways, the studio, was well ahead of its time — making deep impressions in the history of Icelandic ceramic art.

Many of the country’s best-known 20th-century artists worked at Glit at one point or another, the place became known as an artistic breeding ground, especially during the time when Ragnar was in charge of the manufacturing workshop at Othinsgata. Technological advances and the desire to increase production led Glit to shift gears, moving them from Iceland’s history of art and design and into its industrial history.