Kitchenalia

This delicious handblown work of Postmodern art glass is by leading Swedish glass artist Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -) for Kosta Boda. From his popular series named Bon Bon was designed by Engman in 1989, the series remained in production until 2005. 

Accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his seemingly unlimited imagination with art glass, it's easy to see why Engman named this series Bon Bon. With candy-coloured pieces ranging from pairing Lavender lilac with Lemon yellow to Marmalade orange with Sky blue in forms as joyful as the vibrant colour palette. 

The central part of this particular piece is spheroid-shaped, beautifully curved, and toned in Candied Sapphire blue. Embedded into the spheroid are the stripes of Coquelicot and Coral orange forming the neck, the merging of the two colours finishing in a lightly sanded texture. This work is further accented with a tiered stopper in candied tones of Sapphire, Lemon, Mint and Cherry. 

Vivid and vibrant, this excellent work is an addition of delight to its surrounding space.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repair. There is negligible surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed, denoting 'Kosta Boda, Artist's Coll[ection], K Engman, 89650'

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 10.4" / 26.5 cm tall (from base to stopper) x c. 6.2" / 15.7 cm in width (across widest point). Depth: c. 4.1" / 10.3 cm. Rim: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Base: c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: 1.3 kg / 1,310 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -), was accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his seemingly unlimited imagination with art glass and known for being one of ten highly talented artists. Since joining Kosta Boda in 1978, Engman has designed a number of iconic series, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as the animal kingdom, the world of music and entertainment.

Engman's style is distinctive and immediately recognisable. Common characteristics to his work include being bold, bright and colourful, ranging from the playful to the delicate to the sensuous. It could almost be described as Dali-esque and does not conform to preconceptions of simple, minimalist Swedish design.

Engman has often been commissioned at home in Sweden and abroad, designing works for public display and even famous pieces such as the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest trophy. Engman's latest works and installations can be found at his dedicated website: http://www.kjellengman.com/

This beautiful set is of Italian mid-century Modernist design by Kristal, Italy. Clearly, an Italian interpretation of the iconic Finnish Ultima Thule design for Iitala by Tapio Wirrkala in 1968 but this set brings with it its own design nuances. 

Instead of resting on melting icicles like that of the Ultima Thule, each piece of this set rests on polished-angle 'ice cubes' and resting centrally within the base of each ice cube, is a single bubble.  

This set is not only iconic with its tactile Modernist surface which create elegant refractions when in the path of light but it also has the ability to colour change. The colour-changing ability comes from Neodymium, an element incorporated into the glass during the crafting process. Under daylight, the Neodymium glass presents a pale lilac colour however, under indoor and fluorescent lighting, the element becomes a pale blue. 

The contemporary statement design is stylistically timeless and very functional, whether as dessert dishes or cocktail tumblers. 

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips or cracks or repairs. There is very mild surface wear that is commensurate with the age of each piece and most evident in subtle movement marks on the underside of the base. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The jorum bears part of the original Kristal label. 

MEASUREMENTS
Jorum Height c. 4.3" / 11 cm. Width (widest point) measurements: c. 7.3" / 18.5 cm. Depth: c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Base measurements: c. 3" / 7.5 cm x c. 3" / 7.5cm. 

Tumbler Dish Height c. 3.1" / 8 cm. Width (widest point) measurements: c. 3.7" / 9.3 cm. Depth: c. 2.4" / 6cm. Base measurements: c. 2" / 5.2 cm x c. 2" / 5.2 cm.

Unpackaged weight [Full Set]: c. 2.9 kg / 2,940 g

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 beautifully undulating work of Mid Century design is from Vallauris, France. Artistic ceramics began to emerge from Vallauris from the end of the 19th century and was elevated further by the arrival of Picasso from 1948.

The form of this particular piece is stylised, with the closest glass counterpart being the Splash bowl, examples of which have been made iconic by Murano. However, unlike a glass Splash bowl which mimics thinner liquids, this work more closely mimics melted chocolate. There are four crests to the 'splash', rising from the broadly rectangular form. The base glaze is a rich, smooth and glossy Milk Chocolate brown. Overlaid onto the base glaze is a interspersing and running glaze in tones of Cherry Red, Vanilla cream and varying tones of brown in Honeycomb, Fudge and Caramel. 

The majestic size with the subtly striking palette makes this piece suitable for standalone display or for functional use as a table centrepiece. 

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please see photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the vase bears the 'Vallauris' inscription.  

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.4" / 11.2 cm. Rim measurements: c. 12.2" / 31 cm x c. 8.3" / 21 cm (across longest/widest points). Depth: c. 2" / 5 cm. Base measurements: c. 7.2" / 18.3 cm x c. 2.8" / 7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.4 kg / 1,420 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Vallauris Pottery Ceramics have always been part of the Vallauris region, however, artistic ceramics began to emerge from Vallauris from the end of the 19th century notably thanks to the Massier family. Other famous names include Delphin and Jérôme introduced coloured enamels and metallic pigments into their ceramics. The region's reputation was elevated further by the arrival of Picasso from 1948.

THE ITEM
This richly coloured 9 piece set of Swedish Modern design is by glass designer Lennart Anderssen (b. 1918 - d. 1999) for Gullaskruf glassworks.

The jewel-like colour palette of the set consists of a vibrant Cobalt blue, Ruby red, Ocean green and Grape purple. The form of the bowls is beautifully silhouetted with rounded angles, as is characteristic to Modern design with matching plates that have a gentle inversion and is otherwise smoothly disc-like. Each piece is finished with an accent of dotted reliefs arranged in 3 concentric circles.
This set gives an incredible pop of colours to compliment the dining table.

CONDITION
Superb. No significant damage such as cracks or repairs to the set, the following negligible wear and has been mentioned for completeness:
- Large serving bowl: small chip on the rim measuring c. 0.2 mm.
- Blue plate: very mild scratches.
Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The gold foil Gullaskruf label denoting 'GULLASKRUF, SWEDEN' is present on all pieces except for the small blue bowl.

MEASUREMENTS
- Large Serving Bowl: Height c. 4.8" / 12.2 cm x c. 8" / 20.3 cm width (across widest point). Base diameter c. 2.5" / 6.3 cm.
- Small Bowl: Height c. 2.3" / 5.8 cm x c. 4.2" / 10.6 cm width (across widest point). Base diameter c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm.
- Saucer / Plate: Height c. 0.8" / 2 cm x c. 5.9" / 15 cm diameter (across widest point).
Unpackaged weight [Full Set]: c. 2.3 kg / 2,291 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Gullaskrufs glassworks (1927 - 1983) was a Swedish glassworks founded in Gullaskruv in by William Stenberg, glass production began in 1927. By 1930 Gullaskruf would exhibit their works at the Stockholm exhibition and around the same time, the glassworks came into contact with the foreign market. At that time, exports accounted for 45% of Gullaskruf's production and in addition to the USA and England, glass was exported to Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada, South America, Australia and South Africa.

Over the years, the glassworks would be resident to many great glass designers and artists, some of who became artistic director for Gullaskruf. Designers and artists included: Hugo Gehlin (b. 1889 - d. 1953), Lennart Andersson (b. 1918 - d. 1999), Arthur Percy (b. 1886 - d. 1976) and Kjell Blomberg (b. 1931 - d. 1989).

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 charming 1970s hand-painted coffee set for twelve is by Winterling Schwarzenbach of Bavaria. 

These high-quality porcelain pieces carry the Mid Century Modernist design influences popular during the time these pieces were made. The shapes of the coffee pot, jug and sugar pot, in particular, are lightly geometric - angular yet curved. The set is glazed with Winterling's Indian blue, lightly dappled glaze, each piece is handpainted with stylised Sunflowers, Tulips and Rosehips patterning. 

Included in the set: 

• 1 Coffee Pot 
• 12 Coffee Cups
• 12 Saucers
• 1 Jug
• 1 Sugar Pot 

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs, there are mild signs of use wear that is commensurate with the age of the set. Please see photos as they form part of the condition report. 

MEASUREMENTS

• Coffee Pot: c. 7" / 18 cm tall x c.  7.5" / 19 cm wide (handle to spout). Base diameter: c.  3.7" / 9.5 cm
• Coffee Cup: c. 2.8" / 7 cm tall by c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm diameter
• Saucer: c. 0.8" / 2 cm tall by c. 5.1" / 13 cm diameter
• Jug: c. 3.3" / 8.5 cm tall by c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm diameter (at widest point)
• Sugar Pot: c. 2.8" / 7 cm tall by c. 3.6" / 9.2 cm diameter (at widest point)

Unpackaged weight (full set): c. 3.4 kg / 3,435 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY 
The company was founded in 1907 by seven Winterling brothers in Röslau, Bavaria and was originally named Gebrüder Winterling O.H.G.

In the space of 10 years, the company would go on to take over Oscar Schaller porcelain factory located in Schwarzenbach where they continued to expand their production of high-quality porcelain items. 

In 1950, the company was turned into a joint-stock company as well as starting another factory in Bruchmühlbach, in 1954. Despite its history of success, sadly, Winterling would eventually become bankrupt in 2000.