1960s Fohr Keramik Modernist Pop Art | Green, White and Black Fat Lava on White Ceramic Block Vase

THE ITEM
This exceptional Modernist work of sculpted art glass is by glass artist and designer Jaroslav Svoboda (b. 1938 - ) from his own glassworks studio Svoboda Karlov. Svoboda is well known from his works at the renowned Skrdlovice glassworks designing many popular and much-loved pieces in clear and cobalt blue glass. 

This sculpted piece is crafted from clear glass throughout with the exception of the cobalt blue horn accents. 

The form distinctly avoids harsh angles and lines and instead, opts for softly exaggerated curves all over, creating multiple effects within the glass and how it interacts with light; from magnifying to refracting to prismatic. Depending on the angle of display and light, the undulating curves internally reflects the cobalt blue of the horns, casting an icy blue tint over different parts of the glass body. 

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips or cracks, there is mild use wear that is present and is commensurable with the age of the piece, please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The piece bears an original partial Svoboda Karlov label, identifiable by the glassworks logo. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 6.3" / 16 cm by c. 8.3" /  21 cm  in length. Depth / Width of body (across widest point): c. 4.3" / 11 cm. 
Weight c.  2.2 kg / 2,170 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY

Jaroslav Svoboda (b. 1938 - )  Svoboda entered the world of glassmaking from a young age and in his father's workshop, his father worked for the Inwald glassworks. Svoboda would pursue academic knowledge of the arts at the age of 15 before officially beginning his career in glass in 1966. 

In the years to follow, Svoboda would go on to become the Head of the ÚUŘ Glassworks in Skrdlovice and becoming Professor and Head of Glass Studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture & Design in Prague before finally establishing his own glassworks studio. 

Svoboda has had significant achievements throughout his career; he has won numerous awards and his works are featured in collections in many museums including the Corning Museum of Glass in New York, the Kunstmuseum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg, the National Gallery in Prague and many more. 

His work has been presented in over 60 exhibitions, either as a dedicated individual exhibition or part of a collective. There are also around 30 Svoboda commissioned pieces in state, financial, school and industrial buildings in his native Czech Republic and abroad.  

Presenting a sculpted work of Italian Mid Century Modern, Modernist design by the Bertoncello pottery that was sadly closed in 1999. 

The sumptuous glaze of this piece is smooth to touch and not too overtly glossy. Visually, it presents as a refined blending of rich, pale vanilla that is feathered with deep sienna, giving additional depth. Step back and look at the piece as a whole, the effect resembles leather or marbled stone.

The gently exaggerated curves in the 'bulb' and handle of the form adds to the sculpted look, as well as aesthetic balance.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bertoncello Ceramiche was founded in Schiavon, Italy around 1956. For many years it was run solely by a Mr. Lini and Giovanni Bertoncello (1930-2011), but by the 1970s had a staff of around 30. Giovanni was the creative force behind the forms and glazes, supported later by a Mr. Boatto – a Venetian teacher.

Sadly not a lot is known about the company because all its catalogues and archives were destroyed when the company closed in 1999. The forms of Bertoncello pottery are often very sculptural, modern and organic and some look like smaller studies or maquettes for massive modernist sculptures that are yet to be built. This sculptural appearance of many pieces was enhanced by the use of feet which subtly raise the piece off the surface on which it sits.

CONDITION

Excellent, no chips, cracks or scratches to the body. There is imperceptible use wear ( mainly in light movement marks on the underside of the vase's base) - please refer to photos as part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 7.3" / 18.5 cm tall by c. 4.7" / 12 cm wide (across body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 2.4" / 6 cm

Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 352 g

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

THE ITEM
This superb work of Italian Mid Century Modernist design is by the Bertoncello pottery that was sadly closed in 1999. 

The glaze is silky and smooth to touch and visually, is a refined blending of rich and golden ochre, tinged with sienna which gives added depth. Step back to look at the piece as a whole, it resembles well-aged tanned leather or Italian marble.

Like Antoni Gaudi's architecture, there are no sharp angles or perfectly straight lines to this piece but nor are there unnecessarily exaggerated curves where there shouldn't be. Overall, there is great aesthetic balance.

A rare size, the height and width lends great presence and makes this piece a work of art that can hold court in its own space and would perhaps even tower over others in a collection. Would suit a retro, mid century modern, contemporary, vintage or even industrial decor themed room.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bertoncello Ceramiche was founded in Schiavon, Italy around 1956. For many years it was run solely by a Mr. Lini and Giovanni Bertoncello (1930-2011), but by the 1970s had a staff of around 30. Giovanni was the creative force behind the forms and glazes, supported later by a Mr. Boatto – a Venetian teacher.

Sadly not a lot is known about the company because all its catalogues and archives were destroyed when the company closed in 1999. The forms of Bertoncello pottery are often very sculptural, modern and organic and some look like smaller studies or maquettes for massive modernist sculptures that are yet to be built. This sculptural appearance of many pieces was enhanced by the use of feet which subtly raise the piece off the surface on which it sits.

CONDITION
Excellent, only very light movement marks to the base - commensurable with age of the piece - no chips, scratches, cracks or crazing to the vase body. There are a few tiny 'fleabite' chips along the rim of the base which are not noticeable when the vase is upright - please see photos as part of the condition report. Base bears the number '933'.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 16" / 41 cm tall by c. 8" / 20 cm wide (across body's widest point)

Unpackaged weight: c. 1.5 kg / 1,539 g

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

THE ITEM

The blue of this vase ... how to describe? Are you familiar with the Hokusai print 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa'? personally, I feel that if there was ever a glaze that could be attributed to the stylised wave of that print, this would be it - in the vibrancy of the blue and the white that organically branches out over and down the body of the vase.

The detail doesn't end there, towards the base of the vase, you'll see the stronger slices of white, carved lightly into the body, the edges of the white feathering outwards. Resembling a band of feathers or snowflakes circling the base. And last but not least, the triple handle detail, adding another further character to the vase, like a wave cresting over the edge.

The vase is finished with the bubbling of light lava glaze on the internal ring which flows into the black internal glaze.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Kunsttöpferei Unterstab (KTU) - Ralf and Gudrun Unterstab, almost nothing is known about this studio. Gudrun Unterstab (* 1940) is the daughter of the famous potter Albert Kießling. With her husband Ralf (* 1937) she operated from the early 1960s, a ceramic studio in Langenhessen.

Many of their ceramics are attributed to a Kerstin Unterstab , however, this is inaccurate, as there never was a Kerstin Unterstab (at least not in connection with the Unterstab Pottery).

CONDITION
Excellent - no damages or crazing, please see photos as part of the condition report.
Base is inscribed with 'KTU Undestab' studio mark.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 8" / 20 cm tall x c. "3.5 / 9 cm diameter across the base.

Unpackaged weight: c. 0.9 kg / 851 g

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

THE ITEM
I think it's pretty safe to say that this piece is striking. With the peak wave of the 'splash' down to the base measuring around c. 43 cm / 17", it would be difficult for this sculpture to not be a centrepiece.

The amethyst is deep and intense at the base and gradually grows paler as it reaches upward, white ripples reaching outwards towards the end of each wave accentuates the height. This is a wonderfully executed piece of mid-century art glass.

And if you really, really, really wanted to; you could also use it as a bowl. If you really wanted to....

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips, cracks or scratches. Bearing a few light movement marks on the underside of the base.. Please do refer to photos as they form part of the condition description.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 17" / 43 cm tall by 10.5" / 26 cm diameter, across its widest point.

Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,606 g

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

This beautifully sculpted and handblown piece is the work of mid-century Japanese glassworks Sanyu with the iconic Citrine Amber and Emerald Green. This classic Sanyu palette is accentuated with a cradling of rich Lapis Lazuli Blue at the base of the vibrant green. Wrapped around this central well of colour is a diagonal ribbon of alternating gold and silver avventurrine. 

Last but absolutely not least, enveloping the jewel-like colour is the handblown clear crystal casing, shaped with a gentle twist. The highly tactile and undulating form gives this piece a brilliantly prismatic ability. The hidden prismatic magic in this piece is very apparent when it is placed in the pathway of sunlight and surfaces light up from the refractions thrown. 

Whilst the Amber and Green is a common Sanyu colour combination, the addition of the blue, the gold avventurine and the arched form makes this piece a rare find. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips or cracks or damage, There is very mild wear of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurate with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 9" / 23 cm tall x c. 4.7" / 12 cm width (across widest point). Base: c. 2.4" / 6 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight c. 1.8 kg / 1,800 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Sanyu Glass Co. is based in Osaka, Japan and has been producing art glass since the 1950s. Similar to other better known Japanese glassworks of Iwatsu and Hineri, the quality and style is often mistaken for Murano and Czech glass from the same era. 

Though knowledge of the Japanese glassworks is scarce in the Western countries, what is known is that the quality of Japanese art glass during the 1950s to the 1970s rivalled that of Murano, Scandinavian, and Czech glass production. Recognition has been relatively low and most pieces imported into the Western market are often simply marked with the word 'Foreign' or not at all. It is rare to discover pieces with the original glassworks or importing company's label.