Albert Hallam for Beswick Pottery, MCM Modernist Triangular Footed Ceramic Dish, 1960s-70s
Regular price£135.00
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This subtly bold work of Modernist design influence is by designer and modeller Albert Hallam. The elevated and sharp Right Triangle form of this piece captures attention with its presence and difficult to avoid wherever it is displayed. The form is a superb backdrop for the contrasting glaze decor.
The interior decor is a glossy golden mustard that is not particularly loud on its own. However, when paired with the matte yet iridescent black lustre glaze on the exterior, it becomes a necessity for emphasising the sharply geometric form of the piece.
The various elements in the design bring sleek sophistication and elegance suiting a room with decor inspired by Modernist, Retro, Contemporary, or Industrial design influences. The excellent condition and design of this work are a rare find.
CONDITION Excellent, no chips or cracks. There is mild use wear that is most evident on the underside of the feet that is commensurable with the age of the piece, please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the dish is debossed with 'BESWICK ENGLAND' and the model number '1985' with production period dated to between 1964 to 1972.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 3.9" / 10 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 14.6" / 37 cm in length x c. 9" / 23 cm in width. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.1 kg / 1,071 g
A BIT OF HISTORY Albert Hallam (b. 1912 - d. 1975/76) Albert Hallam joined Beswick in 1926 at the age of fourteen as apprentice mould maker and in due course became the head of mould making and an important modeller in his own right. The growth of his influence followed the retirement of Arthur Gredington and Hallam was instrumental in maintaining Beswick’s high standard of modelling and figure creation.
Beswick Pottery The Beswick firm was founded as 'J W Beswick' in 1892 by James Beswick and his sons in Staffordshire and originally produced tablewares 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 2000's.
Though it is said these pieces will never be worth thousands, still, there is revived and growing interest in their Art Deco pieces as they survive in very good condition. They also justify Beswick's annoucement in a 1930's advertisement of "a sound body, with a brilliant, non-crazing glaze fashioned in hundreds of shapes".
NOTES Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
This vivid work of mid-century handblown Japanese art glass design is by Iwatsu Hineri glassworks. Glass collectors familiar with the Murano technique Sommerso (translation 'submerged) will know that this is the art of capturing segments of solid colour in clear glass.
The graceful, extending corners with one flourishing curl are a classic to Hineri interpretation of mid-century art glass, just as the capturing of the Scarlet red, Tangelo orange and Violet within the clear cased triangular base is a rival to the Sommerso technique. The interior of the dish enables a view of the swirling colours as they whirl outwards into varying intensities of colour into the extended corners.
Amongst collectors, the skill and quality applied in creating Japanese art glass is very much known to rival its Western counterparts and can often be more difficult to find. Hineri vases and 4-petalled dishes in this palette are common but the tricorn form of this piece makes it a particularly rare find.
CONDITION Very good. No chips and cracks to the exterior. There is negligible surface wear and a micro bruise on the underside of the base that is commensurable with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The concave pontil on the underside of the base is a known finishing touch of Iwatsu.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 4.6" / 11.8 cm (base to rim). Width: c. 10" / 25.5 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3.7" / 9.4 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,315 g
NOTES Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Hineri Iwatsu Glassworks Unfortunately, little is known about Hineri Iwatsu despite being one of the largest glassmakers in Japan, the commonly cited and understood reason is due to language barriers. However, Iwatsu is deemed to have produced art glass under the Hineri and Art Glass labels before closing in the 1990s. Iwatsu were known to have been based in Osaka in Japan, producing colourful art glass during the 1970s. The quality and style of their work rivalled and is often mistaken for, Italian Murano glass and Czech glass from the same period.
This sleek and chic work of iconic mid-century Modern art pottery is by influential West German Pottery studio of Ruscha Keramik (1905 - 1996).
The form features gently exaggerated curves inward becoming an excellent canvas for the semi-matte and textured lava glaze with bold, hand-painted curves, round-angled shapes, charming blue and yellow florals. The colour palette is whimsical, carrying echoes of the 1960s-70s Flower Power period during which the piece was created.
The combination of the form, condition, size, and palette makes it a rare find. This work makes it an excellent statement piece for stand-alone display.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. 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 part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed with '708 2, Ruscha, Handgemalt (Handmade) BW'.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 2.8" / 7 cm (from base to rim) x c. 12.7" / 32.3 cm in width (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3.9" / 9.9 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.2 kg / 1,190 g
A BIT OF HISTORY Ruscha (established 1906 - 1996) Originally founded in Rheinbach by Georg Schardt, it was known as Klein & Schardt until 1948. Rudolf Schardt would take over the company and rename it to Ruscha, the name created from the first letters of his fore and surname. As Ruscha entered the ceramics boom in the 1950s, the pottery was joined by art pottery director Cili Wörsdörfer who made her handpainted designs for series such as Milano and Zebra wildly popular. Otto Gerharz was the production director, designing innovative glazes such as Vulkano.
Ruscha would later add to its success with Kurt Tschörner joining in the 1960s, designing whimsical and daring forms such as the 313 and 321 jug vase that became and remain sought-after hits.
Other greats who joined Ruscha included Ernst Borens, Hans Welling and Adele Bolz. Unfortunately, the pottery's success came to an end in the 1990s, when it finally closed its doors in 1996, selling its name and many designs to Scheurich who produced vintage-inspired designs under the 'Ruscha Art' brand.
Hjordis Oldfors for Upsala Ekeby, 1958-61 City Series, Duo of Bauhaus Geometric Décor Vase and Dish
Regular price£525.00
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These stunning works of Swedish mid-century Modernist design are by Hjördis Oldfors (b. 1920 - d. 2014) for Upsala Ekeby. Oldfors was a celebrated Swedish ceramicist, painting, and textile artist, known for the many series she designed at Upsala Ekeby which went on to become classics.
Designed and in production between 1958 to 1961, this hand crafted work of art pottery comes from Oldfors' City series, for which there are 5 works of vases and dishes.
The City series is characterised by its highly tactile décor. The base is a rich and matte chocolate-toned earthenware, upon which is incised the interlocking geometric pattern. Reminiscent of stylised city plan blueprints, the incised ‘paths’ are highlighted with the glossy Pale Pistachio green glaze. The work is further complimented by a vivid, glossy Sunshine yellow on the interior.
Timeless in aesthetic style yet very representative of the mid-century Swedish Modernist design movement, both works are in excellent condition with the vase being a particularly rare find.
CONDITION Excellent, there are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild surface wear that is commensurate with age. The reverse of the dish is stamped with Upsala Ekebys 'UE' and Oldfors 'HJ' monogram and the model number '5174'. The underside of the vase is stamped with Upsala Ekebys 'UE' and Oldfors 'HJ' monogram and the model number '5176'.
MEASUREMENTS - Dish: Height: c. 2" / 5.2 cm (from base to rim). Rim measurements: c. 6.5" / 16.5 cm x c. 9.2" / 23.4 cm. Depth: c. 1.9" / 4.8 cm. Base diameter measurements: c. 6" / 15.3 cm x c. 3.4" / 8.6 cm.
- Vase: Height: c. 9.1" / 23 cm tall (from base to tallest point). Rim diameter: c. 1.3" / 3.3 cm. Diameter (across widest point): c. 3.5" / 8.8 cm. Base measurements: c. 2.4" / 6 cm x c. 2" / 5 cm.
Unpackaged weight [Combined]: c. 1.1 kg / 1,125 g
NOTES Duo will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Hjördis Hanna Maria Oldfors (b. 1920 - d. 2014) was a celebrated Swedish ceramicist, painting, and textile artist. Oldfors is known for many series she designed at Upsala Ekeby which went on to become classics; including Poäng (Points), Kokos (Coconut), Trio (Trio), Palma (Palma), and Granit (Granite). Oldfors is represented at a number of museums including; National Museum (Sweden), Röhsska Museum, and at the Nordenfjeldske Konstindustrimuseum.
Though Oldfors was a late arrival to her ceramics career, beginning her studies in 1947 in Gothenburg, she became incredibly successful. Her career at Upsala Ekeby began in 1950 when she was 30 and she would go on to set up her own studio 'Bränd Form' with a number of exhibitions representing Upsala Ekeby and her own studio. The curators of the day are notably known to have said "She has an astonishing certainty in the abstract decor and its adaptation to the form. In this area, she does not have many competitors in our ceramics."
Vallauris France, Chocolate, Cherry and Honeycomb Palette Running Lava Splash Form Dish, 1950s-70s
Regular price£116.00
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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.
Murano Vetro Artistico Veneziano Candy Apple and Silver Avventurine Cased Sculptural Dish, 1960s-70s
Regular price£63.00
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This striking and vivid work of handblown, hot worked of mid-century art glass is by Murano, Vetro Artistico Veneziano. This piece brings with it a beautiful demonstration of the Avventurina technique. Avventurina [tr. Aventurine] is one of many popular and widely recognised Murano technique and as its name suggests, is glass decorated with aventitius surface effects resembling the shimmering flecks of natural quartz. The decoration revives a 17th century technique pioneered in the Murano (Venice) glasshouse of the Miotto family.
This particular piece brings together a bold Candy Apple red with an exterior of silver floating shimmers that is cased in clear glass and worked into the organic, tricorn form. The clear casing is finished with 3 pulled rims, each supporting one of the three folded tips.
Highly tactile, the form invites touch and the timeless style is suitable for standalone display or functional use.
CONDITION Excellent. There is very light use wear, most prominently on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The piece is additionally marked with most of the Vetro Artistico Veneziano label on the underside of the base.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 2.8" / 7 cm (base to rim) x c. 5.4" / 13.6 cm width (across widest point) Base: c. 1.2" / 3 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 490 g.
NOTES Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
Empire Ware, Art Deco Iced Peach Tea and Turquoise Palette Diamond Planter Dish, British, 1920s-30s
Regular price£83.00
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This stylised work of British art pottery piece is of English late-Art Deco design from the 1930s and is by the pottery Empire Ware.
Beautifully sculptural and seemingly simple, this piece is a manifestation of the significant technique needed to result in its evenly hand-formed body. The Art Deco accents appear most prominently in the softly geometric, diamond form. The hand-painted, silky, semi-matte glaze décor on the interior is a beautifully dappled blending of Iced/Powdered Turquoise that graduates into the Iced Peach Tea tones. The exterior décor is a reflection of the interior with the same tones.
This piece has a gracefully elegant presence, an embodiment of English Art Deco design from c. 85 years ago. The combination of its form, colour palette and condition makes it a particularly rare find.
CONDITION Superb. There are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild age-wear in the form of movement marks on the underside of the base and faint crazing all over that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is marked with Empire Ware's stamp.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 3.5" / 9 cm by c. 12.4" / 31.5 cm length (across longest point). Width c. 8" / 20.2 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3" / 7.5 cm. Weight: c. 0.6 kg / 600 g
NOTES Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Empire Ware began life as Empire Works, producing earthenware and porcelain in 1896 in Stoke-on-Trent. The company lasted through the decades reinventing themselves a few times until the works became too difficult to modernise and led to their closure in 1967. In more recent times, the mark 'Empire Ware Made in Portugal' appeared on the market however, pieces from this company are known as a tribute and reproductions of the original company.
This stunning, handblown work of Swedish Modernist design art glass is by Vicke Lindstrand (b. 1904 - d. 1983), who was considered as one of the most influential 20th-century glass artists and a pioneer of glass art. This particular piece comes from a series of 5 objects designed by Lindstrand between 1955-1956 for Kosta (Boda) glassworks. Similar to Wirkkala's Kantarelli (Chantarelle) series that was released around the same time, Lindstrand's series focuses on the gentle exaggeration and stylisation of organic curves and stripes. But whilst Wirkkala chose to create physically grooved stripes on his works, Lindstrand chose to embed feathering threads of Deep Espresso into the body of his series.
These beautiful threads are in fact individual and separate but the prismatic quality that is typically found in Swedish crystal magnifies the bands to create a rolling effect in the stem. This magnificent piece stays true to the roots of Modernist design through the beautiful simplicity of form that speaks to an honest expression of the natural material.
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 refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed with Lindstrand's initials and model number "LH1210" and further impressed with Lindstrand's acid edged stamp.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 7.2" / 18.3 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 6.5" / 16.5 cm in width (across widest point). Base measurements: 2.4" / 6.1 cm. Unpackaged weight: 1.2 kg / 1,185 g
NOTES Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Vicke Lindstrand (b. 1904 - d. 1983) is considered as one of the most influential 20th-century glass artists and a pioneer of glass art. Lindstrand's prolific career included many design highlights, including his ability to excel at a technique called Cased Glass (known to many glass collectors as 'Sommerso'), in which a vividly coloured or patterned section of glass is surrounded by and seems to float within a clear crystal body.
Lindstrand's career began in commercial illustration before finding employment at the glass manufactory Orrefors. He would join Kosta Boda in 1950, remaining there until 1973. Beyond his commercial work, he also produced several massive public sculptures around the world. Today, his works are in many museum collections, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Kosta Boda is Sweden’s oldest glass company, founded in 1742 and began making art glass — that is, unique and limited edition pieces — with the hiring of the painter Gunnar Wennerberg in 1898. Kosta Boda enjoys a reputation as the country’s most artistic and experimental glassworks, featuring artists and sculptors.
There are few Kosta Boda designers who stand foremost in the minds of collectors, one is Vicke Lindstrand, who excelled at a technique of 'Sommerso', or cased glass.
This striking work of 1930s Bauhaus Art Deco design is by Carstens Uffrecht Pottery and attributed to the then lead designer Hildegard Delius (b. 1896 - d. 1955).
The geometric Bauhaus influence is very evident in the evenly-arched, stylised architectural form and further accentuated through subtle plays of cross-hatching within the glaze décor. The sumptuous hand-painted glaze is a base of Vanilla cream that is overlaid with a palette of orange shades, including Apricot, Marmalade, Amber, and Ochre, and further elevated through deeper Coffee brown tones.
Whether on display or used around the home, this work is timelessly stylish in design yet also an excellent representation of the Bauhaus Art Deco movement.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips or repairs. There is a single hairline stress crazing that is very faintly visible to the naked eye but commensurable with the age of the piece, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the dish is marked with Carsten Uffrecht's stamp denoting 'DEK18' and model number '444'.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 11.8" / 30 cm in length (across longest point). Width: c. 9.6" / 24.5 cm (across widest point) Base measurements: c." 6.4 / 16.2 cm x c. 5.9" / 15 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.0 kg / 980 g
NOTES Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Carstens Uffrecht that was founded in 1845 by Jacob Uffrecht. After the Second World War, the Carstens family lost their ceramics and porcelain factories in East German territory. In 1945, Carstens Uffrecht became the East German vases maker VEB Haldensleben. VEB stands for the German “Volkseigener Betrieb”, meaning a people-owned enterprise and related to state-owned workplaces in the GDR.
Hildegard Delius (1896-1955) and her husband Klaus Delius were the known designers from the mid-1920s to mid-1930s at Carstens Uffrecht, echoing the architectural vision of Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius.
VEB Haldensleben mainly concentrated on making vases of high quality. Like the vases of Strehla, the colours are more subdued than the vases from West Germany. Often there is at least one metallic glaze on the vases. When Germany was reunited in 1990, the former East German factory was again owned by the Carstens family and the name was changed to Carstens Keramik Rheinsberg.
