Mid-20th Century Italian 'Alla Moda' Handpainted Poppies Art Pottery Dish, 1960s-70S

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. 

Standing at over 9" tall and 12" wide, this majestic work of mid-century handblown Japanese art glass is attributed to the Iwatsu glassworks, Hineri range. 

Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville

The core form of this piece is the typical Fazzoletto handkerchief shape that has been subtly exaggerated by extending the graceful, rippling swathes outwards to create the abstract Anemone form. The Scarlet red blends seamlessly into the Violet with the intensity of the hues matching the curves and folds. The piece is finished with an accent of a clear glass footing the base. 

Amongst collectors, the skill and quality applied in creating Japanese art glass is very much known to rival its European counterparts and can often be more difficult to find as sellers will mistake the glass for European. 

Stylistically timeless, the combination of the size, form and colour palette makes this piece a particularly rare find that would suit well for display as a centrepiece.  

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips and cracks. There is negligible surface wear to the base of the that is commensurable with age. Mentioned for completeness: there are minor inclusions in the body that are from the crafting process. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base has a concave pontil that is a known finishing touch of Iwatsu and Japanese glass generally. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 9.4" / 23.8 cm (base to rim). Width: c. 12" / 30.6 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 4" / 10.2 cm (across widest point) Depth: c. 7.7" / 19.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.8 kg /  1,800 g

NOTES
Centrepiece 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.

Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville

This sculpted and handblown work of Japanese art glass is by the glassworks Sanyu, from the 'Narumi Fantasy' series that is characterised by its candy and jewel-like colour palette.

The form is highly tactile and superbly organic with 3 lobes alternating between 3 swirled faces. A beautifully elegant piece, the stylised curves and arches provide prismatic ability. The colour palette of this series only contains the 3 colours of Tourmaline pink, Topaz blue and Citrine yellow. The 3 colours change their tones as they become magnified and overlapped within the clear exterior casing creating additional shades of green, peach and purple. 

There is a further layer of hidden magic within this piece that becomes apparent when it is placed in the pathway of sunlight and surrounding surfaces light up from the refractions.

The enchanting quality of the captured colours and the uniqueness of being handblown makes this piece suitable for display or for functional use.

CONDITION
Superb. No chips or cracks or damage, There is mild wear, predominantly 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. 3.6" / c. 9.2 cm tall x c. 6.3" / c. 16 cm diameter (across widest point) Rim opening measurements: c. 4.7" / c. 12 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 2.8" / c. 7 cm. Unpackaged weight c. 1.7 kg / c. 1,660 gms.

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 are often mistaken for Murano and Czech glass from the same era.

Though knowledge of Japanese glassworks is scarce in Western countries, what is known is that the quality of Japanese art glass from 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.