THE ITEM
This fantastical and perhaps one of the most sentient-looking abstract ceramic bird sculptures was designed by Danish ceramist Gerd Hiort Petersen (b. 1937 -?) for Soholm Pottery.
The colour palette for this piece is inspired by Petersen's connection to the nature of her home on the island of Bornholm. The base gloss glaze is a pale sand tone, interspersed with a dappled pale fir green. The sculptures eyes, beak, tail and base is highlighted with a deep espresso brown with glimmers of metallic bronze.
Designed during the 1960s, the time Petersen was at Soholm Pottery, this hard to find piece is a remarkable work of decorative art.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Born in 1937, Gerd Hiort Petersen became Bornholm’s first female pottery apprentice when she took up her apprenticeship at Michael Andersen pottery in 1954. By the age of 27, her stoneware and porcelain was being exhibited in Denmark and abroad. She worked for Royal Copenhagen from 1965 to1973, during her time at Royal Copenhagen she designed many pieces. Her designs for Soholm Pottery during 1961 and1962, includes many fantastical, imaginative pieces and many of the creatures have quite a surrealist, ancient vibe about them.
CONDITION
Very Good. No crazing, cracks or repairs. There is mild use-wear of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with age. There is one flake to the glaze measuring 3mm at the corner of the tail. Please refer to the photos as part of the condition report. Stamped into the base is the Soholm mark 'Made in Soholm, Denmark'.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 10.6" / 27 cm by 10.2" / 26 cm in length (tip of beak to end of tail). Base diameter: c. 3.5" / 8.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.2 kg / 1,168 g
NOTES
The sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
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This striking and sculptural work of mid-century Swedish Modernistic design is by Lillemor Mannerheim (b. 1927 - d. 1994). Mannerheim was a countess, ceramicist, and illustrator who designed this Labrynt (Labryinth) vase in 1954 for Gefle Keramiks, together with a number of her other well-known series such as Kulisaner, Dixie, Mambo, Singoalla and Pärlor.
This elegant Labrynt vase features Mannerheim's gentle swelling design characteristic which tapers into fluted rim to create the flask form. This form is overlaid with the rich, semi-matte Onyx black glaze called Mangania that was a feature of many of Mannerheim's most popular series. The piece is finished with the hand-glazed gloss swirling in Powdered Lime tone on both sides to further elevate the piece.
The combination of the form, glaze and Modernistic accents gives the overall piece a stylistically timeless presence. And yet the design of this piece is completely suited to the Atomic Design period that it's from, when space exploration and futuristic influences were at the forefront of world news.
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. There is mild use wear, predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside of the base bears 'Gefle' and 'Lillemor' stamp and inscribed with the model number 'M43' and 'Labrynt'.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11.4" / 29 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 3.9" / 10 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim measurements: c. 4.6" / 11.7 cm x c. 1.6" / 4 cm. Base Measurements: c. 2" / 5.2 cm x c. 2.2" / 5.7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 630 g
A BIT OF HISTORY
Lillemor Mannerheim (b. 1927 - d. 1994) Ingeborg Aina Sophie Constance "Lillemor" Mannerheim-Klingspor was a countess, a ceramicist and illustrator who began her studies into art and design in 1945, at the end of WWII. Mannerheim began her career at Gefle in 1949, designing a number of popular series such as Kulisaner, Dixie, Labyrint, Mambo, Pärlor, Föl, Solros and Singoalla. She also designed a number of figurines and sculptures during her time at Gefle where she remained until 1957.
Mannerheim spent time studying in Italy and France at the end of the 1950s before taking her career to the next step at Rorstrand in 1960. Her art is represented in a number of museums in France, Sweden and Finland.
This striking and sculptural work of mid-century Swedish Modernistic design is by Lillemor Mannerheim (b. 1927 - d. 1994). Mannerheim was a countess, ceramicist, and illustrator who designed this Dixie vase in 1957 for Gefle Keramiks, together with a number of her other well-known series such as Kulisaner, Labyrint, Mambo, Singoalla and Pärlor.
This elegant Dixie vase features Mannerheim's gentle swelling design characteristic which tapers into fluted rim to create the flask form. This form is overlaid with the rich, semi-matte Onyx black glaze called Mangania that was a feature of many of Mannerheim's most popular series. The piece is finished with hand glazed gold angular and linear accents serves to further elevate the piece.
The combination of the form, glaze and Modernistic accents gives the overall piece a stylistically timeless presence. And yet the design of this piece is completely suited to the Atomic Design period that it's from, when space exploration and futuristic influences were at the forefront of world news.
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. There is mild use wear, predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside of the base bears 'Gefle' and 'Lillemor' stamp and inscribed with the model number 'M43'.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11.4" / 29 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 3.9" / 10 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim measurements: c. 4.6" / 11.7 cm x c. 1.6" / 4 cm. Base Measurements: c. 2" / 5.2 cm x c. 2.2" / 5.7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 630 g
A BIT OF HISTORY
Lillemor Mannerheim (b. 1927 - d. 1994) Ingeborg Aina Sophie Constance "Lillemor" Mannerheim-Klingspor was a countess, a ceramicist and illustrator who began her studies into art and design in 1945, at the end of WWII. Mannerheim began her career at Gefle in 1949, designing a number of popular series such as Kulisaner, Dixie, Labyrint, Mambo, Pärlor, Föl, Solros and Singoalla. She also designed a number of figurines and sculptures during her time at Gefle where she remained until 1957.
Mannerheim spent time studying in Italy and France at the end of the 1950s before taking her career to the next step at Rorstrand in 1960. Her art is represented in a number of museums in France, Sweden and Finland.
Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville
This evocatively elegant work of Swedish contemporary design is by Alf Ekberg (b.1945-d. 2016) for his art pottery studio Källna. Ekberg worked with sculptures in stoneware, bronze, and glass and over the course of his career, had exhibitions in Denmark and Germany as well as in a large number of galleries around Sweden.
This particular piece is a stunning Charcoal hued stoneware sculpture of the Damson fruit that presents his popular juxtaposition with the gold crackle gilt glaze. Ekberg's signature combination of pairing matte and unpolished stone textures with luxuriant metals is very much evident in this piece.
This stunning piece actualises many key principles of Minimalist and Modernist design influences, with a focus on bringing forth the beauty in the base materials.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is faint wear to the surface of the glaze that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please see the photographs as they form part of the condition report. The reverse of the sculpture bears Ekberg's sculpture as does the wooden plinth.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11.4" / 29 cm. Width c. 7.7" / 19.6 cm (across the widest point) x depth: c. 3.9" / 10 cm. Base measurements: c. 7.1" / 18 cm x c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Weight: c. 4.1 kg / 4,140 g.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Alf Ekberg (b.1945 - d.2016), Källna Studio Pottery
Alf Roland Kenneth Ekberg, sculptor, ceramist and artist was born in Skåne on April 13, 1945. Ekberg founded his own workshop in Källna in 1972 and created art through sculptures in stoneware, bronze and glass. During his early career, he received Cultural scholarship recipient in 1983 and the Kristianstad county cultural scholarship in 1988.
During his career, he exhibited in Denmark, Germany, and a large number of galleries around Sweden. In 1997 Ekberg sculpted in ice for the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi and was commissioned for several public sculptures in southern and central Sweden.
This beautiful work of Modernist art glass has been crafted using the Murano technique of Filigrana and has been shaped into the form commonly known as the 'Love Knot'. The association of knots with the symbolism of love, friendship and affection dates back to antiquity.
The technique Filigrana (Literal translation 'Filigree glass' in Italian) often features white coloured canes but sometimes multicolour too, as it is in this instance. The Filigrana style originated on the island of Murano in the 16th century and spread rapidly to other parts of Europe where façon de Venise glass was produced. Manufacture on Murano continued until the 18th century, and it was revived in the 20th century.
Though the Filigrana technique can be in applied using multicoloured canes, it has not been possible to trace another example of Filigrana applied into the Love Knot form. There are a few inclusions (bubbles) in the creation of this piece but despite this, the overall execution of the piece is beautifully balanced and an excellent canvas for light refraction. The colour palette bears a vibrant Cerulean blue, Scarlet red, Lemon yellow and Snow white.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is negligible wear in the form of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece, please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 12" / 31 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 5.1" / 13 cm in width (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3" / 7.6 cm x c. 3" / 7.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.2 kg / 1,155 g
NOTES
Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
This striking work of Swedish Modernist design is Hound figure designed by the celebrated Swedish ceramicist and designer Gunnar Nylund (b.1904 - d.1997) for Rörstrand. The series of figures includes a Rooster and Fish and is characterised by the monochromatic palette that has been applied in a stylised technique that highlights the hand painted and 'hand drawn' manner. The aesthetic style is like that of a sketched drawing that has been 'brought to life' into a 3D figure.
The angular rise-and-fall form and décor makes this a touch-inviting tactile piece. Stylistically timeless and contemporary, this work is a outstanding example of Scandinavian mid-century Modern design and the combination of design, form and condition makes this a rare find.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is light wear in the form of movement marks to the underside of the base athat is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside is stamped with Rorstrand's logo and Nylund's 'GN' initials.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 5.7" / 14.5 cm (from base to rim). Width: c. 3.9" / 10 cm (across widest point). Depth: c. 1.9" / 4.8 cm. Base measurements: c. 1.9" / 4.8 cm x c. 3.3" / 8.3cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.3 kg / 285 g
NOTES
Figure will be securely packaged and shipping insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Gunnar Nylund (b. 1904 – d.1997) Nylund was a Swedish ceramic designer since the 1930s and is perhaps best known as the artistic director of Rörstrand and was already a well-established ceramic artist in Denmark - first at the Bing & Grøndahl Porcelain factory in Copenhagen and later at Saxbo.
Nylund was resident at Rörstrand from 1931–1955 and for the majority of this time, as artistic director. He became well known for his new matte feldspar glazed stoneware in hare’s fur and crystal glazes and for his stoneware animal sculptures. Over five decades, Nylund crafted some 30 reliefs and sculptures commissioned for public spaces, including Europe’s largest stoneware fountain the “Scanisarius” in Bromölla, Sweden.
Most of Nylund’s original sculptures in stoneware chamotte ended up in museums, as did much of his other work. Sculptures such as the “Lion Head” is found at the National Museum in Stockholm, “Blue Bird” is at the Sèvres museum in Paris, his antelope head “Abyssinian mountain nyala”, is at the Röhsska museet in Gothenburg and the “Hamadryas Baboon” is at the Malmö Museum.
His piece “Bulls head in oxblood” was bought by the Ateneum museum in Helsinki. And a lot of his other work can be found at other museums around the world.
This trio of sweetly adorable and hand-decorated bird sculptures is by leading Swedish ceramicist and designer Lisa Larson (b. 1931 - ) designed in the early 1990s. Originally designed for Larson's exhibition, the production of the figures were by Larsons pottery studio Keramikstudion Gustavsberg. Larson is famous for her Modernistic animal sculpture designs that has created many popular series such as Stora (Large Zoo), Lilla (Little Zoo), and Skansen (Nordic Zoo) for Gustavsberg Ceramics.
The elegantly rounded yet sleek forms with inquisitive expressions really bring these works to life. The trio's Modernistic forms are beautifully complimented by the silky smooth, semi-matte Warm Sand glaze with the bare minimum of detail depicted in the hand painted eyes or dustings of shadow. These sculptures are further elevated by the gold glaze detail. There are 4 Fenix designs in total, ranging from: Fingal (tallest), Gottfrid (roundest), Ossian and Tekla (smallest). These sculptures have been decorated in different colours including the Warm Sand of this trio, Cobalt blue and Charcoal black. Beautifully modern and charming, these works bring elevated simplicity and warmth to their surroundings.
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repair. There is mild wear of movement marks on the underside of the base for the figures, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the bases are signed with Larson's "LISA L" with the Gottfrid's wooden base bearing the full 'K-studion Gustavberg' signature
MEASUREMENTS
- Fingal (Tallest) - Height: c. 7.6" / 19.2 cm tall (from base to tallest point ). Width c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm (across widest point). Base c. 2.8" / 7 cm (across widest point).
- Gottfrid (Roundest) - Height: c. 7.5" / 19 cm tall (from wood base to tallest point ). Width: c. 4.6" / 11.6 cm (across widest point). Base c. 2.7" / 6.8 cm.
- Tekla (Smallest) - Height: c. 4.5" / 11.5 cm tall (from base to tallest point ). Width: c. 3.5" / 9 cm (across widest point). Base c. 2.1" / 5.3 cm depth.
Unpackaged weight [Trio]: c. 1.3 kg / 1,250 g
NOTES
Sculptures will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Lisa Larson (b.1931) is a Swedish ceramicist and designer. She is well known for many sculptures series including Stora (Large Zoo), Lilla (Little Zoo), and Skansen (Nordic Zoo), 'ABC-girls', 'Africa' and 'Children of the World'. Larson is well known for her warm-hearted, humorous, sometimes subtly ironic design and is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design.