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The Collector's Corner
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Welcome to the Collector's Corner, this collection is for the avid collector who is interested in pieces that are a cut above what is more broadly available and want to find that special piece that will take their collection to the next level.
Here you will find the rare, the limited editions, the hard to find, the signed or works that carry the original label.
This section will be updated often so please do check back regularly.
Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, 1965 Ringo Series, Chocolate Cookie Palette Modernist Vase
Regular price£135.00
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This delicious work of Swedish Mid Century Modern design is by Mari Simmulson (b. 1911- d. 2000) for Upsala Ekeby. Simmulson was a celebrated Swedish ceramics designer and ceramicist, known for many series she designed at Upsala Ekeby which went on to become classics.
This hand-thrown and hand-glazed work comes from Simmulson's well-known Ringo series, there are eighteen works of earthenware bowls and vases that were designed in 1965. The series is characterised by the delightfully textured Chocolate Cookies unglazed earthenware body that is overlaid with the Dark Chocolate striped bands of semi matte glaze. The silky Dark Chocolate glaze is also beautifully featured on the neck, shoulders and underside of the vase, juxtaposing the earthenware. This particular piece is finished with a circle of semi-matte Pale Lemon dots, an iconic accent to the series. The form of this piece and of the series is undeniably Modernist in design, highlighting the seamless harmony of function, form and the raw materials.
CONDITION Excellent - there are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is age commensurate wear in the form of faint movement marks on the underside of the base. The underside of the base is inscribed with Upsala Ekebys 'UE Sweden' and Simmulson's 'ms' monogram as well as the model number '5059M'.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 5,1" / 13 cm tall (from base to rim). Rim measurements: c. 2.6" / 6.7 cm. Diameter: c. 4.3" / 11 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3.5" / 8.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 615 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Mari Peterson Särgava, ceramicist and textile artist (b. 1911- d. 2000) began her career with an internship with Arabia in Finland and it was during this time she married Gustaf Simmulson.
Simmulson moved to Sweden in 1944 and began working with Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsbergs, staying until 1949. Her career took her to Uppsala Ekeby in 1949, where she designed vases, figures, reliefs and wall paintings, many of them noted as unique pieces. She became a leading designer at Uppsala Ekeby where she remained until the early 1970s. Simmulson also received commissions for public pieces including at Luleå Kol, Upplandsbanken and Pharmacia.
Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Duo: Blue Rainbow Vase and Blue Starlight Palette Lidded Pot, Rare
Regular price£148.00
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This elegantly ethereal duo of handblown Swedish art glass miniatures is by Bertil Vallien, (b. 1938 - ), internationally celebrated Swedish glass artist, sculptor, ceramist, and designer for Kosta Boda, one of Sweden's leading glassworks.
Those familiar with the process of hand-blowing or hot working glass will know that glass needs to reach 1,320 °C (2,400 °F) to melt and even the working temperature is 1,090 °C (2,000 °F). This knowledge helps to appreciate the care, effort, and skill required to create these miniature works of art glass.
The blue pipe vase bearing the signature winding stripes is from Vallien's Rainbow series, designed in the 1980s. However, it is created in the uncommon and translucent Pale Powdered blue with traces of a golden-sand toned frit glass interwoven into the body.
The lidded pot is even more unusual and has not been attributable to a series, though it is a Vallien signed piece with its original label intact. The body and lid are also in an airy, Pale Powdered blue tone, very similar to the tone used in Vallien's Starlight series. The piece is finished with a clear curl finial on the lid.
Both pieces carry labels that display the parent company of Kosta Boda AB, this name came into use in 1976 before changing to Orrefors Kosta Boda AB in 1989.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs, please see photos as they form part of the condition report. - Blue Rainbow Vase - the piece is inscribed with "BODA, ARTIST COL, B VALLIEN, 48282" - Starlight Blue Lidded pot - the piece is inscribed with "Kosta Boda, B Vallien"
MEASUREMENTS - Blue Rainbow Vase: Height: c. 2.5" / 6.3 cm x c. 1.8" / 4.6 cm rim diameter. Base diameter: c. 1.3" / 3.2 cm. - Starlight Blue Lidded pot: Height: c. 4.1" / 10.5 cm (including lid). Diameter: c. 2.3" / 5.9 cm. Unpackaged weight [all pieces]: c. 0.2 kg / 225 g
NOTES Duo will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Born 1938, Bertil Vallien was only 15 when he left home, drawn by the allure of the big city. After a series of occasional jobs, as a window-dresser at one of the main department stores in Stockholm, and as an apprentice in his father's decorating firm, Vallien would eventually decide to become an artist which would lead him into the world of ceramics. The guidance he received in his early career included that of Stig Lindberg - one of Sweden's foremost designers of ceramic art and one of the leading designers for Rörstrand in the 1970's.
Today, Vallien is one of the most well-known representatives of 20th century Swedish ceramic and art glass design and is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design as well as abroad in the Everson Museum of Art of New York. Vallien's works have only become more collectable over the years with sculptures from his Head and Journey (Boat) series fetching up to $20,000 USD.
Reiner Gehrig, Grünstadt Studio, Matte Cedar, Sand and Blue Running Glaze Bottle Vase | 1980s
Regular price£289.00
Save £-289.00
This exquisite work of 70s Modernist studio art ceramic is by master ceramist Reiner Gehrig (b. 1938 - ) Grünstadt Studio. Gehrig owned Grünstadt, enjoying a long and successful career before retiring in 2013.
This brilliantly executed work is a shining example of Gehrig's signature style, a fusion of a sculpted, lightly geometric, polished form combined with a touch-inviting, sumptuous running glaze.
The deceptively simple bottle form is crafted with inflection points which create the three softly geometric segments and is finished with an elegantly tapered neck. The base glaze to this piece is a rich hares fur glaze of matte brown tones from deep Umber to tones of warm Cedar, Cinnamon and Coffee. Overlaid onto the base glaze is resplendent running blue glaze in tones of Azure, Cobalt, Aegean and Indigo which intersperses with earthy hues of Cedar and Blonde.
CONDITION Excellent- no chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear on the underside of the base that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Mentioned for completeness: there is the polishing on the underside of the base that is from the production process and is not damage. Please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside also bears Gehrig's signature 'g' pottery mark.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 7.5" / 19 cm tall by c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm wide (across the body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 1.9" / 4.8 cm. Rim diameter: c. 0.6" / 1.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 630 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Gehrig began apprenticing with ceramics in 1954, at the age of 16. He would work his way through apprenticeship to journeyman until he attended and graduated in 1961 from the master class with Hubert Griemert (b. 1905 - d. 1990) in Höhr-Grenzhause. Griemert was an important figure in the German studio pottery world, a professor, master potter who often designed for KPM Berlin.
After graduating, Gehrig spent some years working for recognised names such as JLKnödgen, Van Daalen, Ulmer Keramik, Steingutfabrik Grünstadt before establishing his own studio in 1974.
Gehrig is known for having quickly and confidently developed his own style, becoming particularly proficient with turning difficult forms. He was known to work in ceramic, porcelain, stoneware and developing a rich range of glazes, from running to salt glaze.
In his long career, Gehrig was awarded the Palatinate Prize for arts and crafts and his work features in collections at the Deidesheim, Museum of Modern Ceramics, Höhr-Grenzhausen, and the Ceramic Museum Westerwald Mainz, Ministry of Culture.
Regular price
£268.00Sale price£182.00
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THE ITEM This stunning work is of Modernist art glass is a celebration of the highly skilled Murano Sommerso technique. Sommerso is one of the most famous Murano techniques, ['Sommerso' translation: 'submerged']. Sommerso is used to create several layers of glass (usually with different contrasting colours) inside a single object, giving the illusion of immersed' colours without mixing. This technique is easily recognisable; characterised by an outer 'casing' of clear glass and the thick 'bands' of coloured glass inside it.
This particular piece has the sought after triple-layer Sommerso, beginning with a core of Apple green, the next layer is vibrant Ocean blue and the final layer is a graduating Magenta pink. The work is finished with the wings of Azure blue which flourish with a flare at the rim.
The cased layers are arranged in an abstract pitcher shape with a gently exaggerated rim. The effect of each colour is similar to freezing the moment in time when a paintbrush is dipped into water and the colour ripples outwards.
This exceptional piece is unique as it features Kintsugi golden seams following a careful repair and highlighting process and even rarer as Kintsugi is typically applied to repairing ceramics rather than glass. The Kintsugi technique used is modern and has been applied in a tactile manner, a striking compliment to the colour palette of this piece.
CONDITION Excellent. This piece has been carefully repaired using a robust water-resistant and durable resin. There is natural and very mild surface wear that is commensurate with the age of the piece.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 7.8" / 20 cm tall by c. 4.3" / 11 cm width (across body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Depth: c. 2.4" / 6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.1 kg / 1,135 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
Kintsugi is a Japanese philosophy with similarities to the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, which includes ideas surrounding the embracing of the flawed or imperfect. The art of Kintsugi ("golden joinery") is typically the repairing of broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The aesthetics of this philosophy values breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.
Daum 'Fleur de Coloquinte' French Art Nouveau Satin Cameo Glass Vase | c. 1900s, Antique
Regular price£10,968.00
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This exceptional work of French Art Nouveau cameo glass is by one of the most prominent glassworks Daum, based in the city of Nancy (1878 - present). The Daum studio creates their art in crystal and remains as one of the only studios who use the pâte de verre process for art glass and crystal sculptures.
Designed and crafted in the 1900s, the form and glowing ethereal palette of this piece is a rare combination that has made it a feature in the dedicated book "Daum - Maitres Verriers" by Edita Denoel, (Edita S.A. Lausanne, 1980, p. 61). The base colour palette is composed of cool and faintly opalescent pale blue tones, which has been overlaid with the tactile golden-hued Zucchini leaves, stems, flower buds and tendrils in high relief.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear to the surface that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The vase bears the Daum Nancy signature with the Croix de Lorraine mark.
MEASUREMENTS Height c. 9.8" / 25 cm by c. 3.9" / 10 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim (opening) diameter: c. 2.4" / 6.2 cm. Base diameter: c. 3" / 7.7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.8 kg / 825 gm.
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Founded in 1878 by Jean Daum, the studio rose to prominence during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco period (1890 - 1910, 1908 - 1935), capturing the attention and imagination of collectors all over the world. Daum would exhibit at Paris International Exhibition in 1889, a pivotal event which marked the birth of the French Art Nouveau movement. With leading artists such as Henri Berge, Almaric Walter, Charles Schneider and Jacques Gruber, the studio would go on to win their first ‘Grand Prix’ in 1900.
The studio continued its ascent to international fame around this time, which further elevated when they began to create their art with pâte-de-verre, a glass-making technique first used over five thousand years ago in the early world. Fueled by international success, the studio would broaden their range to glass art objects and enter into a period of phenomenal development. The studio revolutionised techniques by experimenting with materials such as acids, colour powders, fluorine hydrogen and enamel. Collaboration with leading designers was also a common aspect of Daum's exploration and creativity, working with names such as Louis Majorelle, Eugene Galles, Emile Wirts and Salvador Dali.
Today, Daum is well known for creating pieces in high quality, crystal glass.
1996 Atelier MicMac by Bea Schröder, Striking Pictographic Abstract Painting in Red | Signed, Dated
Regular price£313.00
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THE ITEM This vivaciously spirited and tactile composition is by German artist Bea Schröder from Atelier MicMac, Düsseldorf, Germany.
This particular piece is an earlier work that incorporates a broad spectrum of techniques as well as multiple media types, brought together to create an expression of Schröder's pictographic and symbol-based 'MicMac' art form.
Schröder's MicMac repertoire includes translations of hieroglyphs, petroglyphs from the ancient times, modern iconographic signs of our time, as well as symbols from the Mi'kmaq Indians, one of the First Nations who still live in Canada.
From an interview with the artist; "You don't need an ethnologist to decipher it. You just have to listen to your inner voice." “You recognize the signs, even if you don't know them. The brain begins to work with them and develop their own interpretations.”
CONDITION Superb. There is negligible age wear that is commensurable with the age of the piece, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The bottom right corner of the painting is signed with Schröder's signature and dated to 1996.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 19.7" / 50 cm tall x c. 19.7" / 50 cm width. Depth: c. 1.2" / 3 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,630 gm.
NOTES Painting will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Schröder has been a freelance artist since 1992 and enjoyed such success that she went on to establish her own art studio Atelier MicMac in Dusseldorf, Germany.
In Schröder's own words, her art form is MicMac, inspired by her first encounter with the emotional power of symbols used by the Mi'kmaq Indians, one of the First Nations who still live in Canada.
She has incorporated many of the Mi'kmaq symbols into her art as well as being inspired by the bright colours and simple symbols from the Neolithic caves, which were originally used by people to communicate within their communities. Schroder says “Today's caves are homes and workplaces" and translates hieroglyphs and petroglyphs from ancient times into contemporary symbolic languages. She sees her art of communication and motivation as "cave painting for the 21st century".
Antique 1900s Kralik Draped Decor, Iridescent Cranberry and Silver Collared Bohemian Art Glass Vase
Regular price£92.00
Save £-92.00
This exceptional and rare work of Art Nouveau, Art Deco art glass is by Bohemian glassworks Kralik. The decor of this piece is the well documented 'Draped', which as the name suggests, has the effect of draped fabric. The textured, 'draped' surface effect is combined with the gold-toned iridescence of the art glass gives the effect of draped Cranberry pink satin.
The piece is finished with a silver collar accent (hallmarked to Birmingham Assay Office 1903-1904), which complements its elegant bottle form and was common to art glass design during the Art Nouveau period.
BIT OF HISTORY The Kralik glassworks, full name Wilhelm Kralik Sohne, was originally founded by Josef Meyr in 1815, in Bohemia. The factory was originally called Adolfshutte. When Josef died, his son Jan took over the company. By this time, the company owned four glass factories. Jan died in 1841, and his two nephews Josef Taschek and Wilhelm Kralik became the owners. The company name was changed to J. Meyr's Neffen, and when Josef died in 1862, the name changed to J. Meyr's Neffe.
Wilhelm Kralik died in 1877, and left the company to his 4 sons. The company was split in two - Heinrich and Johann took the name Wilhelm Kralik Sohne, Hugo and Karl used the name Meyr's Neffe. Meyr's Neffe merged with Moser in 1922. Wilhelm Kralik Sohne continued to produce glassware until World War II.
CONDITION Superb. There are no chips, cracks or repair to the glass, there is the mild sanding at the rim that is visible as a result of the wear to the silver collar and is from the production process. There is a single bubbling measuring c. 0.2 mm which is from the production process and has been mentioned for completeness. There is significant and visible wear to the silver collar which can be left untouched for its antique charm or replaced if preferred. Please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The silver collar is hallmarked to the Birmingham Assay Office, 1903-1904, the silversmith mark is unclear but has been attributed as 'AHD', Alfred Horatio Darby who was active from 1895 to 1933.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 7.3" / 18.5 cm (from base to rim) x max diameter: c. 2.9" / 7.5 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1" / 2.7 cm. Base diameter: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 228 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
Rubus Series by Gunnar Muskos, 'Hjortron' Cloudberry Lantern, Amber Glass and Brass, Swedish, 1980s
Regular price£263.00
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This very rare, adorable and utterly charming piece of Swedish history is the 'Hjortron' [Cloudberry] lantern from the Rubus series designed by Gunnar Muskos at Trollhedens Design in Boden, Northern Sweden.
The Rubus series includes many designs for lighting based on the raspberry, cloudberry and blackberry. The lanterns, like this Cloudberry piece are all with brass leaves as feet. The actual glass is likely to have been handblown at Mantorp Glasbruk, a glassworks based in the town of Mantorp with a population of c. 3,700.
The bubbly form of the glass provides a fantastic canvas for candlelight within to play with and during brighter days, sunlight. The warmth and glow created, as well as the refractions from the tactile bubble surface, is positively joyful.
CONDITION Superb. No chips, cracks or repairs. Mentioned for completeness: the rim of the glass has one negligible flake measuring c. 0.1 mm and 2 similar sized flakes on the base rim, and the brass has minor surface wear that is commensurable with age. Please see photos as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS Height c. 4.3" / 11 cm x c. 6.3" / 16 cm in width (max diameter across base). Diameter of glass: c. 4.6" / 12 cm (across widest point).Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 354 gm.
NOTES Lantern will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
Ditmar Urbach, Modernist Tower Ceramic Vase in Silk Black and Blue-Greys | Czech, 1960s
Regular price£63.00
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THE ITEM This stunning work of mid-century design is by Czech pottery Ditmar Urbach. The elegant tower form is softly geometric from its square base and is an excellent canvas for the poured, running glaze decor. The base glossy glaze is a semi-matte silken Black glaze, over which is poured and blended the layers of translucent as well as opaque teal, green, blue and grey gloss glaze. The curves of the vase helps to create the beautiful flowing trails.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild and negligible use wear on the interior and the exterior that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the vase base is marked with Ditmar Urbach's stamp and retains the original paper label denoting 'Keramické Závody Teplice' which loosely translates as 'Ceramic Works Teplice'.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 11.2" / 28.6 cm tall by 3.1" / 8 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim Opening diameter: c. 1.3" / 3.2 cm. Base diameter: c. 2.6" / 6.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1 kg / 954 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Ditmar-Urbach AG Porcelain Factories operated under various names in Turn-Teplitz, Bohemia (later Trnovany, Czechoslovakia), from 1882 to 1938. The pottery began as Brothers Urbach. It merged with a factory owned by Rudolf Ditmar's heirs in 1919 and became Ditmar-Urbach.
The Nazis took over the factory from the Jewish owners in 1938 and it became part of Ostmark-Ceramic. It was nationalized after the end of the war in 1945. In 1947 Kurt Lichtenstern - heir to Ditmar Urbach's previous owner Richard Lichtenstern - who had emigrated to the U.S. and changed his name to Conrad H. Lester, took back the company. The final change was when the company was eventually taken over in 1967 by the Keramik Holding Laufen, which is now part of the ROCA group.
Ditmar Urbach produced in a broad range of styles for their decor and are well known for their handpainted Art Deco animal-themed kitchenalia and 'Alienware' series, named by collectors for their unusual combination of shapes, colours and glazes.
Emons & Sohne | ES Keramik Foam Lava and Sgraffito Decor Ceramic Bud Vase, 1950s, rare
Regular price£54.00
Save £-54.00
THE ITEM This delicious work of mid-century Modernist design is by Emons & Sohne, ES Keramik of Germany.
The simple Solifleur bud vase form is an excellent canvas for the glaze decor. The base glaze is a matte charcoal brown that is visible through Sgrafitto decor that sits on the collar of the vase. The Sgraffito decor is an interlocking of soft lemon sherbert yellow and mint green gloss glaze.
The remainder of the vase is overlaid with the matte stone-coloured and tightly bubbled foam lava and the piece is finished with an accent of the yellow glaze on the interior of the vase.
This piece makes an elegant addition to any lava or drip glaze collection and would suit a room with Vintage, Mid Century or Modernist theme inspired decor.
CONDITION Excellent, no chips, cracks or crazing as might be expected for a piece of this age; there is light use wear on the interior of the vase that is commensurate with the age of the piece - please see photos as part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS c. 6.4" / 16.2 cm tall x c. 1.6" / 4 cm diameter across the base of the vase. Width (across widest point): c. 3.1" / 8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 230 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY ES Keramik was founded in Rheinbach in 1921 by Josef Emons & Söhne. The studio began producing art ceramics began during the 1950s with Willi Hack as the main designer. Hans Kraemer was also another designer who began working for ES from 1952 until 1968, producing 15-20 designs per year. ES employed around 70 people at its height and was known for their high quality, beautiful glazes.
Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Rare 'Caolina' Black Glaze, Modernist Stoneware Bull Sculpture, 1960s
Regular price£496.00
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THE ITEM This exceptional work of mid-century Modernist design is by the renowned ceramic artist and designer Gunnar Nylund, (b.1904 - d.1997). Nylund became well known for his 'matte feldspar' glazed stoneware, crystal glazes and for his stoneware animal sculptures. This piece was designed during his time as artistic director at Rörstrand.
This sculpture is flowing in form, with beautifully sculpted minimalist contours which quietly highlights its muscular feinting posture. The piece is glazed using the matte black on pale green glaze used in Nylunds 'Caolina' series.
Both the form and the glaze of this piece is a rarely seen combination by Nylund, the silky smooth glazed decor and form makes this a very tactile piece. This sculpture would be well suited to a room with decor inspired by Mid Mod, Modernist, Contemporary or even Industrialist themes.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The base bears the inscribed Rörstrand stamp that bears the inscription of 'Rorstrand' and Nylund's initials 'GN'.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 4.5" / 11.5 cm by c. 7.8" / 20 cm in length (from nose to tail) by c. 3.6" / 9.1 cm in width (across body's widest point). Unpackaged weight: 0.8 kg / 845 g
NOTES Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be 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.
Murano by Licio Zanetti Neodymium Alexandrite Handblown Art Glass Bird Sculpture, Signed, 1970s
Regular price£329.00
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This exceptional sculpture of handblown stylised art glass is by the glass master Licio Zanetti.This work is crafted from Alexandrite Neodymium glass and the technique used is likely Masello, given the weight, size and delicate elements of the sculpture and favoured by Licio.
The allurement of this piece extends beyond the craftsmanship and that is in the Neodymium glass, a chemical element that is incorporated into the glass during the crafting process. Neodymium is sometimes known as Alexandrite, which changes colour from lilac under incandescent light or daylight and blue under fluorescent, household lights.
A BIT OF HISTORY Founded in 1956 by Oscar Zanetti, Zanetti Murano Glassworks is a true family-run business and has since been handed down father to son for four generations. The glassworks quickly distinguished itself from the artistic quality of master Licio Zanetti's glass sculptures.
The glass studio soon took its place among the most prestigious companies on the island and has become one of the most important furnaces on Murano. Today, sculptures are sold through exclusive galleries in the city of Venice and selected partners around the world.
Massello is the technique used in Murano since the 1930s. The technique gives shape to hot glass held by a rod and uses the same tools as is used in blown glass-working. It's a technique with a strong visual impact, where the glass master uses precise movements.
CONDITION Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs, there is minimal wear in the form of mild movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with age. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears Licio Zanetti's signature 'Zanetti L'.
MEASUREMENTS c. 17.7" / 45 cm in height x 13.7" / 35 cm width from beak to tail. Base diameter: 3.9" / 10 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.3 kg / 2,259 g
NOTES Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
Pentti Sarpaneva, Oy Kumela for Turun Hopea 1972 Modernist Silver and Blue Art Glass Vase, Finnish
Regular price£126.00
Save £-126.00
THE ITEM This beautiful work of Scandinavian Modernist design is by Pentti Sarpaneva (b.1925 - d. 1978) Finnish jewellery and decorative designer. This piece was produced by Oy Kumela glassworks for jewellers Torun Hopea.
Sarpaneva's style was influenced by elements of the rugged Finnish landscape, casting textures from materials such as tree bark and rock. Other inspirations included traditional Finnish lace and the metals he worked with.
The design of this piece encapsulates much of Sarpaneva's style, his inspirations and the Modernist design influences of the time. The Cornflower blue glass surface shows off a number of textured and angular circular and semi-circular reliefs. The piece is finished with the silver collar that is decorated in Sarpaneva's rugged lace design that can be found in his jewellery designs. However, the collar being cast in silver is a rare find as this series of vases is typically found with a bronze collar.
CONDITION
Very Good, no chips, cracks or repairs to the glass, there is patinated wear and marring to the silver that is commensurate with the age of the piece - please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed 'Pentti Sarpaneva' and 'Oy Kumela' and bears the original silver label 'Turun Hopea, Made in Finland'. The silver collar is also marked with '830' representing the purity of the silver and 'T7' which denotes the year 1972.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 3.1" / 8 cm tall x c. 2.8" / 7.2 cm length x c. 2.8" / 7.2 cm width. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 368 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Pentti Sarpaneva (b.1925 - d. 1978) Sarpaneva trained in graphic design, at the Institute of Industrial Art and following the war, began his design career in the late 1950s. He designed for Kalevala Koru Oy and later in 1967, he became artistic director for Turun Hopea, remaining there until his death.
Unique amongst his contemporaries, Sarpaneva would cast his designs straight from nature and the man-made environment, often using rocks and tree bark, as well as discarded rope and lace. During the height of his career, he was known for producing emotive, avant-garde, bold and eccentric designs.
Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller Mid Century Modern Brass Horse Figurines, 1950s - 60s, Austrian
Regular price£185.00
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THE ITEM Presenting this pair of beautifully stylised, Modernist brass horses mounted to the polished solid wood base is by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller. These figures carry the influences typical of the Mid Century Modern design, which would have been at the height of its popularity during the time these horses were crafted.
Mid Century Modern design influences can include an 'atomic feel' that transforms ordinary geometric shapes into curves and waves and the exaggeration of length or stylising and this influence is evident in the design of this piece. An elegant and sophisticated accent piece that would suit a room with decor themes of vintage, contemporary, Mid Century Modern and even Industrial.
CONDITION Excellent, no damage, there is natural wear that is commensurable with age is present, please see photographs as part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm (of larger horse). Height: c. 6.1" / 15.5 cm tall (including base) x c. 4.3" / 11 cm width (from nose to tail of larger horse). Wood base: length c. 4.6" / 11.7 cm x width c. 2.8" / 7 cm Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 466 g
NOTES Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904 – December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal figurines. Bosse’s work grew in popularity and a number of his pieces were shown at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in 1925. He started designing for Augarten Porcelain Works (1924) as well as Goldscheider (1926) and Metzler and Ortloff (1927). In 1931, to meet increasing demand (especially in America). In the late 1940s, Bosse began experimenting with brass by giving his ceramic figures a metal coating to protect them from breakage.
He formed a partnership with Hertha Baller, whose company (the Hertha Baller Company) manufactured and marketed the brass figurines, this collaboration was called the Bosse/Baller company. In the early 1950s, Bosse and Baller began exploring a new style of brass called the “Black Gold Line” or "Black Golden Line" of brass figurines. He transitioned all of his efforts to brass and the figures became popular worldwide.
In Vienna, the Herta Baller Company continued to make and sell Bosse's designs. Bosse also collaborated with Karlsruhe State Majolika Works on a number of pottery animal figures.
Pair of 1950s Murano by Archimede Seguso, Neodymium Sommerso Pheasant Bird Sculptures, Labelled
Regular price
£568.00Sale price£466.00
Save £102.00
THE ITEM
These superb works of Seguso art glass in sculpted Modernist design.
The pheasant forms of these pieces by Seguso are well known, with their few delineations and light detail to represent the creatures they depict.
However, what is rare is that both these pieces are sculpted into the pheasant form using the combination of Neodymium glass and the Sommerso technique of capturing the deep pink colour within glass. Both pieces have also retained their original 1950s Archimede Seguso paper label.
Neodymium, sometimes known as Alexandrite, is a chemical element that is incorporated into the glass during the crafting process. The glass has the ability to change colour from lilac under incandescent light or daylight to a crisp blue under fluorescent, household lights.
Elegantly simple in design, with the softly ridged curves providing an excellent canvas for the refraction of light. Placed in the path of sunlight, these pieces have coloured refractions dancing on the walls.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Born in 1909, shy, brilliant and quite distinguished, Archimede Seguso was a man of intellect, he used the art of glass making to express himself. Seguso would come up with different methods and techniques never seen before in glass making and it was this boldness mixed with his genius that positioned him as a reference point for other artists and artisans.
Glass made by the Seguso furnace can be found in over 75 museums worldwide, such as MOMA in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Today, Seguso is known for its high end Venetian glass objects with glass being made for the Pope, Royalty and numerous luxury interiors throughout the world.
CONDITION
Very Good and Excellent. There is a chip to the underside of the base of one bird that is not visible when the bird is upright. There is mild use wear, predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside of the bases of both birds - please refer to photos as part of condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
c. 8.7" / 22 cm tall (from base to highest point) x c. 14.2" / 36 cm in length (from beak to end of tail) and c. 2.8" / 7 cm width (across base)
Unpackaged weight [pair]: c. 2.4 kg / 2,366 g
NOTES
Sculptures will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
Istvan Komaromy, Art Deco Lampworked Pale Blue ‘Marble’ Glass Stag on Marble Base | 1950s British
Regular price£543.00
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THE ITEM This fantastical Art Deco stag sculpture is handmade from lampworked glass by master glass sculptor Istvan Komaromy (b.1910 - d.1975). Described as the 'Michelangelo of glass', Komaromy numbered royal families, amongst those who collected and commissioned his work.
Komaromy produced his work by hand without the use of assistants and all of his glass pieces were made using a Bunsen burner to transform solid or tubular coloured, or opaque glass rods into the most delicate shapes. A short clip of his exceptional talent at work can be seen in the archives of the British Pathe website: Istvan Komaromy - Blow Pipe Art! 1935
This elysian piece presents the stag as balancing on a black glass ball, a characteristic common to Komaromy's pieces produced in the 1950s, as is the mounting of the piece to the marble plinth. The arched, sculpted curves and stylised contours bring elegance on many levels, from the form and posture of the overall piece to details such as the delicate eyes, horns and tail. The glass itself is a blend of opaque pale blue, translucent opalescent and hairline swirls of charcoal grey, giving an overall effect of marble.
Note: accompanying this piece is also an original brochure.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is lined with protective felt.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 9.6" / 24.5 cm tall (from horns to plinth base) x c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm width (from nose to tail). Base measurements: c. 2.9" / 7.5 cm x c. 2.9" / 7.3 cm
A BIT OF HISTORY Komaromy was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1910 but grew up in Budapest studying science at the university. He began making scientific glassware to sell to his fellow students for additional income, which led him to experiment with creating artistic Art Deco pieces. Komaromy showed some of his glass pieces to his University professor, who was so impressed that he persuaded Istvan to give up his scientific studies and become a glass artist. He arranged sponsorship so that Komaromy could travel to major exhibitions around Europe, at which the young glass artist was successful in winning a number of gold and silver medals (the estimate is as many as 16).
By 1935 he was visiting Britain as a celebrity artist, giving demonstrations all over the country including venues specialising in high-quality glassware, such as Harrods in London. He was featured on British Pathe News that year, making a beautiful glass figurine - a 'dancer' - and also a statue of the cameraman filming him. The short film entitled 'Istvan Komaromy - Blow Pipe Art! 1935' can be found in Pathe News archives on their website.
Komaromy would eventually move to London in 1937 and in 1939, he set up his glassworks in Croydon. He numbered several Royal families amongst those who collected and commissioned his work. In 1953 he made a leaping stag and two does on a wooden stand, known as 'The Leader' for Queen Elizabeth's coronation. It is thought that the Queen collected a number of Komaromy's pieces. Although famous for his 'dancers' - which were popular items and sold very well in specialist glass outlets, he also sculpted other classical figures, animals such as does, stags and horses. His range extended to candelabras, goblets and decanters, vases, abstract forms and complicated figure studies. He used over 200 kinds of glass, often manufactured by Pilkington's to his own recipes.
During his lifetime Komaromy frequently featured on television and radio and in art magazines; his work is held in the archives of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and in the Pilkington's Museum of Glass, as well as in the Museum for Applied Arts in Budapest, Hungary.
Guérin by Roger Guérin, Double-Sided Decor Salt-Glaze Stoneware Vase | 1940s, Belgian, Rare
Regular price£2,088.00
Save £-2,088.00
This stunning work of art by Roger Guerin hints at Northwest Pacific tribal symbolism with the abstract bear and jaybird decor. This hand-thrown vase is an outstanding example of his work, featuring unusual spouts and additions to its shape as well as hand-incised decorations offers high artistic value.
This piece is hand-glazed with a rich mix of earth tones and shades of metallic cobalt blue, copper, pale green, deep and light browns. The special technique of salt glazing gives beautifully rich and variegated surface effect, making it even more unique.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear to the glaze that is consistent with age and use. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the vase bears Guerin's inscribed signature 'guerin' and number 'A25.6'.
MEASUREMENTS Height c. 10.2" / 26 cm tall by c. 8" / 20 cm diameter (across the body's widest point). Rim diameter: c. 3.3" / 8.5 cm. Base diameter: c. 3.9" / 9.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.8 kg / 1,817 gm.
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Leading ceramicist Roger Guerin or Guérin (1896-1954 ) was a renowned Belgian studio master ceramicist from the village of Bouffioulx near Charleroi. He started his own workshop in 1918 and specialised in experimental salt-glaze techniques at the height of the Art Deco era.
Guerin's use of flowing glazes was typical in his work and he was true to the history of this region, often working on a type of hard ceramic (fired to over 1250 degrees Celsius), which had been made there since the late Middle Ages. His work won a medal at the Paris Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in 1925 and was exhibited in 1937 as well as internationally.
Guérin pottery was produced in short runs. Each piece is numbered and unique, which makes them extra special to have and enjoy.