Beswick Pottery, Modernist Asymmetric Handled Chimney Vase, Geometric Glaze Décor, British

Discover the intersection of art and design with this Japanese studio work. On prominent display are echoes of Toyo Ito's visionary design ethos, and the evident appreciation for innovative structural and construction approaches. A seamless blend of Postmodern and Brutalist design, the central feature appearing on both sides of the vase is the highly tactile graduated steps in hues of gloss Charcoal overlaid onto the base of pale Sandstone tone. The layout of the steps carries design whispers of Escher and an almost Bionic quality. This is offset and complimented by an equally organic semi-matte Cyberpunk net in the ethereal golden tones resting on the opposing shoulder of the vase. 

A firm statement piece in excellent condition. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips or repairs. There are faint movement marks on the underside of the base commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The body of the vase bears the artist's mark that has yet to be identified. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.8" / 22.3 cm tall x c. 11" / 28 cm length (across widest point). Depth: c. 3.9" / 10 cm.  Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,330 g

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

This striking work of Swedish Mid-Century Modernist design the signed work of Marian Zawadski (b. 1912 - d. 1978) a professor, artist, and ceramist who became artistic director for Tilgmans Keramik of Gothenburg, Sweden during the 1950s. 

Zawadski's experimentation with the Sgraffito technique brought great popularity and appreciation for Tilgman's ceramics and his work became exemplary for Tilgmans. 

Zawadski's stylised use of the Sgraffito technique is a significant feature in this piece, with deep incisions creating the heavily arched, angular, and textured décor. True to the roots of Modernist design, the simple bottle form with boldly geometric décor overlaid onto the base material speaks to an honest expression of the natural earthenware. From the incised décor to the glaze to the earthenware, all aspects are highly tactile. The unglazed sections create a confident contrast against the individually glazed sections of boldly geometric, Sgraffito décor. The vase is finished with an interior of gloss glaze that is coloured in Powdered Duck Egg tone. 

This Swedish Modernist work is stylistically bold and timeless, making it suitable as a statement feature for its surrounding space.

CONDITION
Superb. No cracks or repairs. There are minor, negligible chips on the exterior which are commensurate with the age of the piece, and mild use wear on the interior. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The base of the body is incised with Zawadski's signature 'A.M.Z' and dated '1966'. The underside of the base of the vase is stamped with 'Tilgmans Keramik' and 'Made in Sweden' stamp and model number '620'. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 22.2" / 56.5 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 4.5" / 11.5 cm rim diameter. Base diameter: c. 6.1" / 15.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 5.8 kg / 5,800 g.

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Marian Zawadski (b. 1912 - d. 1978)
Antoni Marian Zawadski (sometimes known as 'Zawadzki' or 'Zawadsky') was an associate professor, artist, and ceramist, was born in Poland in 1912 who, as a refugee, moved to Gothenburg in Sweden in 1953. In Gothenburg, he worked as an artistic director at Tilgmans Keramik. Zawadski is best known for his richly decorated objects in the Sgraffito technique.

His works included lamp bases, vases, bowls, urns and wall plates and he would receive commissions for public, municipal, and private buildings. Zawadski would leave Tilgman's Ceramics in 1970, moving to Vallda outside Kungsbacka where he opened his own workshop, Vallda Keramik. The production in his own workshop is very similar to his work at Tilgmans.

This elegantly glamourous work of Art Deco design is by the British Pottery Crown Devon. Like much of Art Deco design, there is a focus on shape and absence of extravagance, however, the form of this piece also carries strong echoes of the Art Deco Odeon style.

Art Deco Odeon style references the revolution in British style brought about by the c.260 Odeon cinemas that sprung up across the UK from the late 1920s. Over 13 years, Oscar Deutsch created a circuit of cinemas where the buildings celebrated Art Deco Modernism with sweeping, simple yet strongly defined lines.

The central feature of the vase is the plinthed conical form that is complimented by the strongly defined straight and curved 'struts' on either side. The glaze across the entire palette of Powdered Verdigris, Latte and Slate-Blue is semi-matte, giving understated refinement to the stylised leaf design.

Timeless in style and when combined with the featured design; the size and overall condition of this piece make this a rare find. 

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips or repairs. There is mild surface wear to movement marks on the underside of the base 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 base bears Crown Devon's stamp and the model number '2406'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.6" / 19.3 cm (from base to rim) x c. 5.5" / 14 cm diameter (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 4.1" / 10.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.7 kg / 725 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY

Crown Devon Fieldings (1870 - 1982) The pottery was founded in 1870 by Simon Fieldings in Stoke on Trent but it would be 10 years later before they began to produce Majolica style pottery that was popular during the 1880s. Their product range began to expand in the 1890s, working with British United Clock company and they would continue to expand their product range as popularity flourished after successful world trade fairs in the 1900s. They sustained their success for over a century before sadly closing in 1982 at the time of the recession.

This subtly bold work of Art Deco design is British pottery Beswick. With strong curves that infer Streamline Moderne, the international style of Art Deco that emerged in the 1930s was inspired by aerodynamic design. The elevated and sharp overlapping fins that form the triangular mouth of this piece capture attention with its presence. The overall form is a superb backdrop for the contrasting glaze decor.

The interior of the mouth is a striking Mint green which beautifully compliments the semi-matte drip glaze composition of Cobalt Blue, Flax Yellow that is finished with an accent of Sienna brown. The flow of the glaze beautifully contrasts against the strongly defined geometric lines of the piece.

The various elements in the design bring sleek sophistication and elegance suiting a room with decor inspired by Modernist, Art Deco, or Contemporary design influences. The excellent condition, model and palette of this work are a rare find.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips or cracks. There is mild crazing to the glaze and light wear that is most evident on the underside of the feet which is commensurable with the age of the piece, please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the feet is faintly embossed with 'BESWICK ENGLAND' and only the belly underside, the model number '178'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.5" / 19 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 7.1" / 18 cm in length (across the widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.0 kg / 980 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
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
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

This vibrant handblown work of mid-century Japanese 'Fazzoletto' art glass is by Hokuyo Glassworks. Glass collectors familiar with the Murano technique Fazzoletto (translation 'handkerchief) will know that this is the art of crafting glass to mimic the elegant flowing folds of fabric.

Elegant and graceful, the curves that shape the 6 lobed 'petals' rise and fall asymmetrically to create an organic 'unfurling'. The Hokuyo interpretation of the Fazzoletto technique, the exterior of this piece has the palette of rich Scarlet red with light swathes of Charcoal ending in a clear casing at the base. The interior is a sumptuous Milk-white strikingly offsetting the red exterior. 

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.

CONDITION
Excellent. There are faint movement marks that are on the underside of the base. All wear is commensurable with age. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base has a concave pontil, a known finishing touch of many Japanese glassworks.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.5" / 21.5 cm (base to rim). Width: c. 7.1" / 18 cm (across widest point). Base measurement: c. 3.3" / 8.3 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,555 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Hokuyo Glassworks
Founded in 1949 in the prefecture of Aomori in Japan, Hokuyo built a reputation for producing glass floats for fishing and eventually became known as a top producer by the early 1970s. Around this time, the glassworks also became known for producing Tsugaru Bidoro (Tsugaru glass) and experimenting with vibrant art glass. 

Tsugaru Bidoro is created by a 'free-blown' technique of glass-blowing originating in the 1st Century BC. Over the years, Hokuyo has continued to experiment with molding technology and coloured glass that today, emphasises the four seasons with colour as well as the 'creator's feelings and passion'.