This magnificently hand-built and illustrated work of art ceramic is by celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, textiles, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006). This particular piece was created for the prestigious Illums Bolighus [Denmark's first concept department store] 1 year after Wiinblad became the first artist to exhibit there.
The form of this piece is the bust of Titania, Queen of Fairies from the Midsummer Night's Dream series. Highly romantic, Wiinblad applied his exceptional creativity and imagination to tactile details beyond facial anatomy. Individual rosettes and leaves are elegantly placed to bring to life Titania's high floral crown with an exquisitely curved tapering that creates a leaf shape of its own for the rim of the vase.
Handpainted onto the form is the illustrated design, seamlessly applied to the crown and the upper torso, creating the visual effect that blurs the separation between flora and foliage and Titania herself.
The combination of the statement size, palette, and excellent condition of this piece makes it a noteworthy find of Wiinblad's early work.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is negligible use wear, most evident in the form of movement marks on the underside of the vase and mild crazing to the handpainted glaze all over that are commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside bears Wiinblad's 'BW' monogram, the 'V21' model number and '63' denoting the year of production. The underside also bears the original Illums Bolighus label.
MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 14.8" / 37.7 cm (from base to rim) x width c. 6.5" / 16.5 cm (across widest point). Depth: c. 5.5" / 14 cm (shallowest). Base: c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.5 kg / 1,490 g
NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006) Born in 1918 in Copenhagen, Bjorn Wiinblad began his training and path to success in 1935. Wiinblad sought the path to his first passion of art and enrolled in graphic school at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, debuting in 1945 with an extensive exhibition in Palægade, Copenhagen. He met and became firm friends with Jacob E. Bang around this time, who engaged him to work for Nymølle Pottery.
From the beginnings at Nymolle, Wiinblad received multiple commissions, from designing textile and embroidery patterns to drawing posters, book, and magazine illustrations. Wiinblad drew for the United Nations in Paris and designed costumes and stages for several theatrical performances. His fame grew in Denmark but soon would extend to Norway and Sweden and in 1950 his ceramics were exhibited at Bonnier's in New York, which specialised in Scandinavian design.
Wiinblad's recognition and acclaim would continue to grow, bringing him a silver medal at the first international ceramics festival in 1955 in Cannes, France, and appointment as artistic director for Rosenthal in 1960. During the 1960s, Wiinblad would become the owner of a number of ceramic studios including Vaerksted, Nymolle, and Det Blaa Hus. He would make Det Blaa Hus his workshop and home until his death in 2006.
Wiinblad's successes did not stop in the Sixties, his continued achievements and international success were extensively documented and celebrated: https://www.rosendahl.com/en/intl/bjoern-wiinblad/stories/about-bjorn-wiinblad