This exquisitely illustrated pair of bisque relief art is by celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, textiles, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006) who designed them for Rosenthal in the 1960s.
Both pieces are from The Magic Flute series, 'Die Zauberflöte' which was inspired by Mozarts Opera of the same name. The two pieces depict The First Lady ('Die Erste Dame') and The Three Boys ('Die Drei Knaben').
Wiinblad's unmistakable style with its romantic, charming and fantastical characteristics is very much evident in these collectable pieces.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is negligible use wear in the form of movement marks on the underside of both dishes. The dishes are first quality, evidenced by the signing of the dishes in gold gilding on the underside. The inscription describes the series name, Roenthals logo, Wiinblads signature and the name of the piece.
MEASUREMENTS
Each dish: Length c. 4.3" / 11 cm (across longest point) x Width c. 2.2" / 5.5 cm. Height c. 0.8" / 2 cm. Unpackaged weight [pair]: c. 0.1 kg / 83 g
NOTES
Dishes will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Bjorn Wiinblad was born in 1918 in Copenhagen to Otto and Ebba Wiinblad and it would1935 until he began his training, he would go on to graduate five years later in 1940.
Once graduated, Wiinblad sought the path to his first passion of art and enrolled in graphic school at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. In1943, fellow student Lars Syberg would invite him to his ceramics workshop and Wiinblad would find his first creative outlet. In 1945, Wiinblad debuted with an extensive exhibition in Palægade in Copenhagen with a collection of ceramics, drawings and posters. Wiinblad would become firm friends Jacob E. Bang around this time, who engaged him to work for Nymølle.
From the beginnings at Nymolle, Wiinblad received multiple commissions, from designing textile and embroidery patterns for the Håndværkdets Fremme to drawing posters, book and magazine illustrations. Wiinblad drew for the United Nations in Paris as well as costume and stage design for several theatrical performances. His fame grew at home in Denmark but soon it 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. Wiinblad's successes, however, would not stop there, his continued achievements have been extensively documented and celebrated on the dedicated website: https://www.bjornwiinblad-denmark.dk/om-bjoern-wiinblad