Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville
This exquisitely sleek and statement work of mid-century Modern Italian art ceramic is by Italian pottery Bertoncello Ceramiche D'Arte (est. c. 1956 - c. 1999). The quiet yet firmly dramatic form displays influences of Modernist design as well as design qualities reminiscent of Art Deco Bauhaus geometricism. The overall shape is likened to that of an abstracted sea urchin with cleanly arched ridges offering clear delineation for each of the eight segments.
The arcs, curves, and ridges provide an excellent canvas for the rich and sumptuous glaze that is silky to touch and not too overtly glossy. Visually, it presents as a refined blending of rich, Golden Ochre that is feathered with deep sienna, giving additional depth. Take a step back to view this piece as a whole and the effect resembles leather or marbled stone.
Like many other Italian potteries that were popular during the mid-century period, little is known about the pottery but the exceptional quality and timelessness of the design undeniably speak for themselves.
The statement size, form, and overall quality of the condition make this work a particularly good find.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is one chip to the glaze on the underside of the vase that does not affect the visual display of the piece and is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the piece is denoted with the model number '109'.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 6.3" / 16 cm x c. 12" / 30.5 cm width (across the widest point). Rim measurements: c. 4.7" / 12 cm. Base measurements: c. 5.3" / 13.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,640 g
A BIT OF OF HISTORY
Bertoncello Ceramiche D'Arte was founded in Schiavon, Italy around 1956 and was first known as LBP, an acronym created with the first letters of the founders' surnames Mr. Lini, Giovanni Bertoncello, and Mr. Pizzato.
For many years it was run solely by Giovanni Bertoncello (b. 1930 - d. 2011) and his brother Felice after Mr. Lini left the company a few years after the pottery's founding. By the 1970s the pottery had grown to a staff of around 30 with Giovanni being the creative driving force behind the forms and glazes. In the early years Giovanni benefited from some support from a Venetian teacher, Mr. Boatto. Sadly not a lot is known about the company as all its catalogues and archives were destroyed when the company closed in 1999, however, the legacy of Bertoncello's design is undeniable in the history of Italian mid-century art ceramics.
Bertoncello's signature designs are often very sculptural, with echoes of geometricism and modern architecture. Dramatic curves, rounded edges and corners, pierced forms and an organic feel are recurring features.