THE ITEM
This elegantly charming work is by internationally celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, textiles, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - 2006).
The simple cylinder form of this piece is an understated canvas for the central scene painted in muted pewter gray, silver and gold relief.
Characteristic to Wiinblad's pieces which portray a scene, there is a story being told. The illustrated scene is focused on a simply dressed girl wearing a crown of flowers in her hair. The girl sits in and amongst trailing flowers and verdure as she listens in tranquil and curious repose to the animated and fantastical bird that is resting on the forefinger of one hand. We don't know the tale that is taking place but the hints are there to tell us that it's magical and fairytale-like.
CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips, cracks or crazing - please refer to photos as part of condition report. The underside of the base is marked with Rosenthal's 'Rosenthal studio-linie, GERMANY' and Wiinblad's signature.
MEASUREMENTS
c. 9" / 23 cm tall (from base to rim) x 4.3" / 10.8 cm rim / base diameter
Unpackaged weight: c. 0.8 kg / 775 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 was born in 1918 in Copenhagen to Otto and Ebba Wiinblad and even during his childhood, Wiinblad was known to draw, paint and write short stories. Despite his obvious talent and desire to become an artist, Wiinblad's father, Otto would encourage him to train as a typographer, a job which during that time could be depended upon to provide a fixed salary. Wiinblad began this training in 1935 and would graduate five years later in 1940.
Once graduated, Wiinblad would seek out the path to his first passion of art and enrolled in graphic school at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. It would be 1943 before 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. Through his exhibition, Wiinblad would meet Jacob E Bang, who at the time, had just become artistic director of the small faience factory Nymølle. Wiinblad would become firm friends Jacob E. Bang who would go on to engage him to work for Nymølle.
From the beginnings at Nymolle, Wiinblad would receive 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