This exquisitely illustrated work of art porcelain 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.
The illustrated design is from the Samuramat or Sammuramat series, inspired by the tales of the powerful queen of the Babylonian Empire c. 850 BC. The form is sleek, elegant, and simplistic, which is often referred to as a pillow vase that is an excellent canvas' to showcase the incredible detail of the Goldfire glaze. Applied to this is the iridescent glaze to Wiinblad's illustrated design. Wiinblad's unmistakable style with its romantic, charming, and fantastical characteristics is very much evident in these collectible pieces.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is negligible use wear, most evident in the form of movement marks on the underside of both vases. The undersides bear Rosenthal's Studio Line stamp with logo, model number and Wiinblad's printed signature. Wiinblad's signature underscores the front-facing illustration.
MEASUREMENTS
- Pillow Vase - Height c. 8.5" / 21.6 cm (from base to rim) x length c. 8.5" / 21.6 cm (across longest point). Depth: c. 3" / 7.7 cm. Base: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm x c. 2.4" / 6cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.9 kg / 910 g
A BIT OF HISTORY
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 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 owner to 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 on the dedicated website: https://www.bjornwiinblad-denmark.dk/om-bjoern-wiinblad