THE ITEM
Germany has Fat Lava, France has Foam Lava, well - Iceland has Lava, real lava (that can be sharp to touch!) incorporated into their glaze.
The skill in creating this glaze is evident at every level. There are varying shades of glossy Espresso and Mocha browns, a Glacial blue at the core of the bowl and traces of white and Golden yellow in the drip glaze. The glaze flows within the interior of the bowl and between the shards of lava which trims the bowl.
It's easy to see why these pieces are sought after and how the skill in creating these pieces is being celebrated. The poetic colour palette of these works reflects the original inspiration that sparked its creation - the Icelandic tundra which the mineral, clay and lava was taken from.
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs - please see photographs as part of the condition report. The underside of the vase bears the Glit's inscription 'Glit, Iceland, LAVA'.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm high by c. 8.9" / 22.5 cm diameter (across the widest point.) Unpackaged weight: c. 1.1 kg / 1,026 gNOTES
Bowl will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Glit Reykjavik Pottery was the only ceramic factory in Iceland when it was founded by Ragnar Kjartansson, sculptor and ceramic artist (b.1923 - d.1989) in 1958. Kjartansson founded Glit together with Einar Eliasson, Pétur Saemundsen. Kjartansson was a member of the Icelandic Sculptors Society, which he established in the Icelandic capital in 1972.
Glit was adamantly devoted to utilising Icelandic clay and ground minerals in production during its first decade of operation—especially hardened lava. In many ways, the studio, was well ahead of its time — making deep impressions in the history of Icelandic ceramic art.
Many of the country’s best-known 20th-century artists worked at Glit at one point or another, the place became known as an artistic breeding ground, especially during the time when Ragnar was in charge of the manufacturing workshop at Othinsgata. Technological advances and the desire to increase production led Glit to shift gears, moving them from Iceland’s history of art and design and into its industrial history.