THE ITEM
This graceful and elegant work of Swedish mid-century Modernist design is by celebrated Swedish artist and designer Wilhelm Kåge (b.1889 - d.1960) and German-Swedish artist and painter Heinz Erret (b.1920 - d.2003). This piece presents a rare variation in decor, designed by Kåge and painted by Erret is from the popular series Argenta for porcelain company Gustavsberg.
The slim rectangular form is glazed with the well-known dappled Turquoise Teal semi-matte base glaze, giving an effect of raw Malachite. The stylised decor of applied silver, painted by Erret, depicts the main feature of a bear upholding a tree and accents of a single leaf on the reverse as well as an edging of silver around the rim of the vase. There is an exceptional and expert level of attention to detail in the silver decor that is evident in the leaves, roots, tree bark through to the bear's fur.
CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild use wear that is most evident in movement marks on the underside of the base and light oxidisation to the silver decor, both of which is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base of the vase bears Gustavsberg stamp denoting 'GUSTAVSBERG, ARGENTA', with the 'B' variation, indication that the silverwork was undertaken by Heinz Erret, and 'Made in Sweden'.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7" / 17.8 cm tall (from base to tallest point ) x Width: c. 2.8" / 7.2 cm (across widest point). Length: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 506 g
NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Wilhelm Kåge (b. 1889 - d. 1960) ceramist, designer and artist, born as Algot Wilhelm Nilsson who became one of the most well-known representatives of the 20th-century Swedish ceramic design. Kåge was initially asked to contribute designs towards Gustavsberg's entry into a crucial exhibition at Liljevalchs in StockholmAutumn of 1917. The success of Kåge's contribution would lead him to eventually design many unique works in stoneware as well as Argenta in 1930. He would become the artistic leader for Gustavsberg in the 1930s and 1940s and is often called the father of Swedish modernism. Though he never painted Argenta pieces, he painted many pieces during the 1940s and designed for many well-received series such as the Apollo, Blue Bouquet, Bungalow, Eldorado, Formosa, Bird Blue, Gray Stripes, Gold Star, Holland, Lily Blue, Practical, Pyro, Sapphire, Trellis and Tussilago. Kåge is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design.
Heinz Erret (b.1920 - d.2003) artist and painter, was born as Karl-Heinz Helmut Franz Erret, in Leipzig, Saxony Germany. Erret originally trained as a sculptor who became an artist after the war, he continued this work until he was invited by Kåge to join Gustavsberg in 1949. As one of 25 people who painted Argenta pieces, he became fascinated by the art of painting in silver and dedicated extensive time into developing this technique. He would be enrolled as a special student into Konstfack, Swedens arts, crafts and design university in 1950. Erret painted Argenta until the end of the 1970s and during his last 13 years in Gustavsberg (1972 - 85), he also devoted himself to his landscapes painted with silver decor. The paintings were Heinz's own design and c. 23,000 copies were produced by the time he left Gustavsberg in 1985.