THE ITEM
This stunning pair of Postmodern design is by Wolf Karnagel, celebrated visionary German artist and designer for Toro Ceramica of Valencia.
The form of these vases are organically reminiscent, like that of a Manta Ray with its wing outspread and yet industrially stylised. The glaze is a matte Slate blue-grey which has been edged in the glossy Electric yellow. The interior is glazed with a sharply contrasting, glossy Indigo blue. The tactile form and variations between glossy and matte glaze invites touch, embodying the 'haptically attractive' characteristic of Karnagels designs. This design, particularly in this size, are a rare find.
CONDITION
Excellent. No cracks or repairs. There is minimal use wear, predominantly movement marks on the underside of the vase bases. There is a single, negligible chip on the top corner of one vase measuring c. 0.2 mm x 0.1 mm. The vases bear Karnagel's signature on the base and 'DESIGN, WOLF KARNAGEL', the underside of the bases bear Toro's 'TORO CERAMICA, VALENCIA, EUROPA' stamp.
MEASUREMENTS
c. " / 25 cm tall (from base to rim) x " / 16.5 cm rim diameter. Base diameter: c. " / 7.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: 1.5 kg / 1,453 g
NOTES
Vases will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Karnagel studied form design with Bodo Kampmann in the 1960s, during which he also began his career with KPM in 1967. After two years, he moved to Rosenthal where he developed his reputation as a visionary. His designs for Rosenthal were continually success, winning him 10 industrial design awards for series such as 'Plus', 'Joy', 'Big Ben'. His reputation grew to an international scale as many big names commissioned his to design for them, brands in his repertoire include Hutschenreuther, Ionia, Lufthansa, Theresienthal, Toro and Villeroy & Boch,
Karnagel's style is known to be 'haptically attractive', tactile forms which invite touch and at the same time, practical in use and durable. He sought ways to connect and interlock natural forms and believed in the timelessness of style in shape.