At last I have found myself a Bitossi Bull! In the ‘Rimini’ decor but in a mustard yellow colour, rather than the usual ‘Rimini Blu’. Designed by Aldo Londi in the mid 1960’s, the form is highly stylised and really gives an impression of strength and power. A classic mid century sculptural piece of Italian pottery.
And will be part of my collection for me to enjoy until I find a few more!
This is a Stunning ‘Agina’ (Aegina) decor vase, designed by Hans Welling for Ceramano, West Germany circa 1961.
Ceramano was founded in 1959 as an off shoot of Jasba Ceramics, to produce experimental art ceramics in the ‘studio pottery’ style. Hans Welling was their key designer and this piece is characteristic of his style.
Using wax resist and sgraffito geometric motifs and stylised birds surround the body. Combined with the classical shape they evoke ancient Greek styles based on the mythology of ‘Aegina’.
The form is Stunning with the bulbous base and long conical neck with a flared rim, similar to a lagynos / oil flask.
Further enhanced by a subtle ‘Fat Lava’ glaze in creamy brown, bubbling in places and streaked in others, showing through the base brown glaze as with the motifs.
Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of West German, Fat Lava, European or Studio Pottery and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, minimalist, 1950’s, 1960’s, or contemporary styled interior.
In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.
Measures 21 x 13 x 13cm / 8.5 x 5.25 x 5.25in.
Handmarked to the base ‘121 W.Germany Ceramano handarb. Agina’, with the decorators initials.
Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1yzEofg
This is a Beautiful decorative plate / wall plate with bird / dove motif by Robert Picault, Vallauris, France circa 1950’s / 60’s.
Vallauris is a pottery region in south-eastern France, Picasso lived here from 1948 – 55 and greatly contributed to the renaissance of the pottery industry, this legendary golden age when everyone was a potter, including famous ceramicists Roger Capron and Charles Voltz. Their influence is clearly seen in the abstracted painterly decors.
Picault had worked with Capron and was a friend of Picasso’s. His handpainted style used Mediterranean colours, turquoise blue, green and brown with repeated geometric abstract motifs, and sometimes birds as seen on this plate.
Very stylised possible a Dove, the bird is simply rendered in turquoise green and black thick brushstrokes, very similar to Picasso’s work for the Madoura pottery.
Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of Vallauris / French / European / Studio pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, 50’s, 60’s, Mediterranean, French or contemporary styled interior.
In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches. Some crazing commensurate with age, and a tiny firing dot in the glaze (pictured).
Measures 23 x 23 x 2.5cm / 9 x 9 x 1in.
Handpainted mark to the base ‘RP. La Roue Vallauris’. La Roue / The Wheel was a pottery workshop in the town.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/178810189/vallauris-robert-picault-plate-wall?
This is one of 3 pieces from this range for sale over at my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/afterglowretro
This is a Fantastic butter dish by Rosenthal Studio Line, part of the ‘Flash’ range designed by Dorothy Hafner circa 1984.
A Great 1980’s Postmodern / Memphis style design by Dorothy Hafner, one of the most well respected proponents of the avant-garde in the ceramic design business. Her works excelling in a synthesis of shape and pattern.
The butter dish has a lovely angular shape, with a small handle on the top to lift the cover. The rectangular dish has an inner lip for the top to fit snugly on. Perfectly practical as a butter or even cheese serving dish, also beautiful as a decorative piece. The decor is very reminiscent of the era, very colourful, abstract and cartoon like.
The butter dish would make a Fabulous addition to any Rosenthal ‘Flash’ collection, and would bring a great design edge and splash of colour to any retro, vintage, 80’s, Postmodern or contemporary interior!
In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.
Measuring 19 x 14 x 7cm / 7.5 x 5.5 x 2.75in.
Marked to the base ‘Rosenthal Studio – line Germany Flash Form Design Dorothy Hafner’.
This is a Stunning Czech cased, cut glass vase, designed by Oldrich Lipsky for Exbor, Czechoslovakia circa 1964.
A Striking Modernist design from Exbor, who produced cutting edge, modern avant garde designs during this period. A striking example of the renaissance in Czech glass design in the 1960′s. From behind the Iron Curtain, re-establishing the country’s skilled designers reputation for producing unique art glass masterpieces.
The vase with its cased thick / chunky glass in yellow and red, is cut with wavy undulating optical effects on the corner edges. Giving wonderful complex forms and catching the light beautifully and differently from every angle. Very unusual and a clear break from traditional forms, evoking the forward thinking Space Age era.
A Great addition to any collection of Sklo /Czech or Art Glass. Would complement any retro, vintage, 60’s, 70’s, space age, modernist, mid century, minimalist or contemporary interior.
In Excellent Condition, no chips or scratches, a few very tiny fleabites on the top, mentioned for accuracy, nothing to detract. Stunning overall on display.
Marked to the base with the Exbor acid stamp, can be faintly seen in the base photo.
Measures 21.5 x 8 x 8cm / 8.5 x 3.25 x 3.25in.
Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/TjQdFA
As the year end approaches, thought I would share my favourite find of the year. This striking Brutalist style boy / girl double sided pottery figure.
Its sitting in my collection at the moment, on display of course, awaiting more info.
Unmarked and measuring 23 x 19 x 7cm / 9 x 7.5 x 2.75in, and weighing a hefty 2kg for its size! Wonderfully crafted with its clever geometric inlaid construction, glazed and unglazed components, and featuring a different stylised figure on each side.
Most likely a studio piece, possibly Danish and in the style of modernist designers such as Paul Evans, its a mystery that hopefully will be solved in 2014!
Just acquired this very large, 48cm tall, floor vase by Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s. More info to come soon!
This is a Beautiful vase / jug made by the S. Volpi pottery studio, Italy circa mid 1950’s.
A Great rare piece from the studio pottery of Serafino Volpi, set up after he left his company Maiolica Derutese Volpi, to persue non traditional adventurous forms and decors.
Stunning form, so reminiscent of the era with its bulbous body and curved slanting rim / spout, balanced by a large squared decorative handle.
The decor is Superb, on a glossy white base are raised random white squiggles and sgraffito lines. Colourful handpainted stylised motifs adorn the whole body, a pair of snakes, starbursts, bright blocks of solid colour and pink dots. The handle contrast nicely in pink with gold dots and gilt edges, which carries around the rim of the spout.
Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of Italian / Studio / European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1950’s, mid century, kitsch or contemporary interior.
Hand marked to the base ‘S. Volpi Deruta 2709’.
In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.
Measures 22 x 17 x 14cm / 8.75 x 6.75 x 5.5in.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/172662071/vintage-serafino-volpi-deruta-italian?
This is a Lovely Large Scheurich Keramik handled vase, West Germany circa early 1960’s.
A Stunning form and decor on this vase by Heinz Siery, the main designer from the mid 1950’s. With its conical bulbous base, large chimney like neck and right angled handle it has beautiful proportions, possibly based on classical styles and adapted for the mid century era.
The glazes are fantastic, a foamy base in a light yellow / green, pumice like and very similar to ‘Fat Lava’ glazes. Embellished with abstract geometric ‘Cubist’ style motifs in a black glaze. Some using the ‘sgraffito’ technique to make incisions in the surface, these are filled with vibrant orange and blue pools of glaze. The interior is glazed in a bright glossy yellow.
Very reminiscent of the mid century modernist era, similar to designs by Marcello Fantoni in Italy at the time. Possibly referencing the same Etruscan classical styles, interpreted for the modern age.
Would be Great as part of a collection of West German / Fat Lava / European Art Pottery, and would make a fantastic addition to any retro, vintage, 50’s, 60’s, mid century, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.
Moulded mark to the base 285 40.
In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.
Measures 40 x 18 x 18cm / 16 x 7 x 7in.
This is a Fantastic ‘Spagnolo’ planter / flower pot / vase, by Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s.
A Lovely simple small form, the cylindrical body having a flared thick rim. Perfect for use as a small planter, as a vase, as a storage pot, for use in the kitchen or on a desk, or to group with other Bitossi ‘Spagnolo’ or the similar classic ‘Rimini Blu’ pieces.
Lovely textured surface with shallow trenches made by the rough clay being hand turned on the wheel.
A Fabulous design by Aldo Londi from 1963, in the striking iconic ‘Spagnolo’ (Spanish) decor. With its central band of impressed motifs resembling Moorish tiles, it is influenced by the new trends in art and design in the mid century period. Beautiful glossy layered blue and turquoise glazes evoke the colours of the Mediterranean Sea.
A Wonderful practical and stylish piece from one of the greatest designers and ceramicists of the 20th century.
Would look great in any 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, retro, vintage, mid century modern, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior. A Great addition to any collection of Bitossi / Italian / European art pottery or 20th century design.
In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.
Measures 10.5 x 12.5 x 12.5cm / 4.25 x 5 x 5in.
Unmarked to the base.
afterglow retro 