Ceramics

Oyster platter by Gabriel Fourmaintraux, France circa 1960’s

April 5, 2014Ceramics1960's, fernand leger, Fourmaintraux, french pottery, gabriel, gf fait main, mid century ceramics, oyster platter, picasso, plate, retro kitchen, retro pottery, studio pottery, vallauris, vintage decorafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning Vintage Oyster plate / platter made by Gabriel Fourmaintraux, near Vallauris, France circa 1960’s.

A Wonderful piece of French art pottery Majolica / Faience ware, by this renowned potter, who collaborated with the artist Fernand Leger influencing his style as Picasso did for many other Vallauris potters.

With its lovely contoured form, gently rippled, with 6 wells for oysters or shellfish, and another for lemon, wonderfully stylised, having an underwater, rockpool appearance. Stunning glazes, the glossy black base has foamy aqua trails in blue and green, contrasting with the vibrant shocking orange wells, highlighted with foamy gold and the lemon rim in yellow!

A real statement piece of mid century French art pottery, very reminiscent of the era, and perfect to brighten up any dinner party table or retro kitchen.

Hand signed to the base GF ‘fait main’ (hand made).

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 26 x 24 x 3cm / 10.25 x 9.5 x 1.5in.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/184972664/vintage-oyster-plate-platter-gabriel?

Mid Century Italian Pottery ‘Donkey and Cart’ cactus planter circa 1960’s

March 19, 2014Ceramics1960's, 20th century, Bitossi, brighton, cactus planter, collectables, donkey and cart, european pottery, fantoni, fat lava, gambone, horse and cart, italian pottery, italian pottery donkey, mid century modern, retro, Vase, vintage, walter bosseafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Fantastic pottery donkey / horse and cart planter / vase, made in Italy circa 1950’s / 60’s

A Lovely stylised mid century design, very reminiscent of Walter Bosse’s animal figures. The cartoon like donkey with a coiled mane and tail pulling a cart that can be used as a planter.

Stunning glazes similar to those used by Fratelli Fanciullacci, this piece is attributed to one of the Montelupo potteries (Bitossi region). Over a khaki green glossy base is a textured spray glaze in an off white. Highlighted by the red coiled mane and tail, and patterned motifs on the cart picked out in yellow.

Perfect for use as a planter for a cactus or small plant, as a small posy vase, or as a novelty table decoration for holding breadsticks, sweets etc.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Italian / European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1950’s, 1960’s, mid century or kitsch styled interior.

Marked to the base ‘Made in Italy’.

In Excellent Condition, no chips, cracks or crazing, a couple of small unglazed patches from production, nothing to detract.

Measures 20 x 12 x 9cm / 8 x 4.75 x 3.5in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1yzDTBO

Pair of Schlossberg Keramik ‘Kuba’ vases, West Germany circa 1958

March 2, 2014Ceramics1950's, brighton, cubist, etsy, fat lava, kuba, Liesel Spornhauer, mid century pottery, modernist, mondrian, retro, schlossberg, schlossberg kuba, vintage, west german ceramics, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

These are a Stunning Pair of Schlossberg Keramik ‘Kuba’ vases, designed by Liesel Spornhauer, West Germany circa 1958.

A Fantastic decor, very reminiscent of the era and inspired by Cubist / Mondrian art and design. With the matte black glazed background having a hand decorated tube lined glaze in glossy white forming a random abstract grid like pattern. Some of the spaces are then filled with glossy vibrant red, yellow and blue glazes.

Wonderful forms, the larger vase has a bulbous top heavy shape with a slanted rim, the smaller vase has a tapered form and ‘fishmouth’ curved rim.

Modern art meets ceramics, in this delightful pair by this renowned smaller high quality West German pottery. A Highly collectable mid century art pottery decor.

Would make an Excellent addition to any collection of West German / European / Schlossberg ceramics. And would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, 1950’s, 1960’s, minimal or contemporary interior.

Both in Excellent Condition, no chips, cracks or crazing, the matte black paint shows some light marks as is common with this design, nothing to detract on display.

The large vase measures 21 x 11 x 11cm / 8.25 x 4.25 x 4.25in.

The smaller vase measures 19 x 9.5 x 8cm / 7.5 x 3.75 x 3.25in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1rm0dtP

‘Rimini’ yellow bull by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa mid 1960’s

February 27, 2014Ceramics1960's, afterglow, Aldo Londi, bitossi bull, bitossi ceramiche, bitossi collection, bitossi pottery, brighton, etsy, italian pottery, italy, mid century pottery, retro, rimini blu, sculptural pottery, stylised bull, yellowafterglowretro One comment

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!

‘Agina’ vase by Hans Welling for Ceramano, West Germany circa 1960’s

February 21, 2014Ceramics1960's, aegina, agina, agina vase, brighton etsy, brighton fat lava, brighton retro, ceramano, ceramano vase, etsy uk, fat lava, greek mythology, hans welling, mid century modern, mid century pottery, modernist vase, west german ceramics, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

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

Robert Picault bird plate, Vallauris, France circa 1950’s / 60’s

February 12, 2014Ceramics1950's, 1960's, afterglow retro, bird plate, brighton retro, brighton vintage, btnetsy, capron, dove plate, etsy uk, french decor, french studio pottery, madoura pottery, mid century modern, picasso, picasso pottery, picault, retro pottery, robert picaultafterglowretro Leave a comment

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?

‘Flash’ Butter Dish by Dorothy Hafner, Rosenthal Studio Line, Germany circa 1984.

January 22, 2014Ceramics, Collectables1980's, 1980's pottery, afterglow retro, brighton, butter dish, dorothy hafner, flash butter dish, kitchenalia, memphis era, postmodern ceramics, retro design, rosenthal butter dish, rosenthal flash, rosenthal studio line, vintage style, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

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’.

Brutalist boy / girl studio pottery figure

December 24, 2013Ceramics1970's, afterglow retro, boy girl, brighton, brutalist, brutalist figure, modernist, modernist pottery, paul evans, retro, sculpture, studio pottery figure, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

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!

Large Bitossi floor vase, Italy circa 1960’s

December 22, 2013Ceramics1960's, afterglow retro, Aldo Londi, alla moda, Bitossi, bitossi ceramiche, bitossi vase, brighton retro, italian pottery, mid century modern, mid century pottery, retro pottery, vintage home decorafterglowretro Leave a comment

Just acquired this very large, 48cm tall, floor vase by Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy circa 1960’s. More info to come soon!

Italian pottery jug / vase by S. Volpi studio circa mid 1950’s

December 12, 2013Ceramics1950's, 1950's vase, afterglow retro, atomic era, brighton retro, brighton vintage, italian pottery, italian studio pottery, Maiolica Derutese, mid century, mid century ceramics, mid century pottery, retro vase, s volpi, serafino volpi, snakes, Starburst, studio pottery, volpi derutaafterglowretro Leave a comment

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?