Ceramics

Vallauris ‘Fat Lava’ studio pottery vase, France circa 1960’s

May 19, 2013Ceramics1960's, abstract, afterglow retro, brighton, ceramics, fat lava, france, french pottery, mediterranean, mid century, picasso, retro, studio pottery, vallauris, Vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning Vallauris Studio pottery vase, France circa 1960’s.

Characteristic of Studio pieces of the era from this region, with the classical double handled form, and the very crusty volcanic glaze in turquoise over a white base. Highlighted with flamelike drip glossy glazes in red and orange.

Very similar to ‘Fat Lava’ decors from Germany, very Striking and Vibrant with its coral like appearance and contrasting glossy ‘flame’. A Real Statement piece of European Art Pottery.

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. His influence is clearly seen in the abstracted forms of pieces such as this vase.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of European studio pottery, and would complement Vallauris or Fat Lava pieces. A perfect vase for any retro, vintage, 1950’s, 1960’s, kitsch, mid century modern, modernist or contemporary interior.

In Great Condition, a few of the bubbles may be ‘burst’ due to the extreme crusty glaze, pictured are one on the rim and base. They do not detract from the overall ‘Fat Lava’ look. The glossy glazes are crazing free, no chips or cracks!

Measures 27 x 15 x 15cm / 10.5 x 6 x 6in.

Picasso style Mediterranean Sun wall plaque by La Musa, Italy circa 1960’s

May 3, 2013Ceramics1960's, desimone, face, italian pottery, italy, la musa, mediterranean, mid century, palermo, picasso, plaque, plate, retro, sicily, sun, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful Colourful Italian wall plaque / plate by La Musa, Italy circa 1960’s.

A Fantastic bright design, with a highly stylised image of the Mediterranean sun. Its broad brush strokes, flat panes of colour, bold outlines and Cubist style are very similar to the paintings of Picasso and Matisse.

La Musa, Palermo, Sicily founded in 1949 along with the renowned Desimone pottery produced fabulous pieces bearing this hallmark style, so reminiscent of the region and the mid century era.

A Wonderful plaque for wall hanging, or for use as a bright addition to any table centrepiece. A Great addition to any collection of Italian, Mediterranean or European studio pottery. Would add a splash of colour to any retro, vintage, mid century, 60’s or contemporary interior.

In Great Condition, two chips to the glaze on the rim, do not detract on display.

Measures 25 x 25 x 3cm / 10 x 10 x 1.25in.

Printed marks to the back are mostly worn off, there is a hole for wall hanging in the rim.

Dutch ‘Fat Lava’ Vase / Candleholder by Vest Keramiek circa 1970’s

April 25, 2013Ceramics70's, avant garde, brutalist, candleholder, dutch pottery, fat lava, marius woerden, modernist, netherlands, retro, studio pottery, ufo, Vase, vest keramiek, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Wonderful miniature ‘Fat Lava’ style vase / ornament / paperweight / candleholder.

These pieces were handmade by Marius van Woerden, at his Vest Keramiek studio pottery in Gouda, Netherlands circa early 1970’s.

A Very unusual form, the disc like body has a round opening at the top which has a similar sized footing below, and two smaller circular feet, very abstract and brutalist in appearance. Much like a miniature UFO. Could be used in various ways or just admired as a lovely piece of Avant Garde studio pottery.

The characteristic glaze is very similar to ‘Fat Lava’ West German pottery, the crusty pumice like glazes in various earthy tones are very organic and unusual.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Dutch / European / Studio / Fat Lava pottery, and would complement any mid century, retro, vintage, minimalist, brutalist, modernist, rustic or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Stamped R1 to the base.

Measures 4.5 x 9 x 9cm / 1.75 x 3.5 x 3.5in.

Jean de Lespinasse Ceramic Handled Vase, Nice, France circa 1960’s

April 14, 2013Ceramicsbrighton, capron, european pottery, flowers, france, french ceramic, french pottery, Jean de Lespinasse, lady, madoura, mid century, nice, orange, picasso, pop art, retro, studio pottery, vallauris, Vase, vintageafterglowretro One comment

This is a Beautiful and Rare French ceramic handled vase by Jean de Lespinasse, Nice, France circa late 1950’s / early 1960’s.

Jean de Lespinasse was a French ceramicist who worked from a studio in Nice on the French Riviera. His work was sold in Paris, Vallauris and abroad, his contemporaries included Roger Capron, Madoura with Picasso and Robert Picault.

A Wonderful form, very chunky and heavy, with its pinched waist and flared rim complemented by the thick elegantly curved handle.

In a bright glossy orange glaze, contrasted by the black interior, decorated with a beautiful stylised image of a lady surrounded by flowers, very reminiscent in style of the 50’s / 60’s era.

Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of French Studio Art pottery, European / Vallauris ceramics, and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, 50’s, 60’s, pop art, minimal or contemporary styled interior.

In Great Condition, a couple of small missing glaze chips on the rim, pictured, nothing to detract from the overall stunning look.

Measures 25 x 20 x 16cm / 10 x 8 x 6.25in. Hand signed to the base JDL 402.

This is a substantial chunky vase weighing almost 2kg, overseas bidders please enquire for a courier postage cost, reductions available on combined shipping.

Smalto roccia & sgraffito wall plaque, Ceramiche Giulianelli, San Marino, Italy circa 1960’s

April 14, 2013Ceramics60's, alla moda, ceramiche giulianelli, collectable, fat lava, italian ceramics, italian pottery, italy, mid century, retro, san marino, sgraffito, smalto roccia, vintage, wall plaqueafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Lovely decorative wall plaque made by Ceramiche Giulianelli, San Marino, Italy circa 1960’s.

A Fantastic design, the white ceramic slip moulded plaque is decorated with a smalto roccia (rock glaze) very similar to a Fat Lava glaze, this represents the cliffs and mountains of San Marino. This is embellished with an incised sgraffito pattern of Mediterranean buildings, colourfully hand painted with enamelled glossy glazes.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Italian ceramics, Fat Lava or European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, kitsch, 1960’s, Mediterranean or contemporary interior.

In Great Condition, a little crazing commensurate with age, the slip mould is rough and unrefined as this is how they were made, no chips or cracks.

Marked to the base Ceramica Giulianelli Rep. S. Marino.

Measures 25 x 8.5 x 2.4cm / 10 x 3.5 x 1in.

Bitossi Ceramic ‘Rimini Blu’ vase, designed by Aldo Londi, Italy circa 1960’s

March 24, 2013CeramicsAldo Londi, art, baluster vase, Bitossi, design, italian pottery, mediterranean pottery, mid century modern, retro style, rimini blu, urn, vintage decorafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful Bitossi Ceramic ‘Rimini Blu’ vase, Italy circa early 1960’s.

A Great Unusual design, the baluster / urn shape, with a bulbous body and squared flared rim, is inspired by ancient Mediterranean pottery. Made of clay with crushed granules to give a rough texture, the texture and glazes indicate this is an earlier example.

A Fabulous piece designed by Aldo Londi, in the iconic ‘Rimini Blu’ glaze with blue and turquoise glazes resembling the Mediterranean Sea. With its alternating bands of impressed motifs resembling Arabesque or Runic patterns, it is influenced by the new trends in art and design in the mid century period.

A Wonderful vase from one of the greatest designers and ceramicists of the 20th century that
would make a Fantastic practical vase or display piece, and would look great in any 50’s, 60’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 Great Condition, a chip to the glaze on the rim and a few very small flakes of missing glaze on the impressed motifs, common with the textured form and glaze on these pieces. Nothing to detract.

Not marked to the base, as is common with these pieces. Many just had the exporters / retailers paper labels.

Measures 20 x 14 x 14cm / 8 x 5.5 x 5.5in.

Italian Sgraffito pottery vase / jug with deer motif, made by Fratelli Fanciullacci circa 1960’s

March 17, 2013Ceramicsalla moda, antique, art, brighton, collectible, deer, italian pottery, italian retro, jug, mid century modern, orange grey, pottery vase, retro design, sgraffito potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful pottery jug / handled vase, made by Fratelli Fanciullacci, Italy circa late 1950’s / 60’s.

A Stunning form and decor, the tapered body has a great angled rim and angular handle, very reminiscent of the era.
The glossy white spray-glaze has a mottled texture, and has been decorated using the sgraffito technique with motifs of deer and leaves, with bright bands of glossy orange glaze.

This form and decor can be seen on p.113 / 115 of Mark Hill’s ‘Alla Moda’ Italian Ceramics book.

Would make a great addition to any collection of Italian, European or Mid Century pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1950’s, 60’s, mid century, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Hand painted mark to the base 7437 Italy.

Measures 19.5 x 12 x 9.5cm / 7.75 x 4.75 x 3.75in.

Yellow bottle vase / jug no.4300 by Marei Keramik, West Germany, circa late 1960’s.

March 11, 2013Ceramics1960's, antique, art, brighton, collectable, european pottery, fat lava, keramik, marei, marei 4300, photography, pop art, retro style, Roth Keramik, spring home decor, studio pottery, west german pottery, yellowafterglowretro One comment

This is a Lovely bright yellow bottle vase / jug by Marei Keramik, West Germany, circa late 1960’s.

A Fantastic form no. 4300 with its handled squat shape like a schnapps bottle, but also prefect as a jug or decorative handled / bottle vase or even as a candleholder.

A Great Collectable decor, the black base glaze covered with a vibrant Yellow glaze, lightly speckled with orange, the black glaze showing through in random spot patterns.

Until recently these pieces were attributed to Roth Keramik, as they share the same red clay colour, and similar designs and forms.

Perfect as an addition to any collection of Fat Lava / West German pottery, and would be a perfect piece to brighten up any retro, vintage, 60’s, 70’s, pop art, space age or contemporary styled interior.

The base is unmarked other than a white printed ‘Foreign’ stamp.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 16 x 12 x 12cm / 6.25 x 4.75 x 4.75in.

Miniature Italian pottery jug / vase, with Giraffe and Cockerel, made in Deruta, Italy circa 1960’s.

March 5, 2013Ceramics1950's, alla moda, antique, brighton, cockerel, collectable, deruta, design, giraffe, italian ceramics, italian pottery, italy, jug, mid century, mid century modern, retro, tube lined, Vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful miniature Italian pottery jug / vase / collectable, made in Deruta, Italy circa 1960’s.

A Wonderful cute and unusual example of Italian Mid Century ceramics, this tiny decorative jug has a lovely exaggerated form, the stone colored body has a pale blue handle. It is ornately / kitschly decorated with images of a flower, leaf, cockerel and a giraffe! With a final zig zagged icing of a white tube lined glaze!

Deruta is a town in the Umbria region of Italy, with many small studio potteries that produced pieces in this style, characterised by reddish clay, matte glazes, stylised drawings and white tube lined detailing.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Italian / European / Mid Century pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 50’s / 60’s, kitsch, shabby chic interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches. Handpainted / marked to the base ITALY 3509 .

Measures 9 x 7 x 7cm / 3.5 x 2.75 x 2.75in.

Set of 4 handled bowls by Robert Picault, Vallauris, France circa 1950’s / 60’s

February 20, 2013Ceramicsabstract, antique, art, bowls, capron, ceramics, design, france, home decor, mediterranean, mid century, picasso, picault, retro, studio pottery, vallauris, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

These are a Beautiful Set of 4 handled bowls 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 forms of pieces such as these handled bowls.

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. Each of these bowls has a different pattern, but are all united in the glazes used and motifs carried across each piece.

The handles of the largest 3 pieces have holes to allow for hanging, so could make a great wall or dresser display.

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.

Measuring: Largest 20 x 13 x 5cm / 8 x 5 x 2in.

2 x Middle size 17 x 10.5 x 4.5cm / 6.75 x 4.25 x 1.75in.

Smallest 11 x 7 x 2.5cm / 4.5 x 2.75 x 1in.