1970’s

Bernard Rooke handbuilt stoneware studio pottery vase, 1960’s / 70’s, England

May 28, 2015Ceramics1960's, 1960s pottery, 1970's, bernard rooke, Bernard Rooke vase, brighton etsy, brighton vintage, brutalist, english, English studio pottery, etsy, handbuilt, mid century, modernist, retro home decor, stoneware, studio pottery, vintage decor, vintage etsyafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a stunning stoneware studio pottery vase, by Bernard Rooke, England circa 1960’s / 70’s.

A wonderful handbuilt sculptural stoneware vase from this renowned potter. Either from his early pottery in London where he worked with Alan Wallwork or late 1960’s / early 1970’s when he was based in Swilland, Suffolk. A graduate of Goldsmiths College, he was also a lecturer there and at London University. His work was sculptural and handbuilt using coils and blocks, with organic natural earth tones and impressed, relief and carved abstract motifs.

This bulbous vase has a chunky cylindrical central section, with a small neck and a circular opening, which shows the hand made nature of construction with crimps and folds visible.

The sides have carved / impressed motifs of interlocking cogs / cartwheels, a stylised modernist brutalist feel, so reminiscent of the era. These are glazed in a rough matte reddish terracotta colour, against a backdrop of greys and browns with an ancient and mottled burnt appearance.

Has the ‘Rooke’ impressed mark to the top of one side.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Bernard Rooke ceramics, British / European studio pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1960’s, 1970’s, mid century, modernist, brutalist, minimalist or contemporary interior.

In excellent condition, no cracks or chips.

Measures 14 x 14 x 11cm / 5.5 x 5.5 x 4.5in.

I have lots more retro, vintage and collectable items in my shop, take a look around, I will always combine shipping when possible! http://etsy.me/1Kvcs3t

Mdina glass ‘Helter Skelter’ vase by Michael Harris, Malta circa 1970’s

March 5, 2015Uncategorized1970's, afterglowretro, art glass, brighton, etsy, fiery red, helter skelter, home decor, interior design, Malta, Maltese glass, Mdina, Mdina glass, Mdina vase, Michael Harris, modernist glass, retro decor, Vase, volcanoafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a beautiful Mdina art glass vase in a fiery red Volcano / Helter Skelter decor by Michael Harris, Malta circa 1970’s.

A fantastic design, very different from Midna’s usual natural Mediterranean inspired work. The tapered body has a wide flat disk rim and thick applied strapping, wrapping around the body in an undulating ‘Helter Skelter’ style. All in a vibrant cased glass with fiery red swirls for dramatic effect.

Catches the light beautifully, through the fiery red glass and applied strappoing, and with light shining on it or through it, perfect as a statement piece for display, as a table centrepiece etc.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Mdina / Maltese / Art Glass and would complement any retro, vintage, 1970’s, minimal, modernist, Mediterranean or contemporary interior.

Measures 25 x 7.5 x 7.5cm / 10 x 3 x 3in.

In excellent condition, no marks, chips or scratches. Signed ‘Mdina’ to the base and has the Mdina and sales labels still intact.

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

‘Rimini Blu’ cat by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche, Italian pottery circa 1970’s

January 20, 2015Ceramics1960's, 1970's, Aldo Londi, animal figure, Bitossi, Bitossi cat, blue, brighton, cat, Cer Paoli, ceramiche, etsy, home decor, interior design, italian pottery, mid century, modernist, pop art, retro, rimini blu, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

Happy 2015! Only a couple of weeks into the New Year and I have already had a few exciting finds, including this lovely Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Rimini Blu’ cat. Designed by Aldo Londi in the late 1960’s in the classic decor and colours that are so reminiscent of the Mediterranean and the mid century modernist era. Super stylish with wonderful character, a beautiful piece to accessorise any sideboard, mantelpiece or table and would fit perfectly into any Bitossi or Italian pottery collection.

This was made for the shop Cer Paoli for a limited time in the early 1970’s hence their mark and not that of Bitossi on the base, and was sold on the Rimini Coast in the place that inspired the decor!

Here’s hoping for more great little gems like this for the rest of the year!

Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Moderna Marocco’ pottery ball vase, Italy, 1970’s

October 12, 2014Uncategorized1970's, abstract, Aldo Londi, Bitossi, bitossi ceramiche, brighton, etsy, Moderna Marocco, retro, Vase, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a striking Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Moderna Marocco’ pottery ball vase made in Italy circa mid 1970’s.

A stunning design and decor by Aldo Londi, inspired by textile patterns and the studio pottery movement of the 1970’s.
Featuring the characteristic pitted texture from the inclusion of rough granules in the clay, but unusually no sgraffito or impressed decor. Instead complex glazes with handpainted geometric patterns in black and white.

Lovely form with the bulbous ball shape having a lipped rim, sculptural and imposing. This decor and vase can be seen in Mark Hills ‘Alla Moda’ Italian ceramics book.

Wonderfully modernist / brutalist / minimalist in style, so reminiscent of the era, perfect as a practical vase, or as desk / table decor or to admire in its own right.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Bitossi / Italian / European art pottery, or 20th century design and would complement any retro, vintage, modernist, brutalist, minimalist, 1960’s, 1970’s or contemporary styled interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or cracks, still bears part of the original Rosenthal Netter distributors label.

Measures 17 x 13 x 13cm / 6.75 x 5.25 x 5.25in.

Available in my Etsy shop with a dish in the same decor : http://etsy.me/1sDhu4S

Malcolm Moran bronze figures / vignette, California, 1972

September 24, 2014Collectables1970's, brighton, bronze, California, children, etsy, figurines, flowers, Malcolm Moran, metal art, mid century, modernist, Moran, retro, sculpture, teddy bear, usa, vignette, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a beautiful whimsical vignette of two running and playing children, with flowers and teddy bear, in bronze by Californian artist and sculptor Malcolm Moran, 1972.

A wonderful piece by the highly collectable Malcolm Moran a mid century designer turned bronze sculptor who lived and worked in Carmel, California, and exhibited at the White House amongst many other achievements.

A stunning design, the two children holding hands and running through flowers. Amazing details from the jade green gravel on the brass base, curls of metal for plant leaves with lovely enamelled flowers. One figure is floating in mid air, suspended by the holding hands and swinging a teddy bear. Topped with painted headwear and some daubs to the cheeks to suggest playing as Indians.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Moran / American / Californian bronzes or sculptures, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1960’s, 70’s, mid century, modernist, minimalist or contemporary interior.

Marked to the base 1972 with the makers mark.

In excellent condition, with a lovely patina to the bronze.

Measures 17 x 7 x 14cm / 6.75 x 2.75 x 5.5in.

http://etsy.me/1rnrVsp

Bitossi Ceramiche ‘Rimini’ pottery table lamp, Italy circa 1960’s

July 14, 2014Ceramics1960's, 1970's, Aldo Londi, alla moda, Bitossi, bitossi ceramiche, bitossi rimini, bitossi table lamp, brighton, home decor, italian, italian pottery, mid century modern, mid century pottery, mid century table lamp, retro, rimini yellow, vintageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a lovely vintage Bitossi Ceramiche pottery table lamp, Italy circa late 1960’s / early 70’s.

With its alternating bands of impressed motifs resembling Arabesque or Runic patterns, a variation on the classic ‘Rimini’ decor. Beautiful glossy layered mustard yellow and brown glazes possibly a precursor to the ‘Sahara’ range, reminiscent of the sun and sand of the desert.

An imposing solid cylindrical form, sloping to a narrow bottle like neck and capped with a flat disc, could be paired up with a plain or brightly coloured / decorated shade for contrast.

Would make a fantastic practical lighting / display piece, and would look great in any 60’s, 70’s, retro, vintage, mid century modern, modernist or contemporary interior. A Great addition to any collection of Bitossi / Italian / European art pottery or 20th century design.

In Excellent Condition, no chips, cracks or crazing. Not signed or marked, many had paper distributors labels.

Measures 34 x 12 x 12cm / 13.5 x 4.75 x 4.75in.

Rewired with a new brass fitting with integral switch, a generous 1.5m of brass coloured cable, new plug, PAT tested. Fitted with a bayonet bulb holder and three pin plug (UK).

Overseas buyers please enquire about shipping costs, as this is a heavy item, packaged over 2kg, combined postage may be available, as would shipping lamp base with no fittings.

Available for sale in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1knu0Ok

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!

Double stem vase, made in Alba Iulia, Romania circa 1970’s

November 1, 2013Ceramics1960's, 1970's, afterglowretro, alba iulia, architectural, bertoncello, brighton, brutalist style, btnetsy, eastern bloc, etsy, mid century modern, modernist decor, modernist vase, porcelain vase, retro style, romanian porcelain, romanian pottery, space ageafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Great porcelain double stem vase, made in Alba Iulia, Romania circa 1970’s. Exact maker unknown.

A Fantastic piece with its twin tower / double stem form, wonderful abstract / geometric / architectural relief detailing. Very much in the Eastern Bloc Brutalist / Modernist style, very sculptural and owing much to the designs of Bertoncello.

Lovely glossy glazes in banded vertical shades of black, beige and brown, very reminiscent of the era.

A Striking display piece, makes a statement in its own right, would make a great centrepiece.

Would make a Stunning addition to any collection of European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, Brutalist, Modernist, 60’s, 70’s, minimal or contemporary styled interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 22 x 13 x 7cm / 8.75 x 5 x 2.75in.

Stamped makers mark to the base, partly blurred ‘Alba Iulia’.

Carstens Tonnieshof ‘Mooncrater’ vase, West Germany circa 1970

September 22, 2013Ceramics1970's, 7956-25, afterglow retro, brighton, carstens, carstens vase, ceramic, dieter peter, fat lava, keramik, luxus, modernist, mooncrater, pottery, retro, space age, studio pottery, Vase, vintage, West German, wgpafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning and Large Carstens Tonnieshof vase, West Germany circa 1970.

A Fantastic outlandish, prehistoric / space age design by Dieter Peter, part of the high end ‘Luxus’ range.

The bulbous slab of a body is topped with a small decorative handle and neck, a statement piece, not really intended as a practical display piece for flowers!

The body has a contoured surface resembling mooncraters, accentuated by the rough pumice-like glazes, very sculptural and complex, influenced by studio pottery during the era, with its influences ranging from the organic and natural to the prehistoric and space 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, 60’s, 70’s, mid century, modernist, space age, minimal or contemporary interior.

Marked to the base with the Carstens logo, 7956-25 W.-GERMANY.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 26 x 23 x 16cm / 10 x 9 x 6.25in.

Scheurich ‘Wien’ vase, designed by A. Seide, W.Germany circa early 1970’s

August 18, 2013Ceramics1970's, a seide, afterglow retro, brighton, brighton antique, brighton style, fat lava, pop art, pop art decor, retro style, scheurich vase, space age, vienna, vintage brighton, wein, wein vase, West German, west german pottery, wgpafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Beautiful Scheurich ‘Wien’ (Vienna) vase, designed by A. Seide, made in W.Germany circa early 1970’s.

A Fantastic form, the ‘Wein’ series is bulb like, with its rounded bulbous base, and triple ribbed neck, reminiscent of ‘Bibendum ‘ Michelin Man’.
A Striking decor, with the matte pumice like black and yellow glazes mottled and dripping down to a glossy vibrant red glaze. Flamelike with a nod to Pop Art and Space Age styles and very in keeping with the ‘Fat Lava’ designs of the era.

A Colourful statement piece, sculptural in its own right, and a perfect bright retro encapsulation of the era!

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

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 23 x 15 x 15cm / 9 x 6 x 6in.

Moulded mark to the base 269 – 22 W.GERMANY