THE ITEM

This exquisite work of Bauhaus inspired Modernist design is a very rare piece by Erhard Goschala (b. 1928 - d. 2003) of Meuselwitz, Germany. 

Goschala's style was focused on surface design through extraordinary glazes and throughout his life, he remained connected to Bauhaus design with symmetrical shapes and crystalline glazes. However, producing crystalline glazes at the time was problematic, due to difficulty in acquiring raw materials in the GDR and is what makes this piece a particularly rare find. 

The base glaze of this piece is a semi-matte white upon which the Azure blue crystalline glaze flows onto. The neck of the vase is a lightly metallic black that intersperses as an espresso brown into the blue. 

Overall, this stunning piece which would suit a room inspired by themes of Art Deco, Modernist or even Industrial decor.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Erhard Goschala (b. 1928 - d. 2003) was born in the Sudeten-region and studied pottery in Bürgel after WW2. Goschala mastered pottery at the age of 23 and would go on to move to Meuselwitz to set up his own studio in 1952. He exhibited at the Leipzig Grassi Museum, at the Altenburger Lindenau Museum, in Gera and Erfurt and numerous museums housed his work in their collections. Throughout his life, he remained connected to the Bauhaus tradition with symmetrical shapes and crystal glazes. However, the production of crystal glazes was problematic due to the lack of required raw materials in the GDR. Therefore, an engobe-sgrafitto decor is also typical of his work.

CONDITION

Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs. The underside of the vase is inscribed with Goschala's 'EGM' mark. 

MEASUREMENTS

c. 5.1" / 13 cm tall (from base to rim) x 4.3" / 11 cm in diameter. Unpackaged weight: 0.5 kg / 466 g

NOTES

Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

THE ITEM
This exceptional work of mid-century Modernist design is by the renowned ceramic artist and designer Gunnar Nylund, (b.1904 - d.1997). Nylund became well known for his 'matte feldspar' glazed stoneware, crystal glazes and for his stoneware animal sculptures. This piece was designed during his time as artistic director at Rörstrand.

This sculpture is flowing in form, with beautifully sculpted minimalist contours which quietly highlights its muscular feinting posture. The piece is glazed using the matte black on pale green glaze used in Nylunds 'Caolina' series.

Both the form and the glaze of this piece is a rarely seen combination by Nylund, the silky smooth glazed decor and form makes this a very tactile piece. This sculpture would be well suited to a room with decor inspired by Mid Mod, Modernist, Contemporary or even Industrialist themes.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The base bears the inscribed Rörstrand stamp that bears the inscription of 'Rorstrand' and Nylund's initials 'GN'.  

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.5" / 11.5 cm by c. 7.8" / 20 cm in length (from nose to tail) by c. 3.6" / 9.1 cm in width (across body's widest point). Unpackaged weight: 0.8 kg / 845 g

NOTES
Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Gunnar Nylund (1904–1997)
Nylund was a Swedish ceramic designer since the 1930s, best known as the artistic director of Rörstrand and was already a well-established ceramic artist in Denmark - first at the Bing & Grøndahl Porcelain factory in Copenhagen and later at Saxbo.

Nylund was resident at Rörstrand from 1931–1955 and for the majority of this time, as artistic director. He became well known for his new matte feldspar glazed stoneware in hare’s fur and crystal glazes and for his stoneware animal sculptures. Over five decades, Nylund crafted some 30 reliefs and sculptures commissioned for public spaces, including Europe’s largest stoneware fountain the “Scanisarius” in Bromölla, Sweden.

Most of Nylund’s original sculptures in stoneware chamotte ended up in museums, as did much of his other work. Sculptures such as the “Lion Head” is found at the National Museum in Stockholm, “Blue Bird” is at the Sèvres museum in Paris, his antelope head “Abyssinian mountain nyala”, is at the Röhsska museet in Gothenburg and the “Hamadryas Baboon” is at the Malmö Museum.

His piece “Bulls head in oxblood” was bought by the Ateneum museum in Helsinki. And a lot of his other work can be found at other museums around the world.

THE ITEM
This exceptional sculpture of handblown stylised art glass is by the glass master Licio Zanetti.This work is crafted from Alexandrite Neodymium glass and the technique used is likely Masello, given the weight, size and delicate elements of the sculpture and favoured by Licio. 

The allurement of this piece extends beyond the craftsmanship and that is in the Neodymium glass, a chemical element that is incorporated into the glass during the crafting process. Neodymium is sometimes known as Alexandrite, which changes colour from lilac under incandescent light or daylight and blue under fluorescent, household lights.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Founded in 1956 by Oscar Zanetti, Zanetti Murano Glassworks is a true family-run business and has since been handed down father to son for four generations. The glassworks quickly distinguished itself from the artistic quality of master Licio Zanetti's glass sculptures.

The glass studio soon took its place among the most prestigious companies on the island and has become one of the most important furnaces on Murano. Today, sculptures are sold through exclusive galleries in the city of Venice and selected partners around the world.

Massello is the technique used in Murano since the 1930s. The technique gives shape to hot glass held by a rod and uses the same tools as is used in blown glass-working. It's a technique with a strong visual impact, where the glass master uses precise movements.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs, there is minimal wear in the form of mild movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with age. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears Licio Zanetti's signature 'Zanetti L'. 

MEASUREMENTS
c. 17.7" / 45 cm in height x 13.7" / 35 cm width from beak to tail. Base diameter: 3.9" / 10 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.3 kg / 2,259 g

NOTES
Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

THE ITEM

This magnificent work of handblown Swedish art glass is by Bertil Vallien (b. 1938 - ), celebrated glass artist, sculptor, ceramist and designer. 

This piece is from the collectable 'Volcano' or 'Vulcano' series from the 'Artist Collection'. The Artist Collection concept was introduced by Vallien to give glass artists the freedom for personal, creative expression and to remove the 'mass-produced' feeling. Pieces are limited edition studio works, individual to the artist that created them.

This particular piece is gently freeform and sculptural, substantial, almost boulder-like and is composed of a frosted and iridescent, purple frit-glass giving the closely freckled effect. The iridescence shows of blues, greens and golds. 

Embedded in the body are threads and two discs of red which displays a golden sheen. The veined and myriad decor mimics the moments of lava fragments pooling and coloured with a resplendently oiled iridescence.

CONDITION

Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs. There is negligible age wear, predominantly to the chrome lamp fitting and is consistent with the age of the piece - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The base is engraved with 'BODA 98170 B VALLIEN'. The base is also labelled with the 'KOSTA BODA, SWEDEN' paper label. 

MEASUREMENTS

Height: c. 12.6" / 32 cm - including lamp fitting, height: c. 7.5" / 19 cm - excluding lamp fitting. Width: c. 8.3" / 21 cm in x depth: 6.9" / 17.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.4 kg / 2,363 g

NOTES

Lamp base will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Born 1938, Bertil Vallien was only 15 when he left home, drawn by the allure of the big city. After a series of occasional jobs, as a window-dresser at one of the main department stores in Stockholm, and as an apprentice in his father's decorating firm, Vallien would eventually decide to become an artist which would lead him into the world of ceramics. The guidance he received in his early career included that of Stig Lindberg - one of Sweden's foremost designers of ceramic art and one of the leading designers for Rörstrand in the 1970's.

A demonstration of Vallien's sand casting process: https://youtu.be/hjW7qoLvwYw

Today, Vallien is one of the most well-known representatives of 20th century Swedish ceramic and art glass design and is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design as well as abroad in the Everson Museum of Art of New York. 

Valiien's works have only become more collectable over the years with sculptures from his Head and Journey (Boat) series fetching up to $20,000 USD. 

THE ITEM
This beautifully bevelled work of 1970s Scandinavian Modernist design is by Pentti Sarpaneva (b.1925 - d. 1978) Finnish jewellery and decorative designer. This piece was produced by Oy Kumela glassworks for jewellers Torun Hopea. 

Sarpaneva's style was influenced by elements of the rugged Finnish landscape, casting textures from materials such as tree bark and rock. Other inspirations included traditional Finnish lace and the metals he worked with. 

The design of this piece encapsulates much of Sarpaneva's style, his inspirations and the Modernist design influences of the time. The graduating and staggered Grape purple glass surface shows off a number of textured and angular circular and semi-circular reliefs.

The form features a central column and is also bevelled at the base, making the overall shape jewel-like and heightening the ability for light refractions. 

The piece is finished with the bronze collar that is decorated in Sarpaneva's rugged lace design which can be found in his jewellery designs. 

CONDITION

Very good. No cracks or repairs to the glass. There are 2 negligible flakes on the rim and is mentioned for completeness. There is mild use wear to the bronze that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed 'Pentti Sarpaneva' and 'Oy Kumela'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.9" / 10 cm tall x c. 5.6" / 14.2  cm rim length and width (across widest point) Base is c. 3.5" / 9 cm in length and width. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6  kg / 1,561 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Pentti Sarpaneva (b.1925 - d. 1978)  Sarpaneva trained in graphic
design, at the Institute of Industrial Art and following the war, began his design career in the late 1950s. He designed for Kalevala Koru Oy and later in 1967, he became artistic director for Turun Hopea, remaining there until his death. 

Unique amongst his contemporaries, Sarpaneva would cast his designs straight from nature and the man-made environment, often using rocks and tree bark, as well as discarded rope and lace. During the height of his career, he was known for producing emotive, avant-garde, bold and eccentric designs.