1960 Danish Royal Copenhagen Aluminia Johannes Hedegaard Glaze Relief Earthenware Wall Ceramic

This elegant work of Swedish Mid Century Modern design is by Hjördis Oldfors (b. 1920 - d. 2014) for Upsala Ekeby. Oldfors was a celebrated Swedish ceramicist, painting, and textile artist, known for many series she designed at Upsala Ekeby which went on to become classics.

This hand-glazed work comes from Oldfors popular Kokos series, for which there are ten works of earthenware dishes, bowls and vases designed in 1954 and in production until 1958. The series is characterised by the clean-lined, swelling forms and the deliciously tactile decor. The decor is an arrangement of sgraffito bands of glossy Dandelion yellow glaze alternating with the unglazed Dark Chocolate earthenware. The combination of the silky smooth glaze bands and the unglazed elements present a striking and tactile contrast.

The form of this piece and of the series is undeniably Modernist in design, highlighting the seamless harmony of function, form, and raw materials

CONDITION
Excellent - there are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild and age-commensurate surface wear to the exterior. The underside of the base is inscribed with Upsala Ekebys 'UE' and Oldfors 'HJ' monogram and the model number '5026'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.3" / 8.5 cm tall (from base to rim). Rim measurements: c. 6" / 15.3 cm x c. 5.8" / 14.8 cm. Base diameter measurements: c. 2" / 5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.3 kg / 315 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Hjördis Hanna Maria Oldfors (b. 1920 - d. 2014) was a celebrated Swedish ceramicist, painting, and textile artist. Oldfors is known for many series she designed at Upsala Ekeby which went on to become classics; including Poäng (Points), Kokos (Coconut), Trio (Trio), Palma (Palma), and Granit (Granite). Oldfors is represented at a number of museums including; National Museum (Sweden), Röhsska Museum, and at the Nordenfjeldske Konstindustrimuseum.

Though Oldfors was a late arrival to her ceramics career, beginning her studies in 1947 in Gothenburg, she became incredibly successful. Her career at Upsala Ekeby began in 1950 when she was 30 and she would go on to set up her own studio 'Bränd Form' with a number of exhibitions representing Upsala Ekeby and her own studio. The curators of the day are notably known to have said "She has an astonishing certainty in the abstract decor and its adaptation to the form. In this area, she does not have many competitors in our ceramics."

This beautifully elegant work of mid-century Modernist stoneware was designed by Aldo Londi (b. 1911 - d. 2003) for Bitossi Ceramiche. Inspiration for the glaze is said to be taken from the Adriatic Sea, off the coast of Rimini in Italy, and hence the series name Rimini Blu.

The glaze and the series that subsequently grew from it, has become iconic and the most highly collectable of Aldo Londis' work. The form of this particular piece has been crafted with superb almost-sentience and character, the stance captured is one of mid-feint and with curiosity.

Accentuating the work is the geometric and highly tactile 'Sgraffito' decor, with shapes and lines being embossed into the clay during the crafting process. The glaze displays strokes of green, Persiano and deep blue, the great blend of glossy smooth glaze is interspersed with coarse grit in the clay.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs. There is natural wear that is commensurable with age, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the sculpture is marked with the model number '42120/628' and 'ITALY'. 

MEASUREMENTS
c. 6.5" / 16.5 cm tall (arch of back to base) x c. 12.8" / 32.5 cm long (horns to tail) x c. 6" / 15.2 cm wide (across widest point of front hooves). Unpackaged weight: c. 2 kg / 2,115 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
After World War II, master ceramist Aldo Londi (b. 1911 - d. 2003) became the creative director of Bitossi Ceramiche, a position he held for more than 50 years. Londi apprenticed in ceramics at the young age of 11 and brought deep expertise in traditional ceramics production to Bitossi.

He’s best known for his 1950s-era collection, this Rimini Blu. This iconic mid-century modern series contains over 150 designs, including bowls, vases, jugs and animal figurines, all glazed in a vibrant blue hue and embossed with abstract motifs and shapes.

Londi created the first piece glazed in Persiano Blue, the Ball Vase in 1955. Shortly after 1959, he began to create more pieces in this proprietary glaze. The collection holds historical importance because it helped to bring handcrafted and expressive works into the modernist design conversation in Italy.

Though blue was not the only colour Bitossi favoured, it has become closely associated with the brand’s identity. The collection is still in production today and widely collected by ceramics enthusiasts.

This elegantly glamourous work of Art Deco design is by the British Pottery Crown Devon. Like much of Art Deco design, there is a focus on shape and absence of extravagance, however, the form of this piece also carries strong echoes of the Art Deco Odeon style.

Art Deco Odeon style references the revolution in British style brought about by the c.260 Odeon cinemas that sprung up across the UK from the late 1920s. Over 13 years, Oscar Deutsch created a circuit of cinemas where the buildings celebrated Art Deco Modernism with sweeping, simple yet strongly defined lines.

The central feature of the vase is the plinthed conical form that is complimented by the strongly defined straight and curved 'struts' on either side. The glaze across the entire palette of Powdered Verdigris, Latte and Slate-Blue is semi-matte, giving understated refinement to the stylised leaf design.

Timeless in style and when combined with the featured design; the size and overall condition of this piece make this a rare find. 

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips or repairs. There is mild surface wear to movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears Crown Devon's stamp and the model number '2406'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.6" / 19.3 cm (from base to rim) x c. 5.5" / 14 cm diameter (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 4.1" / 10.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.7 kg / 725 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY

Crown Devon Fieldings (1870 - 1982) The pottery was founded in 1870 by Simon Fieldings in Stoke on Trent but it would be 10 years later before they began to produce Majolica style pottery that was popular during the 1880s. Their product range began to expand in the 1890s, working with British United Clock company and they would continue to expand their product range as popularity flourished after successful world trade fairs in the 1900s. They sustained their success for over a century before sadly closing in 1982 at the time of the recession.

This subtly bold work of Modernist design is British pottery Beswick. Strong curves arch asymmetrically to form the handles on either side of the central vent defining the overall form as a superb backdrop for the contrasting glaze decor.

The base tone of the glaze is the high-quality semi-matte glaze in Buttermilk cream. Overlaid onto the base glaze are handpainted geometric delineations in tones of Dark Chocolate, Apricot, Mint, and Powdered Violet. 

The various elements in the design bring sleek sophistication and elegance suiting a room with decor inspired by Modernist, Art Deco, or Contemporary design influences. 

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips or cracks. There is light wear that is most evident on the underside of and interior that is commensurable with the age of the piece, please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside bears the stamp 'BESWICK, MADE IN ENGLAND' and faintly imprinted the model number '190'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.5" / 19 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 4.8" / 12.3 cm in length (across the widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 0.7 kg / 700 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Beswick Pottery
The Beswick firm was founded as 'J W Beswick' in 1892 by James Beswick and his sons in Staffordshire and originally produced tablewares and ornaments. The pottery was chiefly known for producing high-quality porcelain figurines such as animals and Beatrix Potter characters that have become highly sought after in the collectables market.

Following James Beswick's death in 1921, his grandson John took over and continued to expand the business. In 1934, introduced a new range of jugs, bowls and vases decorated with new matte glazes. Responding to the Modernist design influence of the time, many of these highly distinctive shapes were designed by Mr Symcox . These works were often decorated in 'satin matte' glazes using soft pastel colours running into each other or arranged in striking modern geometric blocks and lines. Beswick would go on to become known for their ceramic animal figures before being taken over by Royal Doulton in 1969 and finally closing in the early 2000's.

Though it is said these pieces will never be worth thousands, still, there is revived and growing interest in their Art Deco pieces as they survive in very good condition. They also justify Beswick's annoucement in a 1930's advertisement of "a sound body, with a brilliant, non-crazing glaze fashioned in hundreds of shapes".

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

This subtly bold work of Art Deco design is British pottery Beswick. With strong curves that infer Streamline Moderne, the international style of Art Deco that emerged in the 1930s was inspired by aerodynamic design. The elevated and sharp overlapping fins that form the triangular mouth of this piece capture attention with its presence. The overall form is a superb backdrop for the contrasting glaze decor.

The interior of the mouth is a striking Mint green which beautifully compliments the semi-matte drip glaze composition of Cobalt Blue, Flax Yellow that is finished with an accent of Sienna brown. The flow of the glaze beautifully contrasts against the strongly defined geometric lines of the piece.

The various elements in the design bring sleek sophistication and elegance suiting a room with decor inspired by Modernist, Art Deco, or Contemporary design influences. The excellent condition, model and palette of this work are a rare find.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips or cracks. There is mild crazing to the glaze and light wear that is most evident on the underside of the feet which is commensurable with the age of the piece, please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the feet is faintly embossed with 'BESWICK ENGLAND' and only the belly underside, the model number '178'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.5" / 19 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 7.1" / 18 cm in length (across the widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.0 kg / 980 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Beswick Pottery
The Beswick firm was founded as 'J W Beswick' in 1892 by James Beswick and his sons in Staffordshire and originally produced tablewares and ornaments. The pottery was chiefly known for producing high-quality porcelain figurines such as animals and Beatrix Potter characters that have become highly sought after in the collectables market.

Following James Beswick's death in 1921, his grandson John took over and continued to expand the business. In 1934, introduced a new range of jugs, bowls and vases decorated with new matte glazes. Responding to the Modernist design influence of the time, many of these highly distinctive shapes were designed by Mr Symcox . These works were often decorated in 'satin matte' glazes using soft pastel colours running into each other or arranged in striking modern geometric blocks and lines. Beswick would go on to become known for their ceramic animal figures before being taken over by Royal Doulton in 1969 and finally closing in the early 2000's.

Though it is said these pieces will never be worth thousands, still, there is revived and growing interest in their Art Deco pieces as they survive in very good condition. They also justify Beswick's annoucement in a 1930's advertisement of "a sound body, with a brilliant, non-crazing glaze fashioned in hundreds of shapes".

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

This subtly bold work of Modernist design influence is by designer and modeller Albert Hallam. The elevated and sharp Right Triangle form of this piece captures attention with its presence and difficult to avoid wherever it is displayed. The form is a superb backdrop for the contrasting glaze decor.

The interior decor is a glossy golden mustard that is not particularly loud on its own. However, when paired with the matte yet iridescent black lustre glaze on the exterior, it becomes a necessity for emphasising the sharply geometric form of the piece.

The various elements in the design bring sleek sophistication and elegance suiting a room with decor inspired by Modernist, Retro, Contemporary, or Industrial design influences. The excellent condition and design of this work are a rare find.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips or cracks. There is mild use wear that is most evident on the underside of the feet that is commensurable with the age of the piece, please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the dish is debossed with 'BESWICK ENGLAND' and the model number '1985' with production period dated to between 1964 to 1972.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.9" / 10 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 14.6" / 37 cm in length x c. 9" / 23 cm in width. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.1 kg / 1,071 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Albert Hallam (b. 1912 - d. 1975/76)
Albert Hallam joined Beswick in 1926 at the age of fourteen as apprentice mould maker and in due course became the head of mould making and an important modeller in his own right. The growth of his influence followed the retirement of Arthur Gredington and Hallam was instrumental in maintaining Beswick’s high standard of modelling and figure creation.

Beswick Pottery
The Beswick firm was founded as 'J W Beswick' in 1892 by James Beswick and his sons in Staffordshire and originally produced tablewares and ornaments. The pottery was chiefly known for producing high-quality porcelain figurines such as animals and Beatrix Potter characters that have become highly sought after in the collectables market.

Following James Beswick's death in 1921, his grandson John took over and continued to expand the business. In 1934, introduced a new range of jugs, bowls and vases decorated with new matte glazes. Responding to the Modernist design influence of the time, many of these highly distinctive shapes were designed by Mr Symcox . These works were often decorated in 'satin matte' glazes using soft pastel colours running into each other or arranged in striking modern geometric blocks and lines. Beswick would go on to become known for their ceramic animal figures before being taken over by Royal Doulton in 1969 and finally closing in the early 2000's.

Though it is said these pieces will never be worth thousands, still, there is revived and growing interest in their Art Deco pieces as they survive in very good condition. They also justify Beswick's annoucement in a 1930's advertisement of "a sound body, with a brilliant, non-crazing glaze fashioned in hundreds of shapes".

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