1990s Moominmamma and Moominpapa figurines by Tuulikki Pietilä for Arabia of Finland

This delicious handblown work of Postmodern art glass is by leading Swedish glass artist Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -) for Kosta Boda. From his popular series named Bon Bon that was designed by Engman in 1989, the series remained in production until 2005. 

Accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his seemingly unlimited imagination with art glass, it's easy to see why Engman named this series Bon Bon. With candy-coloured pieces ranging from pairing Candied Mint with Coquelicot orange to Sky Blue paired with Jewel yellow shaped into forms as joyful as the vibrant colour palette. 

The central part of this particular piece is spheroid-shaped, beautifully curved, and toned in Candied Lemon. Embedded into the spheroid are the stripes of Amethyst and Lilac purple forming the neck, the merging of the two colours finishing in a lightly sanded texture. This work is further accented with a handle in Candied coral and finished with a clear base.

Vivid and vibrant, this excellent work is an addition of delight to its surrounding space.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repair. There is negligible surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed, denoting 'Kosta Boda, Artist's Coll[ection], K Engman, 89065'

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 10.5" / 26.7 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 5.3" / 13.5 cm in width (across widest point). Depth: c. 2.2" / 5.7 cm. Rim: c. 1.9" / 4.7 cm. Base: c. 3.3" / 8.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: 0.9 kg / 860 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -), was accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his seemingly unlimited imagination with art glass and known for being one of ten highly talented artists. Since joining Kosta Boda in 1978, Engman has designed a number of iconic series, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as the animal kingdom, the world of music and entertainment.

Engman's style is distinctive and immediately recognisable. Common characteristics to his work include being bold, bright and colourful, ranging from the playful to the delicate to the sensuous. It could almost be described as Dali-esque and does not conform to preconceptions of simple, minimalist Swedish design.

Engman has often been commissioned at home in Sweden and abroad, designing works for public display and even famous pieces such as the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest trophy. Engman's latest works and installations can be found at his dedicated website: http://www.kjellengman.com/

This delicious handblown work of Postmodern art glass is by leading Swedish glass artist Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -) for Kosta Boda. From his popular series named Bon Bon was designed by Engman in 1989, the series remained in production until 2005. 

Accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his seemingly unlimited imagination with art glass, it's easy to see why Engman named this series Bon Bon. With candy-coloured pieces ranging from pairing Lavender lilac with Lemon yellow to Marmalade orange with Sky blue in forms as joyful as the vibrant colour palette. 

The central part of this particular piece is spheroid-shaped, beautifully curved, and toned in Candied Sapphire blue. Embedded into the spheroid are the stripes of Coquelicot and Coral orange forming the neck, the merging of the two colours finishing in a lightly sanded texture. This work is further accented with a tiered stopper in candied tones of Sapphire, Lemon, Mint and Cherry. 

Vivid and vibrant, this excellent work is an addition of delight to its surrounding space.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repair. There is negligible surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed, denoting 'Kosta Boda, Artist's Coll[ection], K Engman, 89650'

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 10.4" / 26.5 cm tall (from base to stopper) x c. 6.2" / 15.7 cm in width (across widest point). Depth: c. 4.1" / 10.3 cm. Rim: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Base: c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: 1.3 kg / 1,310 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -), was accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his seemingly unlimited imagination with art glass and known for being one of ten highly talented artists. Since joining Kosta Boda in 1978, Engman has designed a number of iconic series, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as the animal kingdom, the world of music and entertainment.

Engman's style is distinctive and immediately recognisable. Common characteristics to his work include being bold, bright and colourful, ranging from the playful to the delicate to the sensuous. It could almost be described as Dali-esque and does not conform to preconceptions of simple, minimalist Swedish design.

Engman has often been commissioned at home in Sweden and abroad, designing works for public display and even famous pieces such as the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest trophy. Engman's latest works and installations can be found at his dedicated website: http://www.kjellengman.com/

This joyful work of mid-century handblown art glass is by Japanese art glass studio Kamei glassworks. There is an air of graceful elegance in its form, particularly with the hot-worked unfurling and rippling rim that is seminal to Kamei's glass art expertise. The form of the main body proudly displays the evenly curved segments with the overlapping Cobalt Blue interwoven with the White. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips or cracks or repairs, with few and mild movement marks on the underside of the vase base that is commensurable with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 5.7" / 14.5 cm (base to rim) Rim measurements: c. 5.2" / 13.2 cm x c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm (across widest points). Base diameter: c. 2" / 5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 360 g. 

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Fun fact: the literal translation of the word 'Kamei' is 'Turtle well' and is, in fact, a Japanese surname. The Kamei glassworks was founded in Osaka, Japan in the 1910s.

Sadly, little is known about the glass artists resident at the glassworks. Perhaps it is due to the language barrier but it is well known amongst the avid glass collectors community that there are many Chinese and Japanese glassmakers whose skill and techniques rival the famous Murano, Czech and Scandinavian makers of the Western world. The styles in which the glass was produced were similar to that of their Western counterparts but like all things, they had subtle differences, such as the finishing technique and colour palettes (a tendency for more vivid colours).

This touch-inviting work of art pottery is by the internationally famous English ceramic artist and Art Director of Newport Pottery, Clarice Cliff (b. 1899 - d.1972). This particular piece comes from the Waterlily series by Cliff in 1938 with the form and hand painted décor being inspired by the flower of the same name.

The exquisitely tactile design came during a time when taste was towards heavily modelled ware. Cliff reflected this preference into the curved and lightly gathered petals, the diminutive flower buds nestled on the lily pads which cushion the flower and floating reed leaves resting on the lake surface. This design also came during the time of Cliff's successful breakthrough into international fame, where she received unprecedented publicity and when the phrase 'career woman' did not exist. 

This refined piece is an excellent representation of Cliff's innate ability to bring forth and elevate the unique qualities in something that is otherwise seemingly simple. Stylistically timeless, the combination of the design with the colour palette and its condition makes it a beautiful statement piece that is also a tangible piece of history.  

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips or repairs. There is a single hairline rupture on the interior of the bowl that does not affect the display or functional qualities as well as crazing to the glaze 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 dish is stamped with Cliff's 'Clarice Cliff, NEWPORT POTTERY, ENGLAND' 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.7" / 12 cm (from base to rim) Width: c. 7.9" / 20cm cm x c. 6.1" / 15.5 cm. Base measurements:: c. 8.7" / 22.2 cm x c. 6.9" / 17.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.1 kg / 1,080 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Clarice Cliff (1899 - 1972)
Born in the city of Stoke on Trent that was made famous by its pottery in 1899, Cliff was working in one of the many factories by the time she was 13 and by the late 1920s she was designing the colourful pottery that would blossom her career. Her striking signature characteristics appeared in her use of colour, pattern and form design. Innovative and talented, she would go on to become Art Director for Newport Pottery in 1930. 

Cliff became successful and internationally famous on an unprecedented level for a woman ceramic artist despite being known for being shy. Her colourful life and unmistakable skills in design are still being celebrated in modern day. 

This elegant work of Art Deco design is by the British Pottery Crown Devon. The pitcher jug form is seemingly simple but there are actually a number of subtle Art Deco design nuances incorporated into the design. The body is accentuated by the gently exaggerated curves at the belly and handle, with a finishing accent of a lightly fluted rim and spout. The most standout feature is obviously the carved detail and the way the body of the vase swells around the carved lines, making each section exquisitely tactile. 

The semi-matte silk glaze décor is a blending of Sky blue, dappled with dashes of pale Chartreuse, this graduates into a Dusted Cocoa brown. This refined piece is stylistically timeless and the combination of the design, colour palette, size as well as excellent condition makes it a particularly rare find.

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips or repairs. There is mild and negligible crazing all over 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 denoting 'Crown Devon, Made in England' and a further indistinct stamp with the series name 'Harlem'. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.9" / 20 cm (from base to rim) x c. 4.3" / 11 cm rim (across widest point). Diameter: c. 5.9" / 15 cm (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 3" / 7.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1 kg / 1,025 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 beautifully sculptural work of Art Deco design is by British Pottery Beswick, a firmly celebrated name in British ceramics design. The sleek pitcher jug form showcases the highly tactile and sculpturally undulating bands that finishes in a flourish of very Art Deco accents of an accentuated rim and softly geometric handle. 

The glaze decor is Beswick's popular semi-matte Satin glaze, with a base of sumptuous Powdered Cerulean blue that is interspersed with dapplings of white and dustings of Cocoa brown. The base glaze is overlaid with a hand-painted, stylised Daisies in Milk white, Butter and Bumblebee yellow.

This stylistically timeless and refined piece also proudly displays its Art Deco design influences of the 1920-30s, the combination of the form with the colour palette and condition makes it a rare find.

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips or repairs. The most significant wear is age-related crazing all over and water staining on the interior that is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears the faint inscription 'MADE IN ENGLAND', the model number '162' and the Beswick stamp.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11" / 28 cm. Width: c. 8.3" / 21 cm (across widest point). Depth: c. 4.3" / 11 cm (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 3.9" / 10 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.2 kg / 1,185g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Beswick Pottery 1892 - 2002
The Beswick firm was founded as 'J W Beswick' in 1892 by James Beswick and his sons in Staffordshire and originally produced tableware 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 2000s.