THE ITEM
This fantastical piece is a joy to introduce and perhaps one of the most sentient-looking abstract ceramic bird figurines I've encountered.
Though appearing simple in colour palette and decor, the cobalt blue decor against the white glaze pays an excellent compliment to the birds form, size and quizzical expression. You could almost imagine that this bird was drawn in biro ink on a blank sheet of paper which then magically came to life.
Designed and made between 1961 to 1962, the time that Gerd Petersen was at Soholm Pottery, this limited edition piece is a fantastic companion to the home and lives up to its very apt name of 'Fabulous bird'.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Born in 1937, Gerd Hiort Petersen became Bornholm’s first female pottery apprentice when she took up her apprenticeship at Michael Andersen pottery in 1954. By the age of 27 her stoneware and porcelain were being exhibited in Denmark and abroad. She worked for Royal Copenhagen from 1965-1973, during her time at Royal Copenhagen she designed many pieces. Her work at Soholm Pottery during 1961 - 1962, includes many fantastical, imaginative pieces and many of the creatures have quite a surrealist, ancient vibe about them.
CONDITION
Excellent, no damage. There is light crazing all over and a few movement marks on base - commensurable with age, please see photos as part of condition report.
Gerd's initial's 'GHP' are inscribed into the base and there is the Soholm mark 'Made in Soholm, Denmark'.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11.3" / 29 cm by 12.6" / 32 cm in length (tip of beak to end of tail)
Unpackaged weight: c. 1.2 kg / 1,168 g
NOTES
Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.