Arabia Finland

The images below are of one of the Arabia pieces I got at auction on Monday. It is one of the extra-large chocolate or grandfather cups rarely seen, and just stunning. Design by Raija Uosikkinen, and the pattern is Emilia (thanks Withori! ) I've had one of the plates in this design before - highly collectable and ever increasing in value) 

I wont be able to post for a few days as I sort out a new internet service and upgrade my laptop, router, wifi etc etc . Im doing this post using my iPhone as a modem,  but I cant do that too often or it will cost me a fortune in data charges.

Hope to be back in business by Tuesday next week at the latest with a whole lot more Arabia goodies to post from Monday's auction.

3 Cows are better than 1 - Kaj Franck

I managed to pick up not one, but THREE! Arabia - Kaj Franck cow jugs yesterday at auction...small, medium and large.

I just love the expression on their faces. They are highly collectable, and prices for them just seem to keep going strong year after year such is their appeal.  You will find a huge number of images of the works of Kaj Franck on google image search HERE

This short background on Kaj Franck comes from Wikipedia:

Kaj Franck (1911-1989) was one of the leading figures of Finnish design, the teacher of several generations of professional designers in Finland, and an influential figure in design and applied arts between 1940-1980. He was artistic director of the Wärtsilä Group (later Hackman Plc, present-day Iittala Group) and artistic director and teacher at the College of Applied Arts, the predecessor of the University of Art and Design Helsinki.

Soholm Wall Plaque - Gerd Petersen

At auction today, I picked up this lovely Soholm stoneware wall plaque, by Gerd Hjorth Petersen.  It was a huge day of purchases - practically filling up the car - boot, back and front!. I will post many of them on the blog over the coming days and weeks.

Gerd worked for Michael Andersen, Soholm and Royal Copenhagen in Denmark, before setting up her own studio.

See my previous post on Gerd HERE. I love the way she uses symbols and motifs and the colour blue often, to decorate her work.

Carstens - West Germany

My first piece of Carstens - via eBay a week or so ago.  I know it is a pretty common pattern, but it is one of my favourites with its geometric design and almost metallic black glaze with a wax resist technique exposing the lovely grey/blue underglaze. Perfect!

Vallauris Pottery by Charles Voltz, France c1950

I've been on the lookout for some French pottery from the 1950's ever since I discovered the work of Roger Capron who I blogged about previously - especially  pottery from Vallauris where Capron and many of his associates worked  - and where there was a strongly influence with the presence of Picasso around this time.

Finally this week some came up for auction, and I purchased it at a reasonable price (quite a bit of it had damage though - as it is quite fragile low fired terracotta ware)

The pieces are by Charles Voltz (b1923- ) who was one of about 20 well known potters from the area.

Isn't it the *BRIGHTEST* Orange you have even seen!? What I got was a coffee pot, 6 mugs, a cookie jar and sugar bowl.

You can see more of the work of Charles Voltz in the Vallauris Pottery section of the website 20th Century European Ceramics

Charles Voltz - Vallauris - Coffee Pot (lid removed) circa 1950 - low fired terracotta

Charles Voltz - Vallauris - Cookie Jar, circa 1950

Charles Voltz - Vallauris - Coffee Mugs, Circa 1950

Signature of Charles Voltz on his Vallauris Ceramics, France circa 1950's

Charles Voltz - Vallauris - Sugar Bowl - circa 1950

Danish Animal Figurines

I'm not a collector of figurines, but find myself all of a sudden with quite a few building up! These 2 little cuties were in the large bay lot I purchased at auction on Monday.

I haven't been able to find out anything about the potteries stamped to the bottom - HNB for the porcupine and Bergsten - for the owl - except for a few images of other pieces by them. The 3rd image is a piece of Bergsten I found on an old ebay listing.

Update 28.8.11 - follow the link in the comment below from Karen....Lars Bergsten who died earlier this year is actually Swedish and there is a website link from the comment with a lot of his fantastic work posted.  

Bergsten Owl - 8cm tall hollowed figurine

HNB Denmark - 7cm x7cm solid figurine

Bergsten Candle holder - Figurine

A few more Teapots

Here are 3 more teapots I have picked up over the past 2 weeks from auctions. The first is Arabia 'Kaarna" pattern by Ulla Procope for Arabia Finland (Kaarna translates as 'bark" - and it certainly has the texture of wood or bark.)


Arabia "Kaarna" Teapot

The second is Royal Doulton "Rosslyn" pattern from 1933 which is still very popular here in Australia - possibly because everyone's grandmother seems to have had a set and it is quite nostalgic. I do like the colours and design of the pattern, and can see why it is still so collectable.


Royal Doulton "Rosslyn" teapot 1933

And finally, this is one of the pieces in the large bay lot of pottery I purchased at yesterdays auction. It is very small (just enough for 1 cup) and appears to have Russian writing on the bottom - the pattern has quite a Russian-Folksy feel about it too. I quite like it. See my "top 20" teapots post HERE

Russian Teapot - unknown maker

Michael Andersen "Negro" Tribal Series Vase

I picked up this lovely little Michael Andersen "Negro" series gourd vase (design sometimes referred to as "tribal") at auction today.

I probably paid a bit more than I should have because I had to purchase a whole "bay lot" of about 30 pieces  which came with it - many damaged but I think there are a few gems in there - a bit of a mystery box really.

The pattern is one of the Michael Andersen series that I collect whenever I can, as it is quite hard to get, and often expensive.

I love the simple black and white design (sometimes it has a small patch of red in the design), and the way the clay is carved away leaving the raised white area - much like the look of a lino block ready to print. The series was designed by Marianne Starck in the 1950's. See my other posts on Michael Andersen & Sons HERE

 

Another Dybdahl Treasure

Thank you again to Andy Blick in Canada for sending through these images of one of the pieces of Dybahl he still has from his time as an apprentice at the Dybdahl pottery in Denmark. See my previous post on Andy and Dybdahl  HERE .

In the photo at the end you can see 3-4 of these lovely goblets on the table. (the photo is of Palle Dybdahl taken by Andy)

Acapulco Advertising Ephemera 1970's

I often forget to use Flickr as a research tool, but it is a treasure trove for just about anything you can think of and things you would never have thought of -  like these:

After doing the post on Tuesday on the Villeroy & Boch Acapulco pattern I thought  I would have a look around on Flickr - and found these great images of advertising for "Acapulco" from the photostream of "Puppilottchen" (Nicola)  who is a designer in Germany who has some charming images in her Flickr site.  (Clicking on the images will take you to the Puppilottchen photostream for more goodies)

There was obviously a whole range of enamelled wares made in this pattern as well - but I have never seen any of it. I'd love the kettle.

Follow THIS link to Nicola's charming blog and see some of her designs.



Gouda Massa Vase

I picked up this very attractive vase a few weeks ago at auction. It is a piece of Gouda, from Massa pottery from Holland. Gouda is actually a generic term referring to pottery from Holland  - and Gouda is/was an area where there are/were a lot of potteries.

Gouda pottery is not something I normally collect - but I loved the decorative pattern of this piece and its subtle colours. It appears to be either from the Art Nouveau or Art Deco periods. Whenever I see a piece of Gouda pottery it reminds me of British Moorcroft pottery...especially the tubelined pieces and the way pattern is used.

If you want to find out more about Gouda pottery, and dating it etc. then THIS site is a good starting point and has a link to a much larger specialist Gouda site.

Acapulco!

Well it finally feels as if Spring is finally on the way here, which means Autumn for all you guys at the top of the globe - my favourite 2 seasons of the year. Looking out the bedroom window this morning I noticed the first burst of blossom on the pear tree in the front garden....yay! I hate the grey coldness of winter.

In this pre-spring or summery mood, I share with you these images are of some gorgeous Villeroy & Boch "Acapulco" pattern serving dishes I bought at auction yesterday, just bursting with energy. Acapulco has to be one of the brightest and most colourful patterns of the 20th Century, and is still highly popular.

These pieces have the older stamp (blue). If you see some with a brown stamp they are from the re-release of Acapulco in the 1980's (but equally as collectible and desirable - although the older ones often bring more at auction). Even the backstamp is a lovely piece of design.

See my previous post on Acapulco HERE

Mid Year Break, Hornsea & Cylons

I'm having a brief mid year break and will return to blogging on August 16th. Have a look through the Archives while I'm gone - there is so much there now that I've even had to buy extra storage space for all the images.

Also if you are in the U.K in the E. Yorkshire area, and into HORNSEA Pottery, (one of the most looked at topics on this blog!) have a look at this note from Patty who is involved with it:

Over the August bank holiday weekend, 27, 28 and 29, there will be Hornsea Nostalgia days at the site of the old pottery which is now the shopping outlet Hornsea Freeport, at Hornsea, E. Yorks. We had a nostalgia day last year which was very successful so this year it is on for the 3 days. You will find members with tables piled high selling their surplus items, the museum will have a display and there are usually some experts or ex-employees on hand to pass on information about pots & rare pieces. It's a great event and better than buying off Ebay as you can see and handle the pots. Below is the link to Hornsea Freeport events although at the moment there is not much information about the event as it has only just been announced:
http://www.hornseafreeport.com/events/summer_sizzler_nostalgia_event/ 

And just for a change from pottery images, I'm posting this wonderful modernist/retro wood carving wall plaque by a local artist I bought at auction last week, dated 1971.  It's large piece, which would look amazing in a modernist house on a brick wall,  but may have to hang on the wall in my office for now :).

Reminds me of the Cylon Mother Ship (Sci-Fi fans will know what I mean)

Oh...and make sure you have a look at the Forum if you haven't in a while. Some amazing Wester German pieces there currently!

See you soon, Ray.

10 Crazy Alumina Birds

This was one of my purchases at auction on Monday. Not just one, but TEN "Crazy Birds" by Beth Breyen for Alumina/Royal Copenhagen c 1965. 

I'm a bit perplexed as to what they were originally designed for as they are like extra-large coasters, 15cm in diameter and perfectly flat.

Perhaps they were used as trivets to protect the Danish Teak table from hot cups & dishes. They don't seem to be wall plaques as there is no method for attaching them.

See my previous Beth Breyen post HERE

An Angel from Denmark

At auction on Monday I purchased 2 figurines - the one from yesterday and this gorgeous little Angelic candle holder - again by L. Hjorth of Bornholm, Denmark - previous to 1927.

Similarly to yesterday the piece is made simply from moulded terracotta with a white tin underglaze, over painted with blue. Adorable.

L. Hjorth Figurine of Sheep & Girl

I bought this adorable figurine at auction yesterday. It is by Hjorth, Denmark and was made before 1927 as it doesn't have the reindeer stamp, just the Hjorth stamp.

It is made simply out of terracotta, handmodled with a tin/fajance glaze on top. I love the way that it has captured a moment so simply and without excessive detail.

Achingly beautiful!