Danish Stoneware: Bode Willumsen, Own Studio, Vase with Mythical Creatures 1930s

Description: Danish Stoneware: Bode Willumsen, Own Studio, Vase with Mythical Creatures 1930s In Denmark, some of the earliest examples of artistic stoneware were produced at Royal Copenhagen, with glazes by the chemist Valdemar Engelhardt (1860-1915) on forms by Hans Hjorth. It was really only with the arrival in 1911 at Royal Copenhagen of the Swede Patrick Nordström (1870-1929) that commercial stoneware production took off in earnest. Patrick Nordström was born in Väsby, outside Höganäs, a major Swedish pottery center. He was the son of a master carpenter and trained as a woodcarver and sculptor. After completing his studies in Stockholm, he spent five years traveling in Europe, starting in Berlin and going on to Venice and Paris. Before leaving Paris, he worked as a stucco and ornament sculptor in the construction of buildings for the 1900 Paris Exhibition Universelle, where he is reported to have been impressed by the work of a new generation of French stoneware artists, including Carries, Chaplet, Delaherche and Dalpayrat. Also in attendance at the Paris exhibition was Arnold Krog (1856-1931), the Danish architect, painter and designer, who served as Artistic Director at Royal Copenhagen from 1884 to 1916, and who returned from Paris inspired and determined to bring the art of stoneware manufacture to Denmark. After leaving Paris, Nordström took up residence in Copenhagen, where he initially resumed his profession as an ornament sculptor. In his spare time he began to experiment with ceramic works, a field in which he was entirely self-taught, in a self-built kiln in the basement of his home in Fredriksberg. In 1911, he produced his first pieces in stoneware in a kiln in the garden of his villa in Vanlöse, where he also fired works for other artists, including Knud Kyhn and J.J. Bregnöe. Nordström drew his inspiration from the Chinese and Japanese influences on French stoneware artists. Nordström’s production soon attracted the interest of Arnold Krog at Royal Copenhagen, and he began work there in 1912, initially to develop stoneware glazes. He was to remain at Royal Copenhagen for ten years, eventually assuming overall responsibility for its stoneware production. Nordström left Royal Copenhagen in 1922 to establish his own workhop in Islev, but only after leaving a legacy of technical innovation in glazes, his own body of studio stoneware inspired by Japanese and Chinese art, and a group of trained collaborators to carry on Royal Copenhagen’s stoneware tradition. His matte crystaline glazes, inspired by those developed in the far east, were continued and perfected by fellow Royal Copenhagen artists Carl Halier, Axel Salto and Nils Thorsson. One of the most important and durable Royal Copenhagen stoneware artists inspired by the legacy of Patrick Nordström was Bode Willumsen (1895-1987). Son of the well-known painter J.F. Willumsen, Bode Willumsen initially dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps. But it was with ceramics that he was able to develop an original sense of artistic expression. From 1925 to 1930, he worked at Royal Copenhagen, after which he briefly worked at P. Ipsen Enke and his own workshop in partnership with the silversmith Hans Hansen. The outbreak of World War II and resultant material shortages forced him to return to employment at Royal Copenhagen from 1940 to 1950, where he collaborated with Axel Salto. Willumsen’s work at Royal Copenhagen is particularly characterized by the incorporation of sculptural details, often in the form of reliefs and small human and animal figures on lids and handles. This large ball form vase is Ian outstanding example of Bode Willumsen's stoneware output from his own workshop in the 1930s. The mythical figures decorating this vase are a forerunner of those commonly found on his work after he returned to Royal Copenhagen in 1939. The glaze on this vase is a soft, mottled light brown. This piece carries Willumsen's distinctive incised BW monogram. The dimensions of this robust vase are about 5 inches high and roughly 6 inches wide. This first quality piece is in excellent original condition, with no observed flaws. Please see the photos for further details on condition, glaze and decoration. All shipping is by USPS insured Priority mail, and great care will be taken with packing this piece. A flat rate shipping charge of $30 applies to this listing. Flat shipping rate applies only to U.S. buyers. International buyers will pay higher actual shipping costs and should inquire prior to bidding. About the seller: I have been collecting art pottery for more than 30 years. The bulk of my collection is Danish stoneware from the 1920s into the 1970s. The bulk of my Danish collection consists of Arne Bang, Saxbo, Jais Nielsen, Nils Thorsson, Erik Hjorth, and Ejvind Nielsen. I have done extensive research on these and other artists and workshops and would be happy to share that with interested buyers. I also have substantial collections of American, French, Belgian and other 20th century northern European art pottery. Over the coming months I will be listing a wide range of pieces from my collection. Please check out my other listings and add me to your list of saved sellers to receive notification of new listings.

Price: 350 USD

Location: Fort Collins, Colorado

End Time: 2024-09-08T15:01:07.000Z

Shipping Cost: 30 USD