This charming floral design in denim blue is from Rorstrand Sweden, and called “Karin”. It’s not a design Ive come across before, and I haven’t been able to find out any details about the design or its designer – but it appears to be from the 1960s.
From images I’ve found online, this repeat pattern seems to have only been made as a cup design – which was quite common practice for Rorstrand during this era.
There is a decorative plate with the same name by Jacqueline Lynd who was an important design at Rorstrand in the 1974 -1990 – but it is as yet unclear if there is any link…the denim blue colour and style has some similarities though.
This charming and now very nostalgic looking design is Midwinter "Nurseryware" c1955. Its designer, the incomparable Jessie Tait.
The design is now incredibly rare, and pieces from the series pop up very rarely, but I was fortunate to find a few pieces from the series recently in an auction lot of pottery oddments.
Jette Hellerøe: (b. 1940) Became a ceramist after studying at the Copenhagen school of fine arts in 1960. Her Father was Einer Hellerøe, and Jette worked at her father’s factory before, during and after completing her degree. At her Father’s pottery she also produced work under her own name.
Einer’s studio was called Haslev Keramik, founded in 1940, and was located in Haslev – a town in the southern part of Sjælland/Zealand.( The correct spelling of Einer’s name has been confirmed. It is often seen written as Einar, but Einer is the correct version)
Jette worked at Haslev Keramik until 1972, and then moved to Lønstrup (northern Jutland in Denmark) with her husband Flemming Schouboe where they set up their own pottery and shop. Flemming helped with the production, especially handling the firing processes and the glaze, but did not create work under his own name. This studio operated up until 2001.
Jette is also known for the work she produced for BR Keramik and Axella Keramik. BR stands for Brothers Rasmussen – a wholesaler of ceramics, who had a number of ceramicists produce work for them, and release it under the BR brand. See a photo of Jette in her studio on Arkiv.dk HERE
I have recently been able to solve a long running mystery about mid-century Danish Ceramics thanks to Jette’s granddaughter Sofie.
It is often been thought that Jette might have designed the now iconic “Amazonas” dinnerware for BR Keramik…but puzzlingly it was often signed EH – and has often been mis-attributed to Danish Potter, Eigil Hinrichsen – which I have always had doubts about.
I can confirm that Amazonas was in fact designed and made by Jette’s father Einer Hellerøe, (see a photo of Einer on Arkiv.dk HERE) around 1958, hence the EH cypher. The EH cypher Einer used is quite different to that of Eigil Hinrichsen (as well as the style of work) – but the mis-attribution seems to have spread widely. Further on I have some images of other works with Einar’s cypher for BR Keramik.
Amazonas Design, BR Keramik, Designer and Maker Einer Hellerøe. Photo Ray Garrod
One of Jette’s best known series of dinnerware designs in her own pottery is the “Parana” series:
Jette Hellerøe Denmark – from her “Parana” series. Photo Ray GarrodJette Helleroe Parana Series – Photo via CopenhagenBlack on EtsyJette Hellerøe for Axella Denmark , photo via DanishMood EtsyJette Hellerøe Denmark, Own Studio, Photo Ray Garrod
Among Jette’s most valued pieces now however are the lamps and lamp bases she produced for Axella.
Jette Helleroe Lamp Shade for Axella Denmark – Photo by DanishVintageDesigns Etsy.Jette Hellerøe for Axella Denmark. Photo via VintageDanishDesigns Etsy
Einer Hellerøe
Amazonas Design, BR Keramik, Design Einer HellerøeAmazonas Design, BR Keramik, Design Einer HellerøeAmazonas Design, BR Keramik, Design Einer Hellerøe
As well as the now iconic “Amazonas” series, Einer produced some other equally stunning designs for BR Keramik.
There was a sister to the Amazonas series with cane wrapped handles which is now much harder to find:
Einer Hellerøe BR Keramik – Photo via ebay.
And below, I came across these designs which also appear to be from Einer Hellerøe for BR Keramik (not Eigil Hinrichsen)
Einer Helleroe BR Keramik – From a series called “Mykene”Einer Helleroe BR KeramikEiner Hellerøe BR KeramikEiner Hellerøe BR Keramik
