C20Ceramics

Oct 18

Lillerød Pottery, Denmark

Lillerød Pottery in Denmark had a long history from 1893 to 1995, but its history is not widely documented. Its story is an example of what I often come across when researching pottery – whereby one potter or pottery becomes well known and well documented, and others simply fade into history for no apparent reason other than coincidence.

Lillerød Lervarefabrik was established in 1893 by J.P.Hansen who built up a thriving pottery with a strong export business. In 1954 it was taken over by Einar Petersen who ran it until its final closure c1995. The output consisted mainly of domestic wares such as jugs, bowls, plates etc – hand painted with simple and attractive designs which reflected their time.

In the early history of the pottery there was an association with local artists, and an important but lesser known Potter and Artist Karl Schrøder is believed to have worked with Lillerød Pottery- or at least use it’s facilities around 1901, and you can read an interesting story about Karl Schrøder in the Allerød local history archives HERE

The youtube video below also gives a good idea of the style and range of work from the early 20th Century right up until its closure. The pottery re-openend briefly after its closure in 1995, but finally closed with a final exhibition in 2006 when this video was made.

Pottery with the stamp “Lillerød” was made from 1955, but before that date I haven’t found what mark, if any were made on the base.

The stoneware “Matenity” Jar in the first image is a traditional Danish form which in earlier times was used to take cooked food to Women who had recently given birth. The form has endured, and is still made by some potteries.

Lillerod Pottery Denmark, "Maternity" Jar

Lillerød Pottery Denmark, “Maternity” Jar

Ib Helge Denmark

Ib Helge (b1936 – ) is a potter and sculptor on the island of Pottery in Denmark – Bornholm. He was most active during the 1960s and 1970s, and as late as 2018 was still doing some work.

Ib studied at Joghus Pottery on Bornholm 1951-1956 after which he worked in several studios in the Scandinavian region. In 1966 he set up his own pottery just outside Hasle, Bornmholm – and was active there until the mid 1990s.

I rarely see his work for sale anywhere online, and the first image below is the only piece I have ever had by Ib Helge. It was a large jar – about 30cm tall, with lovely white glaze with iron flecks and nicely a nicely painted motif around the outside. The detailing of the lid and handles is what attracted my attention to the piece – as to me it showed the work of a maker with flair and a high level of skill.

In 2018 I was sent some photographs of the work of Ib Helge by his niece – and they give a good idea of the range of work he produced, some very sculptural and all beautifully textural.

I was also interested to find this striking granite sculpture by Ib, donated to the Arts & Crafts Association on Bornholm in 2013 – on a Flickr page HERE

Oct 10

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Den Permanente, Copenhagen

Den Permanente was a very important and relevant Danish Design & Craft store in Copenhagen which operated from the 1930s to the late 1980s. It is particularly relevant to this site as many of the Potters written about here exhibited and sold work at Den Permanente.

The idea for the store was that of Kay Bojesen, a Danish silversmith – but probably today best known for his wooden monkey design. It became a commercial reality when the idea was developed by Christian Grauballe, director of Holmegaard in 1931.

Den Permanente operated as a “Permanent Exhibition of Danish Arts” and promoted the very best in modern Danish design and craft. A large range of objects were sold including furniture, glassware, lighting, ceramics, jewellery and textiles.

Den Permanente, Copenhagen, Photographer J.C. Raulston 1972

Items for exhibition and/or sale were chosen after being assessed by a “Jury” and the managing board. There is a fascinating explanation of the process and more written in 1965 by its director Esbjorn Hoirt which can be read HERE

The store was important not only in Denmark for promoting Danish Design, but world wide. Den Permanente took part in several international exhibitions including the Milan Triennales of 1951-1960; a 1954-1957 exhibition in the U.S. called “Design in Scandinavia” ; “Formes Scandinaves” in Paris 1958; Neue Form aus Denmark Germany/Austria 1957; and “Arts of Denmark” in the U.S. 1960-61.

It is fascinating to be able to read old catalogues from Den Permanente, and the Royal Danish Library in its fascinating Digital Collections has several Den Permanente catalogues which are well worth looking through. Many of the Danish Ceramicists written about on this site have work in the Catalogues. It is fascinating to see works by people such as Bjorn Wiinblad, Ditlev, Helle Allpass, Palshus and many many more.

There don’t seem to be many photographs of the actual store online, but there are several in the archives of the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, United States, which is where the first 4 images are from.