C20Ceramics

Sep 24

Anne Marie Trolle – Royal Copenhagen

Anne Marie Trolle, Royal Copenhagen

Anne Marie Trolle (b1944- ) was one of the designers under the direction of Nils Thorsson in the group who created the now iconic Baca and Tenera series.

She also produced some very impressive designs for Royal Copenhagen in the 1970s and 1980s.

2 of Anne Marie’s designs which really stand out from the crowd to me are “Floreana” and “Indigo”.

My favourite is the Tea Caddy, from the Floreana series in 1982.

Royal Copenhagen Floreana Tea Caddy

Part of a series of repeated shapes produced in a choice of patterns based on leaves and spotted fruits. Trolle recorded that this was inspired by a study trip to the Galapagos Islands, the decoration – and to some extent the shapes – reflect Danish artists’ traditional and instinctive response to oriental influences.
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O168193/floreana-tea-caddy-and-trolle-anne-marie

But it is hard to go past “Indigo” for its clean Scandinavian forms and striking deep cobalt blue graphics. It was designed in 1975 by Anne Marie and was in production until 1985. Read more

Sep 21

Bertoncello, Italy

Bertoncello Italy

Bertoncello Ceramiche was founded in Schiavon, Vicenza, Italy c1956.

For many years it was run solely by a Mr. Lini and Giovanni Bertoncello (1930-2011), but by the 1970s had a staff of around 30.

Giovanni was the creative force behind the forms and glazes, supported later by a Mr. Boatto – a Venetian teacher.

Sadly not a lot is known about the company because all its catalogues and archives were destroyed when the company closed in 1999. Fortunately due to its popularity and volume made, it is still relatively easy to get hold of.

The forms of Bertoncello pottery are often very sculptural and geometric and look like smaller studies or maquettes for massive modernist sculptures that are yet to be built. This sculptural appearance of many pieces was enhanced by the use of feet which subtly raise the piece off the surface on which it sits.

Bertoncello Italy

Other types of pottery such as homewares, figurines and novelty items were made, often in bright colours such as red or orange – but it is the sculptural modernist looking vase forms which Bertoncello has become best known for. Read more

Sep 19

Richard Manz, Denmark

Richard Manz (1933-1999), husband of Danish ceramicist icon Bodil Manz.

In earlier years Richard worked in Sweden, and even at Gustavsberg for a time. He also studied under Peter Voulkos at Berkeley University of California with his wife Bodil in the late 1960s.

In 1967 he started a studio with his wife Bodil in Starreklinte, Odsherred. They produced several joint works including murals and large sculptural pieces in addition to developing their individual styles. During this period Richard also produced work for Knabstrup pottery in Denmark.

In the mid 1970s they both lived in the town of Arita, Japan for a while – learning the skill of working with very fine translucent porcelain.

The first piece below is one I bought at auction some time ago. I think demonstrates Richard’s mastery of the cylindrical form, for which he (and Bodil) have become so well known for.

While it is a stoneware piece, it is beautifully thin and fine and has been fired to the upper limit for stoneware (around 1300c) making it very hard (and giving it a beautiful sound if you “ping” it) .

The piece displays an obvious mastery of form and the beautifully controlled textures and glazes. I am guessing it would be from the early 1970s.