C20Ceramics

Dec 28

Ditlev Denmark

Henrik Ditlev Larsen, Denmark

Henrik Ditlev Larsen worked as a wheel thrower at Lars Syberg Pottery in Denmark in the 1940s and 1950s during its heyday. He simply went by the name of Ditlev.

He worked alongside Bjorn Wiinblad who was just starting his career also around this time. Wiinblad was allowed to produce some of his own work at Syberg, and Ditlev threw pieces for Bjorn Wiinblad, who then decorated them.

Ditlev went on to start his own pottery in Lyngby, Denmark in 1956 – and later went to work with Bjorn Wiinblad again, when Wiinblad purchased Nymolle pottery around 1976.

The work that you come across from Ditlev’s own studio are always elegant and simple, and at the same time very precisely made. If you find pieces with handles by Ditlev they are usually thrown pieces attached to the clay body, and they show his high level of his skill as a thrower, as do his perfectly formed flat plates.

Ditlev Denmark, Stoneware Teapot — DitlevDenmark, Stoneware Teapot – Via Modapple on Etsy (sold)

Im always drawn to his glazes as well – often speckled as can be seen in the pictured examples, and never boring in colour. Most pottery I have come across by Ditlev is of a utilitarian nature and very high fired, tough stoneware.

Most pieces have rich, deeply coloured glazes and are made from a very dark brown clay that looks like chocolate!

Pieces of Ditlev pottery are either hand signed with a bold “Ditlev” cypher, or have a small round stamp “Ditlev Denmark”

Dec 27

Helle Allpass Denmark

Helle Allpass, Denmark, (1932 – 2000).

Work by accomplished potters always stands out from the rest. The flat turned piece pictured below I had for several years before I discovered its maker, went on to find out more about her story, and then discovered the lovely bowl by Helle also pictured below.

Helle Allpass trained as an architect initially, but followed a family tradition of pottery soon after. Her father was Christian Schollert, of Schollert Keramik, and her Grandfather Christian Johansen from Korsør.

Helle started her own studio in 1964 just north of Copenhagen, which became very successful and included her founding of the North Zealand Ceramics association. She lived and worked here for the rest of her life, but sadly suffered from Parkinsons disease from around 1996.

Helle’s is best known for her large, sculptural, architectural and garden pieces – often featuring her signature cobalt blue glaze. She also used a reddish iron rich flecked glaze quite often. You can also find smaller studio wheel-thrown pieces though like the ones pictured here from time to time. Many of the sculptural pieces were made from wheel thrown pieces, combined to make very tall forms.

Her daughter Ane Schollert worked alongside Helle during her last years, and Ane has continuation a family tradition and still works as a potter in Copenhagen. Aneschollert.dk