Posts tagged ‘Baca’

Jun 30

Nils Thorsson, Royal Copenhagen Pattern 719

Design or Pattern number 719 by Nils Thorsson for Royal Copenhagen/Aluminia is one of the most recognised and popular designs from the BACA series in the 1960s.

The design is such a beautifully complex mixture of subtle colours, line patterns and textures – and the design contains elements which don’t reveal themselves immediately to the viewer.

On most pieces the design consists of outlined or framed elements joined together with lines and repeat patterns. Inside the framed components are designs of fish – sometimes a repeat pattern, sometimes a single fish.

Other elements appear to be floral – or perhaps they are seaweed or other aquatic flora. The more you study one of these pieces, the more the design reveals itself to you.

In addition to the design, the complex nature of the glazes which Nils developed for the BACA series, means that each piece turned out slightly different when fired in the kiln – adding to the “handmade” appearance of each piece.

Jun 28

Ellen Malmer, Royal Copenhagen Pattern 627

I recently discovered a design by Ellen Malmer for the BACA series at Royal Copenhagen I haven’t come across previously.

I have written about the designs by Ellen Malmer previously HERE, and the story of the BACA series HERE if you are unfamiliar with either.

This simple and bold pattern is number 627, and it is placed onto form 3587 – a wide flat bowl in this case.

I love the bold simplicity of this design, and the contrast of the white background, dark brown outline and orange peel texture of the caramel coloured main design. To me it appears to be a simplified design of apples or pears cut in half, and repeated around the form.

I haven’t been able to find any other forms where this pattern has been used, but if you know of any I would love to hear from you.

Apr 7

Royal Copenhagen Pattern 953 Ellen Malmer

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Ellen Malmer, Royal Copenhagen

Ellen Malmer, Royal Copenhagen 1965-1988

Ellen Malmer ( b1942 – ) is another of the great designers and artists who worked for Royal Copenhagen at the height of its popularity in the mid to late twentieth century. She was part of the group working with Nils Thorsson producing the now iconic Baca and Tenera series for Aluminia/Royal Copenhagen.

She trained at the Design School in Copenhagen and started with Royal Copenhagen as a designer in 1965 working there until 1988, primarily with Fajance ware. After leaving Royal Copenhagen she has worked in her own right as an Artist in the fields of textiles and collage/painting.

Each Designer who worked with fajance ware at Royal Copenhagen became known for their unique style of design, decoration, use of colour, and motifs – and the work of Ellen Malmer is no exception.

We often see only the most popular Baca and Tenera designs these days by Ellen due to their higher production, but they represent only a small range of her designs. I have tried to capture a wide cross section of her designs in the images below.

I really like the graphic and textural qualities of her designs, along with her subtle use of tone and colour. If I had to pick a favourite it would be the Nucella design dinnerware in blue. The shapes for this series were designed by Inge-Lise Kofoed and Leif Lautrup-Larsen, and the Pattern design by Ellen Malmer in 1966.