Posts tagged ‘Figurines’

Sep 18

Maigonis Daga

Maigonis (Mike) Daga (1923-2001) was born in Latvia, and immigrated to Australia in 1948 as a refugee, where he attended the Adelaide School of Art studying sculpture. Often spelt Magonis by Americans.

From 1954-1964 he ran a successful commercial pottery studio in Adelaide, after which he re-located to Minneapolis in the U.S. opening a studio there around 1970. His sons continued to run the studio after his death until very recently. (The last record I can find of it operating is in 2008)

His earlier Australian work consisted of modernist, slip cast forms which this ewer style vase typifies, but he is more widely known in the U.S. for his sculptural animal forms on granite plinths. Some of these figurines have a modernist look to them, others a more traditional look.

His work is usually signed “Daga” to the base and most often numbered.

His Australian pieces are also very similar stylistically to those of Gunda Pottery made around the same time in Melbourne by fellow Latvian, Gundars Lusis.

It was in the U.S. where Daga really refined his style.

Maigonis Daga Modernist Vase

Maigonis Daga Cypher

Jun 23

Knud Basse

Knud Basse (1916-1991)

Knud Basse was a Dansish Ceramicist known for his very popular small figures of animals with finely processed matte or “haresfur” glazes.

He was associated with several makers including Michael Andersen & Sons, but his best work came from his workshop in Teglkas-Ronne (on the island of Bornholm Denmark) .

Knud also produced pieces for Danish pottery Palshus.

I have had some of the delightful figurines by Knud in the first few images below:

Knud Base Cypher

Recently I discovered a delightful small form , out of Knud Basse’s own studio on Bornholm, which has a thorn like design and a wonderfully coloured glaze:

Knud Basse Own Studio Vase

The “thorned” design above is similar to a very striking series of larger forms with thorns, which Knud created for Michael Andersen & Sons. These are highly valued, prized pieces to collectors. Read more

Apr 28

Tremar Cornwall - Teapot with Cane Handle

Tremar Pottery of Cornwall

Tremar Pottery Cornwall

Tremar Pottery is named after the village it was made in, situated in East Cornwall. It was started in the early 1960’s by Roger and Doreen Birkett, and sadly had closed by the early 1980’s like many other potteries of this period.

The style of Tremar Pottery pays tribute to Cornwall’s Celtic past, and it has an ancient looking or Celtic charm to it. Likewise – if you had to design pottery perfect for Bilbo Baggins and Hobbits I think this would be it!

Tremar Pottery is earthy, rustic and charming – but at the same time shows a high level of craftsmanship. Most pieces seem to have been slip cast, but have the appearance of being thrown by hand. The work is lovely to the touch, with very smooth, very matt glazes, and demonstrates knowledgable and confident use of pattern, colour, form and decoration.