Michael Andersen | C20Ceramics

Jul 25

Michael Andersen & Sons Denmark, Negro Series – Colour Variations

In addition to the strikingly bold, black and white designs there appear to be many variations of the series. Sometimes on the same forms, sometimes completely different forms.

Because there doesn’t seem to be much documentation about this series of designs – It is hard to know sometimes if pieces were designed as part of the Negro series, or simply colour variations added later due to its popularity which has continued to this day.

The red ochre, black and white variations seem to be more plentiful, but the turquoise and black designs very hard to find these days. The honey coloured and brown variations seem to be the hardest of all to locate.

Large Negro Series Centrepiece Bowl, Black Red Ochre and White, MAS Denmark, photo Ray Garrod

MAS Negro Series, Red Turquoise and Black Vase – Photo Ray Garrod

Michael Andersen Negro Series with Red Ochre — MAS Negro Series, Red Ochre Black and White Design, Photo from Henrik, Denmark

Michael Andersen Denmark, Group of Marianne Starck Designs Including Negro and some of its variations, plus other designs with similar tribal style designs from the same era by Marianne. Photo from Henrik, Denmark.

Michael Andersen Denmark - Marianne Starck Design — MAS Negro Series, Turquoise and Black Variation, Photo from Henrik, Denmark

In this image from the collection of Alan in the USA you can see 2 striking red ochre, black and white forms sitting with some of the stunning black and white forms.

Jul 12

Michael Andersen "Negro" Series, Marianne Starck

Michael Andersen & Sons Negro Series Variations

The "Negro Series" sometimes referred to as the "Tribal" series was designed by Marianne Starck in the 1950s for Michael Andersen & Sons on the island of Bornholm, Denmark.

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:

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:

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.