Posts tagged ‘Tenera’

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.

May 26

Royal Copenhagen “Annette”

Royal Copenhagen Annette

This stunning and now quite rare pattern was designed by Berte Jessen in the 1960’s for Aluminia//Royal Copenhagen. It is a hard design to find, and if you are a lover of mid 20th Century design, well worth grabbing hold of if you come across it.

It has to be one of the most beautiful designs I have come across by Berte. It consists of a simple daisy motif medallion either by itself or repeated around the form. The blue glaze is wonderfully textured and has blue hues which vary from aquamarine to a deep cobalt blue with an overall hint of violet. I love the texture and depth of colour she manages to get in her designs, combined with preciseness and flair.

The pattern is called “Annette” and each piece has slight variations in colour and texture, accentuating the handmade feel of the wares.

It is so beautiful to the touch as well. It is from the very important “Tenera” series I have written about previously.

Royal Copenhagen Annette Tea Cup, Saucer, Plate

Royal Copenhagen Annette (plate)

Royal Copenhagen Annette (saucer)

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.