Erratum: June Calcutt

Please note that June Calcutt has not been artistically or personally involved with Brian Calcutt. More pictures on June's pewter art to come soon. Thank you and apologies to June's family.

The next big thing in the Ceramic category: More on West German Pottery

 

There are a number of difficulties for collectors who are curious but not familiar with West German pottery. First, the wide range of pottery, depth in style and quality is overwhelming. Second, collectors have difficulties in finding information as many Germany pottery companies have closed down and archives have been destroyed. Here is however a summary of the information I have gathered on the topic.

Production from 1950 to 1970

West German pottery is notable for its innovative design and glaze. Companies such as Bay, Scheurish,  and Dumler & Breiden, Ermons & Sohne, Otto Ceramics, Jasba, Strehla, Ubelacker, Carsten Tonnieshof, Ceramano & Keto exemplify this point. To this list, one must add the older companies such as Rosenthal, Hutschenreuther, Karlsruhe and the studio potteries about which much more research is needed.  In total, more than 100 commercial companies were listed in the era 1949-90. The first period that concerns us here— the 1950s—is characterized by a large and interesting production. It is also a time of economic growth that sees the emergence of a fully consumer society in West Germany. The second period 60s-70s is also of particular interest as it sees a dramatic transformation in West German ceramic’s style.  The glazes are varied and original. Some forms as in Scheurish for instance, can be found in 50-100 different types (Moran, 2009). In her Collective Price Guide 2009, Judith Miller gives us some indication on the general trends in style from the 50s to the 70s to which I have added some personal observations.

The 1950s

Form/Pattern: Organic, curving, simple and also geometric.

Color: Primary

Style: If you have acquired a jug vase, note that in the 1950s, jug handles tended to be ‘strongly angled’ but took a ring form from the 1960s onward. An example of this can be seen in the evolution of notable pieces of this era such the organic jug (form 313) created in 1954 by Kurt Tschoerner for Ruscha.

                                                       Credit: Retrominded pottery & glass

The 1960s-1970s

Form/Pattern: Structured patterns of the 1950s give way to extraordinarily varied glazes: trailed, dripped or daubed. The example below is a volcanic fat lava by Otto keramik

Colors: Mainly primary colors but also many tamer designs in browns, beiges and single colors.

Style: Thick, crackling, bubbling, volcanic glazes, and fat lava.

                                                           Credit: Forrest D. Poston

And so what? Well as I wrote in my previous post, German pottery is said to be the next big thing in the ceramic category and a very affordable one. If you care to listen to the experts, collectible include the unusual fat lava of the 1960-70s, and more specifically the floor vases: the brighter the color, the better (see Miller, 2009). Perhaps, even as bright as the one that makes a lovely corpse in my cupboard ;) As far as I am concerned,  the expert who goes about with Fat Lava on his lips can be boiled with his own pudding.

This term has caught on with collectors on forums and elsewhere but is in fact misused. Fat lava is only a subcategory in West German pottery. D. Forrest Poston (2009) points to the specificity and confusion about the lava glazes in this article:http://www.suite101.com/content/fat-lava-glazes-a93362

Long before West German pottery became associated with the fat lava, stunning items were made with traditional glazes that are actually as beautiful and complex. The following is as example of German 50s style pitcher with gold over brown patch glaze detailing manufactured by Jasba (Modcats.com: $65).

                                                                Credit: Modcats.com

Finally, within this era there are also unusual plates and plaques, particularly in the 1950-60s. Whether they are becoming desirable or not, I do not know. But one of the largest producers of the time was Ruscha, who made also enamelled decoration in the 40s-50s. And if you like the Oriental, Cubbist, or Art Deco style Ruscha is a better word than lava for the lips.

West Germany Ceramics

Antiques of the future

Collectible West Germany ceramics from mid century, we are told, are undoubtedly around us right now. Items to look for include Bay, Scheurich, Ruscha, Jopeko and Sgrafo (see Hogben, 2009). Since we' re talking Modern West Germany, we are  advised to buy ceramics that represent this era, that is pieces that are appreciated for their bright colors, unusual shapes and patterns. The basic rule is  to buy something you like. It seems obvious but bear in mind that some pieces can be impressive at first. I got caught up in the excitement of a sale last month and forgot my common sense. The large lava vase I bought wandered in every room of our apartment until it ended in the cupboard where I  think it truly belong, at least until next Christmas when one of my lucky friend will inherit it. Should you develop an  urge to collect these items,  prices are still on the low side. Many interesting items can be bought on Ebay from $15 to $150. Some pieces pop up in Australias' op shops, I see them regularly in the Melbourne area. One last thing, if you are unsure about what you bought, a good web site to identify West Germany pottery is: http://www.ginforsodditiques.com/wgermanmarks.html

Mystery Table Lamp

Yesterday's purchase also in a Melbourne op shop, this (mid-century?) Italian table lamp. It is about 1 meter high, entirely made of ceramic and rather nicely detailed. 

Research on the chinoiserie style and the Italian origin of this lamp, have lead me to the great designer Marcello Fontani although neither the quality , nor the signature match his  work. 

It could have been manufactured by C&B which later became B&B, (the famous Cassina & Busnelli designers), but I cannot confirm this information as yet. If you pop by through a forum where I have posted this piece, feel free to add your comments below. Meanwhile, I will keep on posting more interesting objects late at night as always, and from now on under the warm glow of this lamp.

Say 'Cheese'

Last week's finding in a Melbourne op shop: an Hadeland cheese plate.There is a lot to be said about this piece but perhaps the pictures attached to the link below speak for themselves. Lee Grover (1975) notes that the 'unique character and style of Hadeland's glass is due in no small degree to the fact that Hadeland was one of the first industrial concerns in Norway to employ people for their artistic talent'. This particular piece was designed by one of the most influential Norwegian artist of the 70s: Benny Motzfeldt.

http://www.trocadero.com/accents/items/795221/en1.html

A pet cricket and his container made of a gourd. Watercolor by Qi Baishi (1864–1957).

Chinese Cricket Culture

One of the greatest enjoyments about this blog, besides sharing my daily findings with you, is continuously acquiring new insights about culture and history. About six month ago, I came across this cricket box. and another one. I guess I have started another collection. Whether this box comes from China or not, has been the object of a discussion over the counter of our local dairy with our Chinese friends.  

 

More interesting is the relation of the Chinese to the crickets. To these days, it seems that Chinese nomenclature about insects, particularly crickets, is richer and more colorful than in any other languages. Our friends mentioned numerous poetic names for the various varieties of cricket species found in China. Since the Neolithic period, while most of us were mainly interested in large mammals, birds and fishes the Chinese were interested in...insects. 

Their love for crickets spans a 2000 year history of both singing and fighting (referred to as “Qiuxing” or “Dou Cuzhi”)…People have kept crickets in cages such as this one, enjoying their singing since 618 A.D and cricket fighting has been a popular sport since 960 A.D. Just in Beijing, there are nearly 100, 000 fans, a thousand of which are actually registered in the Cricket Committee. If you are keen to enter the next contest, you can borrow my box ;) This year the contest will be held in Beijing at the end of October. About 400 cricket fans are expected to this contest, and as every year, the winner of the championship will become “King of Cricket”:..Think about it,  it could be you ;)

Pewter by June Calcutt: Melbourne Australia

Being a sociologist with a great interest in material culture, craft and design, but little cash to spare, I am grateful for Melbourne trendy (or not) op shops. Here I have recently discovered pewter art. The first piece I have found, pictured on the right,  is by an Australian woman called June Calcutt. June worked in Melbourne along with Brian Calcutt back in the 1960s. The other pieces, also by the same artist,  turned up subsequently.  I felt then 'compelled' to add more pewter to this collection with this top Pocket Flask by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (eBay). 

Since then I have been researching modern pewter art in Melbourne and elsewhere. Little is said about June  (feel free to contact me if you have any information) but this is how I came across the work of Max Lamb which I would like to share with you today.