From the earliest human civilizations, ceramics have been one of the most important signifiers of mankind's ingenuity and aesthetics. Indeed, shards of pottery—sometimes painted, sometimes carved—are amongst the most illuminating remnants of an ancient culture. Pottery was used both functionally and decoratively. It was used to hold liquids: water, wine, oil. It could be used to store foodstuffs: olives, spices, salt. And it could be used ceremonially: in religious or funerary rituals. But ceramics also have been made for strictly aesthetic reasons. And the finest works—wherever in the world they were made—were highly coveted by those who could afford them: monarchs, warlords, industrialists.
At LEO Design, we love Arts & Crafts pottery. But we don't let academic snobbery blind us from noticing beautiful pieces from other places and times. With this in mind, we have built a nice collection of Modernist pieces—from the Thirties through the Seventies (which, shockingly, was half a century ago).
The vase, shown above, was made in Ransbach-Baumbach, West Germany, in the Sixties or Seventies by Üebelacker. The company had been founded by Johann Üebelaker in 1909 to produce cast pewter and tin products. Johann expanded into ceramics-making in the Thirties, however, this development was stifled during World War II. But Üebelacker was up-and-running by the Fifties, at which point the company employed 550 people. Üebelacker (which was also known commercially as "Ü-Keramik") actively pursued the Modernist aesthetic, especially the new, heavily-textured "volcanic" glazes which became so popular in the post-war era.
This vase is glazed with a deep, pearly sky blue, punctuated with slashes of gunmetal. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome piece.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.