Tag Archives: porcelain

Bouke de Vries

Bouke de Vries -“Fractured Images”, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery Ltd., 533 Old York Road, London SW18, 8th June – 15th July 2017 

 

Grown from Chinese clay, 2017
18th century Chinese porcelain fragments and mixed media
150x120x580

I believe that we owe a great debt of gratitude to Bouke de Vries for his belief, which reflects that held in China and Japan, that broken important ceramic pieces are worthy of repair. He has said “I wanted to give these objects, which are regarded as valueless, a new story and move their history forwards. A broken object can still be as beautiful as a perfect object.” It is a great philosophy and thanks to his artistic imagination and great skill – he is a ceramics conservator – he has created some wonderful pieces.

Map of china of China, 2017
18th and 19th century Chinese porcelain fragments and mixed media
11220×960 mm

This show of works reflect the enduring role of China in the production of ceramics worldwide over the centuries. His works are thought-provoking, sometimes humorous, but always engrossing. He has specially created a new non-ceramic work for the exhibition – a plaster doll of a Chinese dancer which combines the old with the new through his use of computer circuit boards.

Jar carrier, 2017
Han dynasty figure and 15th century Chinese porcelain marine archaeology jars and marble
250x250x109 mm

 

www.kristinhjellegjerde.com

 

 

PS: You can also see:
Bouke De Vries: War and pieces, Berrington Hall, Herefordshire
Until 05 November 2017

 

Ceramic temptations!

Ceramic Art London 2017, Central Saint Martins, Granary Square, Kings Cross, London N1, 31st March – 2nd April 2017

Midori Takaki
The land of Archaeopteryx, 2016
Hand-built, stoneware, underglaze, slip and glaze
Dimensions: 18.0cm W, 17.0 H, 5.0 D

As someone who likes ceramics I find it both encouraging and exciting that contemporary ceramics are becoming more eagerly collected and appreciated.  Now in its thirteenth year this year’s fair has ninety participants offering a wide variety of pieces.

Sophie Southgate
Spectrum Series
Group of 15 pieces
Dimensions: 1m x 1m x 1m

The natural world – whether rural or urban in nature – provides the inspiration for many of the artists.  Be warned though as I am sure many of you will be tempted to purchase a work whether a practical item such as a delightful teacup or something intensely sculptural. With prices from £25 upwards there are choices to suit all pockets.

Nichola Theakston
Beyond Him no.6
Coil built construction in Black stoneware and terracotta paperclay.
Applied slips.
Dimensions: 53 x 53cm

http://www.ceramicartlondon.com/

BOOK REVIEW: British Ceramics 1675-1825

British Ceramics 1675-1825 The Mint Museum

Brian Gallagher, Barbara Stone Perry, Letitia Roberts, Diana Edwards, Pat Halfpenny, Maurice Hillis, Margaret Ferris Zimmerman.

Published by GILES in association with the Mint Museum
UK£49.95 / US$79.95
ISBN — 978-1-907804-36-6

9781907804366

We are fortunate that the accompanying exhibition at the Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina brings us this very fine and informative tome because it celebrates some two hundred objects from the more than two thousand British ceramic pieces in the Museum.  It really is a fine collection encompassing the majority of the 18th century British factories who produced ceramics in salt-glazed stoneware, lead-glazed earthenware, creamware, soft-paste and hard paste porcelains.

Longton Hall Covered Potpourri Vase, circa 1754-1757

Longton Hall
Covered Potpourri Vase, circa 1754-1757

The selected pieces are notable for their craftsmanship, quality and, in some cases, their distinguished provenance. Every piece is illustrated in colour and fully catalogued, giving us a fascinating insight into the production and decorating techniques that created these examples as well as their history.

New Hall Cup and Saucer, circa 1785-1790 Decorated by Fidelle Duvivier

New Hall
Cup and Saucer, circa 1785-1790
Decorated by Fidelle Duvivier

So whether you are a collector, scholar or lover of social history I can certainly say this a book that you will find both enjoyable and useful – just like many of the objects it focuses on!

John and Richard Riley Bust of Charlotte Augusta, Princess of Wales, 1819

John and Richard Riley
Bust of Charlotte Augusta, Princess of Wales, 1819

Tea Wares, circa 1760-1770

Tea Wares, circa 1760-1770

www.gilesltd.com

http://www.mintmuseum.org

Botanical Ceramics

Claire Potter – ‘Botanical Ceramics, Mallett, Ely House, 37 Dover Street, London, until 27th November 2015

 

PurpleCabbage

PurpleCabbage

London is very fortunate to be able to enjoy this first solo exhibition of work by Clare Potter.  She is a New York-based ceramicist whose love of flowers and things botanical led her, untrained, to start creating these marvellous pieces in colour-washed biscuit porcelain.  Be warned and get in there quickly for her New York shows are usually a sell-out.

Peonies

Peonies

 

Lemons

Lemons

 

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

 

 

 

http://www.mallettantiques.com

A Ceramic Feast

Selling Exhibition: Private Collections and Noteworthy Acquisitions, Stockspring Antiques, 114 Kensington Church St, London W8, 16th – 21st November 2015

A Pair of Vauxhall Vases decorated by James Giles c. 1764-68

A Pair of Vauxhall Vases decorated by James Giles
c. 1764-68

One can understand why collectors eagerly await this annual selling exhibition of English, Continental and Oriental porcelain for there is always much to tempt them. This year delivers some great pieces of which I show a few.

A Mennecy Owl c. 1750-55

A Mennecy Owl
c. 1750-55

The opening words of the catalogue’s foreword offer a useful reminder as to why some of us collect: Collecting ceramics gives us intriguing windows into the past with each piece resonating with the life, times, hopes and aspirations of its original owner.

A Lefebvre Paris Portrait Plaque of Princess Charlotte c. 1818

A Lefebvre Paris Portrait Plaque of Princess Charlotte
c. 1818

 

A Chinese Ko-sometsuke Dish for the Japanese Market Tianqui, c. 1621-7

A Chinese Ko-sometsuke Dish for the Japanese Market
Tianqui, c. 1621-7

 

A Liverpool Delftware Charger after a Chinese Kangxi design c. 1760

A Liverpool Delftware Charger after a Chinese Kangxi design
c. 1760

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Derby Figure of Andromache Weeping over the Ashes of Hector c. 1780-85

A Derby Figure of Andromache Weeping over the Ashes of Hector
c. 1780-85

http://www.antique-porcelain.co.uk

Song Ceramics

Chinese Ceramics of the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279 AD), Eskenazi Ltd, 10 Clifford Street, London W1, 8th – 29th May 2015,

Blue-glazed Splashed Stoneware Dish Jin period, 12th - 13th century Jun kilns, Henan province Diameter: 18.5cm

Blue-glazed Splashed Stoneware Dish
Jin period, 12th – 13th century
Jun kilns, Henan province
Diameter: 18.5cm

These thirty very special ceramics which make up this selling exhibition come from an important private collection.

Glazed Porcellaneous Stoneware Moulded ‘Dragon’ Dish Northern Song - Jin period, 12th - 13th century Ding kilns, Hebei province Diameter: 23.1cm

Glazed Porcellaneous Stoneware Moulded ‘Dragon’ Dish
Northern Song – Jin period, 12th – 13th century
Ding kilns, Hebei province
Diameter: 23.1cm

Considered a golden age, China under the Song dynasty was prosperous and a place of change and invention whether social, economic or “scientific”. For the latter think printed bank notes, the use of gunpowder and, as this exhibition so ably proves, ceramic design and techniques.

Green-grey-glazed Stoneware Dish Southern Song period, 12th - 13th century Guan ware, Hangzhou kilns, Zhejiang province Diameter: 13.0cm

Green-grey-glazed Stoneware Dish
Southern Song period, 12th – 13th century
Guan ware, Hangzhou kilns, Zhejiang province
Diameter: 13.0cm

Song ceramics have had a lasting impact on the world of ceramics and been held in high esteem ever since they were first produced. By the 15th century they were being copied in China and their influence can be traced in Art and Studio pottery movements of the West until this day.

Black-glazed Stoneware ‘Leaf’ Bowl - side view Southern Song period, 12th - 13th century Jizhou ware, Jiangxi province Diameter: 15.2cm

Black-glazed Stoneware ‘Leaf’ Bowl – side view
Southern Song period, 12th – 13th century
Jizhou ware, Jiangxi province
Diameter: 15.2cm

Works from both the Northern Song (960-1127 AD) and Southern Song (1127-1279 AD) periods are included. As one might expect these serene objects have been garnered from the collections of some of the great Western Twentieth century collections, including Mr & Mrs Alfred Clark, Alfred Schoenlicht, Johannes Hellner and Lord Cunliffe.

Black-glazed Stoneware ‘Leaf’ Bowl Southern Song period, 12th - 13th century Jizhou ware, Jiangxi province Diameter: 15.2cm

Black-glazed Stoneware ‘Leaf’ Bowl
Southern Song period, 12th – 13th century
Jizhou ware, Jiangxi province
Diameter: 15.2cm

http://www.eskenazi.co.uk

A Disappointment at Kedleston Hall

Reflections on a Derby porcelain exhibition at Kedleston Hall

Kedleston Hall National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra.

Kedleston Hall
National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra.

The idea of having an exhibition of Derby porcelain at Kedleston Hall, just outside Derby, is an appealing one. The original aim was to combine Derby porcelain from Kedleston with fine examples of the factory held by other National Trust properties. Sadly, things have appeared not to go to plan as at least ten National Trust houses with relevant pieces failed to respond adequately or at all.

It was therefore fortunate that this show had the support of Royal Crown Derby, who have generously loaned the Kedleston Vase (c 1790) back to the house it was made for, and the Derby Porcelain International Society, for two members of the latter have loaned pieces from their own collections to make up for the shortfall of National Trust items.

The Kedleston Vase on display in the exhibition National Trust Images/Maggie Tillson

The Kedleston Vase on display in the exhibition
National Trust Images/Maggie Tillson

There is no doubt that what is there on show is of some interest and appeal but it is sad to think that more of the Trust’s own Derby treasures were not forthcoming and I think that serious questions need to be asked within the organisation as to why.

The press release I received said “Kedleston plates up Derby porcelain exhibition”, and some wag may now possibly be tempted to ask “has the National Trust gone to pot?” I must add that having been a keen National Trust visitor over the years and having the pleasure of writing about them that I feel somewhat disappointed and let down.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kedleston

http://www.royalcrownderby.co.uk/visiting

http://www.derbyporcelain.org.uk