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Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Austrian, 1871-1954

As both a designer and a teacher, the Austrian ceramicist and glassware designer Michael Powolny was an important figure in the development of modernist aesthetics in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century. His romantic sculptural pottery figures embrace the lush, dynamic stylings of Gustav Klimt and other progressive artists, while his functional pieces — such as glass bowls and vases — employ the simple linear and geometric ornamentation that marked the work of Josef Hoffmann and other members of the Wiener Werkstätte community of designers and craftsmen.

     Powolny received classical training in ceramics from his father, a potter, and at the Vienna School of Applied Arts, but later joined in the modernizing movement in the Austrian arts at the close of the 19th century. In 1897, Klimt, Hoffman, Koloman Moser and other artists and architects founded the Vienna Secession, a group that fought for freedom of expression against the city’s tradition-bound arts establishment. Powolny’s work reflects the changing times. He used classical figures in his ceramics — female nudes, cherubs — yet would dress them in modern ornament such as garlands of abstract, geometric flowers. Pieces from Powolny’s ceramics company were sold through the Wiener Werkstätte (Viennese Workshops) founded by Hoffmann and Moser, and Hoffman later hired Powolny to create ceramic ornamentation for his architectural masterpiece, the Palais Stoclet in Brussels.

     Powolny would go on to design glassware that combines elegant, tapering forms with precise linear decoration. His most influential work may have come as a professor at the School of Applied Arts, where he taught both Lucie Rie, the great Austrian-British modernist ceramicist, and the American potter Viktor Schreckengost, creator of the “Jazz Bowl,” an icon of the Streamline Moderne design. As you will see from the items on offer, Michael Powolny’s works have a double appeal: in their sprightly, endearing forms and as artifacts that document a period of signal change in the history of modern arts and crafts.

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Creator: Michael Powolny
Original and Unique Ceramic Fountain by Otto Prutscher and Michael Powolny, 1914
By Michael Powolny, Wiener Keramik Werkstätte, Otto Prutscher
Located in Vienna, AT
Executed by Michael Powolny for the Wienerberger Keramikwerkstätten, ceramic and stoneware, ochre colored, body holding a dish in her outstretched arms standing above a three-tired C...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Bohemian Loetz Red Tango Glass Vase w. Black Accents by Michael Powolny
By Loetz Glass, Michael Powolny
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique Art Nouveau art glass vase by Michael Powolny for Loetz is an impressive and highly sought-after art piece from the early 20th cen...
Category

1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Art Nouveau designer Michael Powolny for Loetz Witwe glass bowl around 1910s
By Johann Lötz Witwe, Michael Powolny
Located in Saarburg, RP
Art Nouveau designer Michael Powolny for Loetz Witwe glass bowl, 1910s The beautiful small glass bowl by Michale Powolny is in good condition. This item is an original from his time...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Loetz Bohemiam Cream Large Vase by Michael Powolny, 1920s
By Michael Powolny
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Loetz Bohemian vase crafted by Michael Powolny during the 1920s. This piece from the early 20th century showcases an exceptional size uncommon for Powolny. Adorned in a cream hue, ac...
Category

1920s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

'Spring', Putto With Flowers, by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1910-1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent and rare Art Nouveau ceramic piece from a series of the four seasons: Naked putto in a wide striding position, his blond head tilted to the left and holding a cascade of fl...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

'Autumn', Putto With Grapes, by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1913-1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent and rare Art Nouveau ceramic piece from a series of the four seasons: Naked putto in a wide striding position, his blond head tilted to the right and holding a cascade of ...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic 'Autumn' Putto by Michael Powolny for Gmundner Keramische Werkstatte
By Michael Powolny
Located in Brisbane, QLD
A large and rare ceramic monochromatic putto holding grapes (Autumn from "The Four Seasons") by Austrian designer Michael Powolny for Gmundner Keramische Werkstatte. First designed b...
Category

1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Crystal Vase Jugendstil Austria circa 1918 Michael Powolny Loetz for Lobmeyr
By Michael Powolny, Loetz Glass
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
This elegant object of the Loetz glassworks was produced immediately after the First World War, in the years 1918- 1919. Although stylistic as well as technical recourse to past tech...
Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

An Assembled Pair of Putti Candle Holders by Michael Powolny
By Michael Powolny
Located in Brisbane, QLD
A pair of Vienna Secession ceramic candle holders in the form of putti holding flowers by Michael Powolny for Weiner Keramik in his signature stark black and white, circa 1907. These...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Michael Powolny VWGK Vienna Candlestick Made, circa 1907
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant candlestick for holding one candle Modelled by Michael Powolny (1871-1954), circa 1907 Hallmarked: Manufactured by Wiener Keramik and Gmundner Keramik (union Of Vienna Ceramics & Gmunden Ceramics - VWGK / Hallmarked) Material is Ceramics (glossy finish / multicolored painted). Model Number 142 Made circa 1913 Subject: The cream white candlestick is decorated with horizontal lines attached to surface. The Grommet is surrounded/encircled by A Wreath Of Flowers' blossoms. Height: 8.0 cm (= 3.14 inches) Diameter: 8.0 cm (= 3.14 inches) Bibliography: Waltraud Neuwirth, Markenlexikon fu¨r Kunstgewerbe (3), Wiener Keramik / Modelle 1906-13; page 122 Experts of Fine Arts assess Michael Powolny's work nowadays as result of activity of one the most important ceramics...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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Previously Available Items
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'Summer', Putto With Cornucopia, by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1913-1919
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'Winter', Putto With Flower Wreath, Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1910-1912
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Loetz Art Nouveau Tango Vase, Execution 157 Opal-Black-Brown, Vienna ca 1914
By Loetz Glass, Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Model blown body, curved, stepped, widening wall, connected to a flat, round base by a fused black nodus, mouth rim with wavy black outline, 16 red-brown threads vertically worked into the top layer, ground flat base ring, no pontil. The Loetz factory came into contact with the Viennese arts and crafts...
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1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Ceramic Writing Set 'Till Eulenspiegel' by Michael Powolny, Austria, 1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Till Eulenspiegel in a brown-red jester's costume with bells, sitting with outstretched legs on a rectangular flat base plate, an owl between his feet and a low, four-sided inkwell w...
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1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

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Ceramic

Ceramic Inkwell With Putti by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1910-1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate Art Nouveau ceramic piece: Cylindrical vessel with an openwork relief of running putti, in between colourfully glazed flower bouquets and golden cornucopias with blossoms, t...
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Art Nouveau Ceramic Centerpiece With Three Putti by Michael Powolny Vienna, 1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Three standing nude putti with floral decorations and yellow draperies carrying a shallow round bowl. Without base. By Michael Powolny (1871 - 1954) Nowadays, art experts attest Mic...
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Michael Powolny Ceramic Pottery Sculpture, Large Putto "Spring" Winer Keramik
By Michael Powolny, Wiener Keramik Werkstätte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful, ceramic / pottery Putto. "Figure of Spring" designed by Michael Powolny 1871-1954, made by Wiener Ceramic, marked with MP and WK as shown in picture. This is one of the la...
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Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Four Seasonal Crinoline Figurines by Michael Powolny, Viennese Ceramics, c. 1910
By Viennese Manufactory, Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Four pedestal-less crinoline figures with seasonal attributes: Spring: in a floor-length dress with a long scarf and poke bonnet, her head turned to the right to the pigeon sitting on her right arm, in her left hand hanging down a small wreath of flowers. Model number: denotes 225 - error, correct: 223 Summer: in a dress with a large neckline, with a scarf around the waist, the head with the hair loosely tied backwards turned to the left, a broad-brimmed hat decorated with flowers hanging down from the left arm and holding a bouquet with ears of corn in front of her. Model number: 224 Autumn: in a floor-length, checked dress with a light coat and a blue bow around her neck, her head with the pinned up, blond hair tilted to the left, holding green foliage with autumn fruits in her hands. Model number: 225 Winter: with a long, ermine-trimmed coat and scarf, on her blond hair a hat with plumes, her head tilted slightly to the left and both hands buried in front of her in the large muff on which the presents are piled up. Model number: 226 By Michael Powolny (1871 - 1954) Nowadays, art experts attest Michael Powolny’s work as the work of one of the most important ceramic artists and designers of Austrian Art Nouveau. Powolny's companions and successors were significantly influenced by him, since he had left behind a work that was extremely important for Viennese ceramic art. Powolny's putti - many of them made on behalf of Wiener Keramik (WK) - are sought after by knowledgeable Art Nouveau collectors, both because of their modeling quality and because of the endearing and distinctive appearance. Manufactured by 'Wiener Keramik' (Viennese Ceramics) ceramics, bright earthenware, glossy finish, multicolored hand-painting designed ca. 1910, made circa 1910-1912 Marks: WK+grapes - Wiener Keramik /= Viennese Ceramics MP - signet for Michael Powolny Dimensions: height: ca 30.0 cm / 11.81 in width: ca 20.0 cm / 7.87 in depth: ca 18.0 cm / 7.08 in Bibliography: - Thomas Arlt / Arthur Weilinger, WIENER KERAMIK / VIENNA CERAMICS Bertold Löffler...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Powolny Loetz Blue Piped Opaline Glass Vase
By Michael Powolny
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Loetz opaline art glass vase of tall rounded shape applied with blue glass threads and piping around the rim designed by Michael Powo...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Art Nouveau Ceramic Figure 'Snail Rider' by Michael Powolny, Vienna, 1913-1917
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Naked boy with blond curls riding on a black snail with a brown house, in his left hand holding the reins made of a garland of flowers. By Michael Powolny (1871-1954) Nowadays, art experts attest Michael Powolny’s work as the work of one of the most important ceramic artists and designers of Austrian Art Nouveau. Powolny's companions and successors were significantly influenced by him, since he had left behind a work that was extremely important for Viennese ceramic art. Powolny's putti - many of them made on behalf of Wiener Keramik (WK) - are sought after by knowledgeable Art Nouveau collectors, both because of their modeling quality and because of the endearing and distinctive appearance. Manufactured by United Vienna and Gmunden Ceramics ceramics, bright earthenware, glossy finish, multicolored hand-painting designed 1907, made circa 1913-1917 Marks: WK+grapes - Wiener Keramik /= Vienna Ceramics GK+flower - Gmundner Keramik /= Gmunden Ceamics Model number 81 Dimensions: Height 18.0 cm / 7.08 in Width 20.0 cm / 7.87 in Depth 10.0 cm / 3.93 in Bibliography: - Thomas Arlt / Arthur Weilinger, Wiener Keramik / VIENNA CERAMICS, Bertold Löffler...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Vienna Ceramics Art Nouveau Writing Set With Putto by Michael Powolny, 1910-1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Art Nouveau item by Michael Powolny Manufactured by Wiener Keramik (Vienna Ceramics) ceramics, bright earthenware, glossy finish, hand painted Model number 140 Made circa 1910-1912 Marks: WK - Wiener Keramik /= Vienna Ceramics MP - Monogram of Michael Powolny Subject: Cube-shaped vessel with straight, openwork walls with flower tendrils in relief; domed round lid with pearl cord and sculptural putto with cornucopia as lid knob; painted in color, gold staffage; a small glass ink bottle under the lid. Measures: total height 15.5 cm / 6.10 inches width x depth 9.0 x 9.0 cm / 3.54 x 3.54 inches Bibliography: - Thomas Arlt / Arthur Weilinger, WIENER KERAMIK / VIENNA CERAMICS Bertold Löffler...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Powolny decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Michael Powolny decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Michael Powolny decorative objects, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Michael Powolny were created in the Art Nouveau style in europe during the early 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Dagobert Peche, Vally Wieselthier, and Ernst Wahliss. Prices for Michael Powolny decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,056 and can go as high as $160,819, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,322.

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