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.
Michael Powolny Art Nouveau glass footed bowl for Loetz/Bohemian glass Czech.
By Bohemia Crystal, Michael Powolny
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful solid green glass and dark blue rim footed bowl . Traditional style for Michael Powolny .
Glass
Art Nouveau designer Michael Powolny for Loetz Witwe glass bowl around 1910s
By Michael Powolny, Johann Lötz Witwe
Located in Bingen am Rhein, 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...
Glass
Large Antique Marble Bowl, Italy, Around 1910
Located in Berlin, DE
Large antique marble bowl, Italy around 1910. Solid marble, mottled red, round conical shape. Italy around 1910.
Marble
$1,148Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.28 in Dm 6.89 in
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...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Loetz Art Nouveau vase whit Colered Details of Irradiated glass 1900s
By Loetz Glass
Located in Verviers, BE
Loetz Art Nouveau vase whit Colered Details of Irradiated glass 1900s Beautifully decorated whit Irradiated glass Rare to find with original condition The piece is in good conditio...
Art Glass
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.25 in W 5 in D 5 in
Art Nouveau Rindskopf Pulled Feather Czech Bohemian Art Glass Loetz Style Vase
By Josef Rindskopf’s Söhne, Loetz Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning Art Nouveau Czech Bohemian iridescent pulled feather art glass vase by Josef Rindskopf, circa early 1900s. The vase has wonderful color and design. Green clear glass body wi...
Art Glass
$142Sale Price|30% Off
H 4.38 in Dm 3.15 in
1900s Art Nouveau Mild Iridescent Green Sea Urchin Vase, Loetz Witwe
By Johann Lötz Witwe
Located in Andernach, DE
Absolutely marvellous antique vase in a very mildly iridescent green, attributed to Loetz Witwe. Bohemia around 1900. This small sea urchin and equally floral shaped vase is somewhat...
Art Glass
Loetz Art Nouveau vase whit Colered Details of Irradiated glass 1900s
By Loetz Glass
Located in Verviers, BE
Loetz Art Nouveau vase whit Colered Details of Irradiated glass 1900s Beautifully decorated whit Irradiated glass Rare to find with original condition The piece is in good conditio...
Art Glass
Antique Bohemian Ruby Crystal Bowl with Foot
Located in Toronto, ON
This stunning large antique Bohemian ruby crystal bowl is a vibrant and luxurious piece that will make a striking addition to any space. The faceted panels of the crystal reflect light beautifully, creating a dazzling effect that enhances its rich ruby red color. The footed base adds stability and elegance, elevating the bowl while adding a touch of sophistication to its overall design. Perfect for a kitchen island or entryway console...
Crystal
Czech Art Glass Bowl by Josef Hospodka for Chribska Glasswork, 1960's
By Chribska Glassworks, Josef Hospodka
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia. Made of Art Glass. Re-polished. Good original condition.
Art Glass
Iridescent Art Nouveau Glass Snake Vase by Johann Loetz Witwe
By Johann Lötz Witwe
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Model #21008 Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an opt...
Art Glass
Bohemian Orange Glass Vase in Style of Powolny for Loetz Tango
By Loetz Glass, Michael Powolny
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage cased tango orange glass vase with black accent features elegant, minimal shape and eye-catching color palette. Deep, jewel-toned, coral orange color dominates the design; t...
Art Glass, Glass, Blown Glass
$28,712Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.97 in Dm 5.91 in
Important Vase Art Nouveau by Moritz Hacker and Johann Loetz Witwe, 1900s
By Johann Lötz Witwe, Moritz Hacker
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Important vase for museum display from the full Art Nouveau period. A large handled vase made of Bohemian glass with metal mount decoration in relief and chiselled in Art Nouveau sty...
Metal
Bohemian Ruby Flashed Glass Sweetmeat Bowl, Footed, Early 20th Century
Located in Montreal, QC
Bohemian ruby-flashed footed covered sweetmeat ; cut to clear; with engraved reserves, depicting a stag, a goose, and a crane; knob on lid with cut starb...
Glass
Sold
H 6.89 in W 6.7 in D 4.34 in
'Donauweibchen', Danube Mermaid Box, Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1910-1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Oval, straight-sided lidded box on four ball feet, with a slightly domed lid featuring a fully sculpted group of figures: the naked 'Danube Maiden', the legendary Danube mermaid, emb...
Ceramic
Sold
H 6.7 in W 12.01 in D 6.11 in
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...
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...
Ceramic
Sold
H 6.3 in Dm 11.03 in
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...
Ceramic
Michael Powolny Loetz Tango Piped Orange Pedestal Glass Bowl, circa 1914
By Michael Powolny
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Michael Powolny cased tango orange glass pedestal bowl with black piping and stem made by Loetz. The hand blown bowl stands on a rounded pedestal foot with a short 'black' ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass