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 Four Seasons Putti Sculpture, Glazed Ceramic, 1906
By Wiener Keramik Werkstätte, Michael Powolny
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
four seasons Putti, Michael Powolny, Wiener Keramik, ca. 1906 Michael Powolny's renowned design is one of the most famous example of Jugendstil ceramics. They were produced by Wiene...
Ceramic
Michael Powolny Rare Pottery Pair Sparrows Figure c.1907
By Michael Powolny
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful and rare Austrian Wiener Keramik pair of pottery sparrows by renowned sculptor and ceramicist Michael Powolny (Austrian, 1871-1954) and dating from around 1907. Michael...
Pottery
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...
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 ...
Ceramic
'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...
Ceramic
Large Putto As An Indian, by Michael Powolny, Sommerhuber Austria, 1925-1930
By Michael Powolny, Sommerhuber Keramik Steyr Co.
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent ceramic piece in the tradition of Michael Powolny: Standing putto, dressed only in a short-sleeved vest and belt, with a feather crown on his blond curls, a small bow and q...
Ceramic
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...
Ceramic, Stoneware
"Leaf Rambler" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
By Keith Simpson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Tang Dynasty Fat Lady Pottery Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty Terracotta sculpture of a fat lady This stunning lady wears her hair in an elaborately styled coiffure. A remarkable amount of the original pigm...
Pottery
Tang Dynasty Pottery Lokapala Tomb Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful Chinese red clay pottery tomb figure from the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907). Guarding a dignitary or decorated soldier; these figures stood guard for over a thousand years surviving to decorate your home collection of ancient artistic and cultural artifacts. Original Polychromed red and gray paint pigments still present. Chinese Buddhist guardian statues made of earthenware and pigments, from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), dated to the late 7th to first half of the 9th century. The foreign facial features of this brilliantly sculpted guardian figure is evidence of the strong Western presence in Tang-dynasty China. Originating in the Lokapala deity of the Buddhist religion, which came to China from the West, this type of armored tomb guardian...
Terracotta
Ceramic Vase Model “#1912” by Morten Løbner Espersen, Denmark, 2016
By Morten Løbner Espersen
Located in Barcelona, ES
Morten Løbner Espersen Ceramic vase model “#1912” Manufactured by Morten Løbner Espersen Copenhagen, 2016 Stoneware and glaze Measureme...
Stoneware
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...
Ceramic
Rare C19th Pottery Nodding Figure
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A rare C19th English pottery figure of a seated Japanese gentleman in traditional robes, with a nodding head which is lead weighted inside to make his head rock, with a bottle and cu...
Pottery, Paint
$661
H 6.3 in Dm 5.12 in
Art Deco Porcelain Flapper Girl Half Doll With Legs by Fasold & Stuach, c1930
By FASOLD & STAUCH
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this very enchanting porcelain half doll pin cushion, dating to the 1930s and sourced in France. Depicts a flapper girl stood dressed in the fashion of the ...
Porcelain
$1,162Sale 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
Rare Pair Staffordshire Pottery Cats on Cushions
By Staffordshire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of Staffordshire Pottery figures which feature a cat on a cushion, recumbent on an oval base. Dull gilt base line and embellishment.
Earthenware
$302Sale Price|21% Off
H 7.09 in W 8.27 in D 9.06 in
Pottery Polar Bear Bowl or Ashtray from Ditmar Urbach Czechoslovakia, 1930s
By Ditmar Urbach
Located in Lucenec, SK
Polar bear at ice POOL, a ceramic bowl manufactured by Ditmar Urbach in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. The bowl was designed to celebrate Nora, the first polar bear in the Prague Zoo. ...
Ceramic
Italian Glazed Ceramic Dog Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Glazed Ceramic Dog Sculpture. Well detailed Italian glazed ceramic dog statue or sculpture of a Sheep Dog. Stamped Ronzan, Made In Italy.
Ceramic
$320 / set
H 7.5 in W 3.25 in D 3 in
Pair of Rare Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Bronze Figure Vases, Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Vienna bronze figurines with glass flower vases. Thiscold painted bronze on a wooden stand is probably something you need if you’re a Vienna bronze collector. Fou...
Bronze
Sold
H 14.97 in W 9.45 in D 6.89 in
'Summer', Putto With Cornucopia, by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1913-1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent and very rare Art Nouveau ceramic piece from a series of the four seasons: Running nude putto with flowing blond hair, a drapery around his front thigh and holding a cornuc...
Ceramic
Sold
H 15.75 in W 7.88 in D 7.09 in
'Winter', Putto With Flower Wreath, Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1910-1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent and very rare Art Nouveau ceramic piece from a series of the four seasons: Nude putto in a wide striding position with drapery sliding over his back to the ground, holding ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 31.5 in Dm 12.5 in
Michael Powolny Ceramic Pottery Sculpture, Large Putto "Spring" Winer Keramik
By Wiener Keramik Werkstätte, Michael Powolny
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...
Ceramic
Sold
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Four Seasonal Crinoline Figurines by Michael Powolny, Viennese Ceramics, c. 1910
By Michael Powolny, Viennese Manufactory
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...
Ceramic
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H 7.08 in W 7.87 in D 3.93 in
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...
Ceramic
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H 6.1 in W 3.54 in D 3.54 in
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...
Ceramic
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H 29.5 in W 13 in D 12 in
Michael Powolny Austrian Ceramic Sculpture of Putto with Flowers, “Summer”
By Michael Powolny
Located in Milford, NH
A fine ceramic Art Nouveau sculpture of a putto with flowers by Austrian sculptor Michael Powolny, (1871-1954). Powolny was born in Judenburg, attended the School of Arts & Crafts in Znaim and, seven years later, went to the School of Arts & Crafts in Vienna. In 1906, he founded the Wiener Keramik together with Bertold Löffler...
Ceramic
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H 5.11 in W 3.93 in D 3.93 in
Michael Powolny Vienna Virgin Mary Christ Child Wiener Keramik WK Model 96, 1908
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Virgin Mary (Madonna) with Christ Child Modeled by Michael Powolny (1871-1954) / circa 1907 Hallmarked: manufactured by Wiener Keramik / Vienna Ceramics (WK) Material: Ceramics (glossy finish / multicolored painted) model number 96 made circa 1907-1908 Subject: We're presenting a stunning golden painted kneeling figurine of Holy Virgin Mary here: The Madonna holds undressed christ child with both hands / the little Christ stands in front of Madonna's figurine. SIZE: height: 13.0 cm / 5.11 inches measures of black flat base: 10.0 x 10.0 cm / 3.93 x 3.93 inches Bibliography: Waltraud Neuwirth, Markenlexikon für Kunstgewerbe (3), Wiener Keramik / Modelle 1906-13; page 91 Elisabeth Frottier, Michael Powolny / Monograph, published by Boehlau Vienna/Cologne 1990, WV 68 Experts of Fine Arts assess Michael Powolny's work nowadays as result of activity of one the most important ceramics...
Ceramic
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H 6.29 in W 12 in D 6.29 in
Powolny Art Nouveau Vienna Writing Equipment Till Eulenspiegel Model 109 GK 1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Michael Powolny excellent Art Nouveau item: Writing Equipment to which sculptured figurine of Till Eulenspiegel is attached - it is a quite rare ceramics item, indeed ! Modelled by Michael Powolny (1871-1954), circa 1907. Hallmarked: Manufactured by Gmundner Keramik (= Gmunden Ceramics). GK / hallmarked (the mark is dimly visible at reverse side / original firm label still existing). Material is ceramics (painted in rusty red, brown and black / glossy finish). MODEL 109 (model number is impressed / bottom glazed) Made circa 1919 Subject: Most lovely sculptured figurine of Till Eulenspiegel* cowering on rectangular platter. There is an owl visible next to his feet / additionally, the holder for inkwell (inkpot) is attached beside the sculptured figurine. Bibliography: Waltraud Neuwirth, Markenlexikon für Kunstgewerbe (3), Wiener Keramik / Modelle 1906-13; page 98 Elisabeth Frottier, "Michael Powolny, Keramik und Glas aus Wien 1900-1950", Vienna 1990, page 200, List of Work (= Werkverzeichnis) number W 109 (WV 58), Model 109 We read in wikipedia about Till Eulenspiegel: Till Eulenspiegel was an impudent trickster figure originating in Middle Low German folklore...
Ceramic
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H 7.87 in Dm 6.29 in
Michael Powolny Art Nouveau Vienna Virgin Mary Jesus Child on Box Model 93, 1911
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Michael Powolny excellent Art Nouveau item: Virgin Mary with Jesus Child attached to twelve-sided box. It is a most lovely ceramics item, indeed ! Modelled by Michael Powolny 1871 ...
Ceramic
Michael Powolny Vienna Snail Rider Cherub Figurine Most Lovely
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
So-said snail rider cherub most lovely figurine circa 1913 Modelled by michael powolny (1871 - 1954) / circa 1907 Hallmarked: Manufactured by wiener keramik and gm...
Ceramic
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H 8.8 in W 3.2 in D 3.2 in
Michael Powolny Lovely Wien Putto Cherub Symbolizing Vienna MP WK, circa 1907
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
So Said 'wien - Putto' / sculptured most lovely Cherub symbolizing Vienna Modelled by Michael Powolny (1871-1954) Hallmarked: Manufactured by Wiener Keramik (WK / Hallmarked)...
Ceramic