Stoneware Decorative Objects

Rustic midcentury modern ceramic bowl made in the 1960s by Kingo Keramik. Small bird sculpted by hand on one side. Dark brown over light teal green and crisp white glaze on each of t...

Axel Salto (1889-1961) for Royal Copenhagen. The onion-shaped vase in stoneware with a relief pattern, decorated with sung glaze. 1940s. First factory quality. Signed Salto, Kgl. P. ...

Scandinavian Modern decorative vide-poche bowl designed and handmade by ceramic artist Ludvig Kyhn in the 1950s. Cream glaze with relief lines and hand-painted image of a white bird ...

Decorative stoneware “Argenta” box by Wilhelm Kåge in a comfact form. Decorated with a silver griffin, lovely attention to detail. “Argenta” was introduced at the Stockholm exhibiti...

Staffordshire, England, circa 1745 – 1760 This charming and unusual figure depicts a seated cat, its body marbled in tones of buff, grey, and warm brown, the patterns flowing like fur beneath a translucent salt glaze. From the crown of its head rises a small candleholder—an enchanting, functional variation that transforms the cat into a decorative light for the Georgian home. The salt-glazed surface has a gentle satin sheen, enlivened by a cobalt wash brushed across the ears and shoulders, a subtle touch of colour that draws the eye. The figure is compact and beautifully balanced, exuding both humor and grace: a work of wit and craftsmanship meant to charm and amuse as much as to illuminate. As a pair, this cat with candleholder and its companion cat carrying a mouse form a dialogue of light and life—one playful, one practical—representing the Staffordshire potters’ genius for turning everyday subjects into artful curiosities. Attribution and Significance Within the history of English ceramics, agateware animals represent the marriage of experimentation and domestic charm. They were objects of conversation—proof of a potter’s technical mastery and a household’s refinement. This cat, with its delicate candleholder, captures that artistic playfulness and innovation. The glaze’s clarity, the elegant pose, and the subtle marbling make it not only an artifact of mid-18th-century Staffordshire but also a small masterpiece of whimsy and craft. Scholarly Analysis and Authentication The figure is made from laminated clays of contrasting colors, known as laid agate, a technique perfected in Staffordshire workshops during the 1740s and 1750s. Strata of buff, pale grey, and iron-bearing brown clay were rolled together, pressed into a two-part mold, and luted along the spine before firing. The cat’s body thus shows true through-body marbling: the veining continues through the thickness of the clay, not merely applied on the surface. The candle socket, made from a single buff clay rather than agate, was luted to the head before glazing. This practical choice prevented distortion during firing and was a typical workshop economy seen in other mid-18th-century functional animal forms. The piece was salt-glazed in a wood- or coal-fired kiln into which common salt was introduced near peak temperature. Sodium vapor combined with the silica of the clay to form a thin, glassy coating. Here, the glaze is smooth and even, suggesting the cat was fired within a protective sagger. The underside of the figure is open, revealing the pressed-clay interior. Two or three minute stilt contacts are visible on the bottom ledge, confirming that the figure rested on kiln props during firing rather than being supported from beneath a closed base. The cobalt wash was brushed under the glaze before firing. It fuses permanently into the surface, creating soft haloes of blue wholly consistent with decoration on salt-glazed figures from the Whieldon circle circa 1750-1760. Later 19th-century reproductions employ overpainted enamels that sit atop the glaze. The open underside, authentic stratified body, integrated socket, and original cobalt staining collectively identify this as a genuine product of Staffordshire’s mid-18th-century agateware tradition, most plausibly from the orbit of Thomas Whieldon at Fenton Vivian or a closely related potter. The measured height, modelling, and marbling correspond closely to examples in the Burnap Collection (nos.. 362–363, Nelson-Atkins Museum) and Sotheby’s (2015) — “A Staffordshire agateware cat-form candlestick, circa 1755. Provenance / Condition: Current Condition: Excellent, with one ear repaired at the tip and restoration at the top of the candleholder; the glaze remains bright and continuous across the body and socket. References: Burnap Collection, English Pottery 1675–1825, nos. 362–363. Sotheby’s (2015) — “A Staffordshire agateware cat-form candlestick, circa 1755. Christie’s, London 2010, lot 82. 1stDibs “Staffordshire Agateware Pottery Saltglaze Figure of a Cat,” item ref LU95812370442 Price: $4,482.16 Chipstone Foundation, Marbled Agateware: Techniques and Identification, 2005. Henry Sandon, Staffordshire Pottery, 1970, pp. 52–54. John Howard Antiques, Antique Agateware...

Handmade stoneware bowl. Decorated with coffee glaze featuring relief patterns of spirals and squares. Designed by ceramist Joseph Simon and made at Søholm in Denmark between 1967-69...

A "Paradiso" stoneware bowl/astray with robust forms, glossy green glaze, and nature floral motifs in relief. By Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. Paradiso sticker scraps. Diameter 15 c...

We have gathered a Groupe of 2 Studio unique pieces, made at Rörstrand during the midcentury. The pieces are designed by Carl Harry Stålhane. These pieces stand out to whats normal t...

Plump, round stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg, with a compact neck. Brownish grey hare’s fur glaze with blue at the base and rim. Berndt Friberg was a Swedish ceramicist, renowned f...

A red vase with a crystalline glaze designed by Isak Isaksson in Sweden. The vase is 18.5 cm (7.4") high and about 11 cm (4.4") in diameter and it is in excellent condition. This is ...

French ceramic ball vase with nucleations by Monique Cavallini - Circa 2000 Very delicately glazed ball vase in soft plant-inspired tones: earthy brown and leafy green. The vase is glazed with nucleations, similar to crystallizations, obtained with hay ash and titanium. The result is beautiful. The vase is in very good condition. It is engraved "M.Cavallini". -------------------- An important centre of French ceramics since Antiquity, Vallauris, located 6km from Antibes on the French Riviera, experienced a major boom at the end of the 19th century thanks to the Massier family of ceramists. At the end of the second world war, painters, sculptors and masters of ceramics settled in Vallauris, starting with Picasso in 1948. He perfected his ceramic technique at the Madoura workshop with Suzanne Ramié. Chagall, Matisse, Cocteau, Miro, Braque, Rouault, Fernand Léger, who came to stay in Vallauris, created a stir in this creative centre. The artistic production with its abstract and geometric decorations, its new textures and its rich modern glazes, will definitively replace the traditional pottery. Alain Maunier...

A wonderful stoneware pottery model of a Monkey designed by Knud Khyn for Royal Copenhagen. Knud Khyn (1880-1969) was a Danish sculptor and painter. He was an important, long-term...

Danish midcentury ceramic vase with floral relief ornaments on front and back on the unglazed brick red body. Shiny white broad lined glaze on sides and top. A Scandinavian piece wit...

A wonderful work by East Coast/ Massachusetts master potter William Wymann. This piece features a fantastic texture and rich, sumptuous, deep ocean-like blue crackle glaze that chang...

Circular dusty blue and gray ceramic wall vase made by hand. With a soft shaped ear on each side and a flat base this item can be used standing or hanging on a wall. It has organic d...

This a Georgian, early 19th century Deep Dish or Pie / Serving Dish made by Mason's Ironstone in the small vase, flowers and rock gilded chinoiserie pattern, dating to circa 1815. T...

Vintage ceramic vase by Raymonde Leduc (circa 1970s). Sandstone coloured small vessel with plant motifs inlaid on all four sides. In good overall condition. Signed 'R. Leduc' on one ...

A lovely white ceramic vase designed by Pia Rönndahl at Rörstrand in 1998. The vase is 32.5 cm tall and in excellent condition except from some minor marks in the glaze. Because of t...

Art Deco slender cylindrical fluted vase by the Danish ceramist Arne Bang (1901-1983). The vase is decorated with speckled brown and earthen color glaze. Marked on bottom with mono...

A beautiful, perfectly shaped antique Bizen ware Chawan tea bowl by renowned Japanese master potter/artist Kaneshige Toyo (1896-1967) featuring a unique natural, organic forming ash glaze. Kaneshige is universally considered to be the founder of modern Bizen pottery. In 1956, Kaneshige was certified as a Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Heritage) for his work in Bizen Ware pottery/ceramics. Bizen Ware is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally from the Bizen province, presently a part of the Okayama prefecture. It is considered one of the Six Ancient Japanese Kilns (along with Echizen ware, Seto ware, Shigaraki ware, Tamba ware, and Tokoname ware). The piece is signed/ sealed on the base with one of Kaneshige's traditional incised marks. A rather engaging and scarce work. Would be a fantastic addition to any Japanese/Asian pottery or Bizen Ware collection or eye-catching stand-alone work in about any setting. Kaneshige's work can be found in numerous prominent collections and museums including: Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Seto, Japan Brooklyn Museum, NY Hagi Uragami Museum, Yamaguchi, Japan Honolulu Art Museum, HI Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, Kasama, Japan Indiana Art...

Danish midcentury modern handmade and hand-decorated stoneware vide-poche dish by ceramic artist Einar Johansen. Gray base with brown lines accentuating the geometric lined relief pa...

This is a late 19th century or early 20th century glazed stoneware sculpture of an American buffalo… this is a large and heavy sculpture, 27 1/2 inches long 20 1/2 inches high and a...

Curvy and slender handmade ceramic vase with narrow opening. By designer Ole Bøgild for Lee Keramik in the 1970s. Glazed with a beautifully speckled sage green shiny glaze. Signed un...

Beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gertrud Lönegren. This studio piece was created at Rorstrand in Sweden between 1936-41. Swedish Grace. Great condition. Impr...

A beautiful stoneware vase with handle. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition. Incised signature "G.N." and Rörstrands three crowns. Gunnar Ny...

This stoneware vase, crafted by Aldo Londi and produced by Bitossi in Italy during the 1960s, showcases a striking brown hue adorned with accents of light brown and intricate engrave...

Rustic stoneware bottle vase with earthcolored brown, ochre and olive green glaze and dark blue circle decor around the top edge. Small handle on top. Made by Kingo Keramik in the 19...

This handcrafted ceramic bowl features a striking black spiral design on a white glaze. The minimalist yet bold decoration is paired with a refined shallow shape and a raised foot, g...

A grey and green glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Arne Bang, Denmark, 1940s.

This stoneware bowl was designed by Marianne Westman and produced in Sweden in 1964. Westman designed many classics for the Swedish ceramic factory Rörstrand, mostly porcelain table...

A stylish centerpiece bowl or elegant planter in Raku glazed stoneware. Executed with a hand-glazed geometric pattern. Anonymous scandinavian designer/maker in the style of Gertrud V...

An exceptional Argenta stoneware bowl designed by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, Sweden, dated 1935. The bowl is executed in a rich turquoise-green glaze and decorated with an elegan...

Hand-thrown Danish midcentury modern stoneware vide-poche bowl. Sandy light gray glaze over spiral relief decor in the center and clear glaze on the sides over the dark brown materia...

A stoneware art deco vase with off-white glaze and hand-painted gold details. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand ALP (Lidköpings Porslinsfabrik), Sweden, 1930s. Great conditio...

Ceramic vase designed by Allan Ebeling and produced in Torshälla, Sweden, during the 1930s. The vase features a softly modeled, sculptural form with subtle vertical shaping. The mus...

Unique American studio glazed pottery jug with dual handles and spout, early 20th century. Beautifully formed vessel having an ovoid shaped body and softly angled mouth with spout fl...

A beautiful stoneware bowl with amazing hare’s fur glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1956. Excellent condition. Incised s...

A beautiful stoneware bowl with amazing 'aniara' glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s. Great condition. Incised signat...

Flat vase in Baby blue. Designed by Project 213A in 2021. Handmade Stoneware. Creation demands destruction, taking the old and the typical to conceive the new and particular. The F...

A white-glazed stoneware bowl, model "Veckla" designed by Stig Lindberg and produced by Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s. Discoloration present to ceramic.  Minor abrasion present to cer...

Set of two Danish modernist vases with soft, organic shapes and muted colors designed by acclaimed ceramic artist Aage Würtz in the 1980s. The father-son duo KH Würtz is one of Denma...

A very nice MCM California studio pottery stoneware vase, circa 1970s. The vessel is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3"W x 3"D x 6.75"H. Signed o...

A rare Arne Bang (1901-1983, stoneware vase with ribbed corpus decorated with sand-colored eggshell glaze body. Signed with Bang’s monogram on the underside, No. 2. Perfect condition...

This Metallic Silver-Gray hand-built ceramic sculpture evokes a proud creature that walks and observes. A Modern TOTEM, abstract with an angled head on two middle bars, balanced on 4...

Isak Isaksson Ceramic Vase with Crystalline Glaze, Sweden 1980s. Unique piece, stoneware vase with blue crystalline glaze. Flowers and branches cut on the neckin in a sophisticated ...

Wilhelm Kåge (1889-1960) is one of the most well-known representatives of the illustrious Swedish ceramic design of the 20th century. This piece is signed with sticker "Gustavsberg A...

An interesting brutalist style studio pottery stoneware vase, circa 1970s. Cool and different piece that is signed on the underside. The vase is in very good condition with no chips...

Beautiful miniature stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg, in an appealing oval form with a thin neck. Glazed pale aquamarine green. Berndt Friberg was a Swedish ceramicist, renowned for...

Wonderful group of sculptures by Italian American artist Marco Celotti. Created circumnineteen 70 this highly animated group of characters can only bring to mind thoughts of storyt...

Anthracite black glazed and vertically incised vase designed and produced by ceramic artist Ejvind Nielsen in the small Danish town of Hvidovre in the 1960s. Nielsen is known for his...

Beautiful vase with Cream / Off-white glaze. Made by Gertrud Lönegren at Rorstrand in Sweden between 1936-41. Great condition. Impressed 'Rörstrand', 'LÖNEGREN' and 'HANDDREJAD'. ...

'Lilies’ handmade white ceramic vase. This vase is part of a new series inspired by flowers (and more generally organic elements). Here is ou...

An unusual Austrian art pottery sculptural figure of St Christopher carrying the Christ child across a river attributed to renowned Austrian sculptor, Ceramist, designer and teacher Michael Powolny (Austrian, 1871-1954) and probably dating between 1920 and 1930. The hand-crafted figure shows St Christopher with the Christ child on his shoulder and a wooden staff...

A hand-painted stoneware vase designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.85"H x 5.0"W x 5.0"D All items ship from ...

Sculptural tall ceramic bottle vase with wide base and slender glazed neck handmade by ceramic artist Åke Palmgren for Krukmakaren in Ystad in the 1960s. Hand-carved graphic decorati...

Hand-thrown Danish midcentury modern stoneware vide-poche bowl. Shiny light blue and sandy yellow glaze over spiral relief decor in the center and clear glaze on the sides over the d...

An cream white-glazed stoneware urn designed and produced by Andersson & Johansson, Sweden, c. 1940s.

Freeform studio pottery vase 1960s. This is a very distinct midcentury Studio Pottery vase with a slender freeform aesthetic. The dark brown vase has a rough and ribbed glaze and ...

A large and magnificent Scandinavian modern brown salt-glazed stoneware vase by Arthur Andersson with horizontal patterns of zig zags and striations relief decor. Inside glazed. Insi...

We have gathered a Groupe of 2 pieces, made at Rörstrand during the midcentury. The pieces are designed by Carl Harry Stålhane. Their slick minimalistic and elegant form make a perfe...