Mid-20th Century Animal Sculptures

Kay Bojesen (1886-1958),a well-known Danish silversmith and designer. Wooden figurine of a zebra. Hand-painted. Early edition. Mid-20th century. Label. In very good condition. Dimen...

Dachshund dog is made of chamotte stoneware with geometric decoration in blue and white semi-matte glaze. It was designed by Lisa Larson (1931-2024) in 1955 as part of the ”Lilla zo...

Poodle is made of white stoneware with shiny light blue glaze and dark blue hand painted decoration. It was designed by Lisa Larson (1931-2024) as part of the "Poodles" (Pudlar) ser...

Gorgeous stoneware lion figurine by Gunnar Nylund with an expressive face and glaze gathering beautifully in all its nooks and crannies. Gunnar Nylund’s animal figurines are among hi...

Steiff Jocko Monkey, 1950's German Sitting Mohair Chimpanzee, Collectible Vintage Stuffed Monkey, Steiff No Ear Button

Gunnar Nylund "Iller" Stonewear Weasel with stand for Rörstrand Sweden 1960's A beautiful vintage weasel in stoneware by Gunnar Nylund for Ro¨rstrand, Sweden, circa 1960 in perfec...

Scarce large "Pondus the Penguin" bank made from red earthenware pottery by Danish factory Knabstrup, circa 1960s. This is a charming and very collectible piece that is in very good ...

Original Steiff Rehkiz Germany 50ies in very good condition

Kay Bojesen wooden bear from the early 1950s in teak . Stamped Kay Bojeson Denmark Copyright . Kay Bojesen from the start in 1932 hand made animal figure toys in his small Copenh...

Hand crafted bird sculpture by Jacob Hermann Denmark 1950s A rare zebrawood example with ebony tail and eyes on brass feet Impressed signature to underside 5.5 inch width 2 inch dep...

This Scandinavian Modern earthenware hedgehog from the 1960s exudes charm with its glazed zigzag pattern on beige fur. The unglazed brown face adds a distinctive touch to its feature...

A hard to find porcelain owl sculpture by Lillemor Mannerheim for Arabia of Finland, circa 1980s. Signed on the underside by the artist, the p...

A real vintage classic - the elephant by Kay Bojesen. Made in Denmark. Early example from the second half of the 20th century.

A stunning and unique stoneware rooster sculpture with amazing glaze. Made by Tyra Lundgren. Executed in her own studio in Sweden, 1955. Great condition, but with a couple of chips to the base (pictured). Signed by the artist in two places, and dated 1955-06-20. Provenance: bought from the estate of the artist in 1979. Tyra Lundgren (1897-1979) was one of the most multifaceted artists and modernists of the twentieth century. She was a painter, drawer, sculptor, ceramist, glass- and textile designer, as well as an author and an art critic. She was the first woman who designed glass for Paolo Venini at Murano in Venice and she also served as the artistic leader at Arabia in Helsinki at a time when men tended to hold those kinds of positions. Tyra Lundgren grew up in Djursholm, near Stockholm. Her parents were John Petter Lundgren, professor at Veterinärinstitutet (institute of veterinary sciences) in Stockholm, and Edith Lundgren née Åberg, who was a housewife and raised their six children. The bourgeois home also comprised a nanny and a female cook. The family were very socially active, travelled often, and enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle. Tyra Lundgren’s schooling began at Djursholm coeducational school, where her teachers included Natanael and Elsa Beskow and Alice Tegnér. Her school friends included Greta Knutson-Tzara, Stellan Mörner, and Ingrid Rydbeck-Zuhr. Tyra Lundgren knew from the time she was five years old that she wanted to be an artist. She first became aware of the profession through Axel Fahlcrantz, who rented a studio on the plot of land where she lived with her family. In 1913 she began to attend Högre konstindustriella skolan (HKS, now known as Konstfack, college of arts, crafts and design) where she studied decorative art as well as handicrafts in various forms until 1917. One of her fellow students and friends there was Estrid Ericson, who later founded Svenskt Tenn AB in 1924. Whilst attending HKS Tyra Lundgren also took painting lessons at the Althin school of painting. In 1917 she was accepted as a candidate at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts where, apart from breaks during which she undertook studies abroad, she remained until 1922. She spent a couple of months taking lessons from Anton Hanak in Vienna and from 1920–1923 she was a student of André Lhote in Paris. Tyra Lundgren was primarily active in four countries: Sweden, Finland, France, and Italy. She spent much of her professional life travelling and considered herself to be a European. Greece and Mexico also formed important centres in her artistic life, as did the USA. She had an extensive social network which included focal individuals within twentieth century-European and American artistic and cultural circles. Tyra Lundgren’s main artistic motifs were birds, fish, and people which she depicted through different techniques and materials. Her artistic expression involved a variety of different directions and styles. She was a pioneer of the 1920s Swedish Grace style, the name of which had been coined by the art critic Morton Shand at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930. This was a Swedish Art Deco style, characterised by elegance and traditional art which contrasted with the current artistic ideals of functionalism. Tyra Lundgren made her debut at a group exhibition held at Kungliga Akademien för de fria konsterna in 1921. She went on to show her work at various exhibitions throughout the 1920s. After that period she only very rarely exhibited her paintings. Tyra Lundgren’s painted output can be divided into different periods or stylistic directions. The first of these, and the most extensive, was her post-Cubist period which began in 1920 on her arrival in Paris. Her paintings from this time and right up to the mid-1930s typically comprise portraits, self-portraits, live-model painting, still-lifes, interiors, and landscapes in the Cubist style. Many of the great number of self-portraits she painted were produced in the New Objective style, displaying broad variation in terms of clothes, poses and techniques. Two of these – Huvud med vit duk and Självporträtt both from 1921 – can be seen at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, although the majority of these works are at Gotlands Museum. Tyra Lundgren’s second artistic period comprises the years of 1927 to 1929 and is characterised by the New Objective style inspired by medieval techniques and materials (Giotto, Piero della Francesca). Her motifs were still-lifes and landscapes. At this point she was living in Rome and was close to the circle involved in the Valori plastici: rivista d’arte art journal. This period saw a breakthrough in her development as a painter. From the 1950s through the 1970s her work can almost be described as belonging to the Concrete style. Using light pastel colours her paintings sought light in a sometimes non-figurative expression, but often depicting abstract bird-shapes or other nature-inspired imagery. Her paintings from this period are outsized and display powerful colours, in yellows, reds, and blues. Tyra Lundgren maintained a constant production of drawings, both in terms of individual artworks and sketches for patterns and designs. She also produced the illustrations for her book Fagert i Fide. Årstiderna på en gammal gotlandsgård, published in 1961. During her early years she also produced advertising illustrations. She spent the final years of her life primarily working with lithographs which were printed at Galleri Prisma and depicted images of doves, swallows, magpies and crows. Tyra Lundgren is meanwhile best known for her work as a ceramist and in this sphere she was one of Sweden’s leading exponents. She worked in the porcelain industry as a designer and as an artisan and ceramic sculptor. Her first job was at St Eriks Lervarufabrik in Uppsala from 1922–1924, she then worked at Arabia from 1924–1937, and at Rörstrand and Lidköping Porslinsfabrik. She was the artistic leader at Arabia ahead of the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition and she exhibited her work at the World’s Fairs. During the 1934–1938 period she was connected to the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres porcelain factory in Paris. Tyra Lundgren was a pioneer when it came to giving ceramic art a public space in Sweden. She produced around 20 outsized reliefs in stoneware, so-called monumental reliefs. One of these is Märkeskvinnor, from 1947, for the former girls’ school at Bohusgatan in Stockholm. From the 1940s onwards Tyra Lundgren produced sculptural objects in Chamotte clay and stoneware, with various glazings. Her small birds are well-known and popular with many. When her ceramic efforts became too much for her during the 1970s she then produced models for sculptures in bronze. There are six of these in various places around the globe, including Solfågel in Almedalen, Visby. Tyra Lundgren began to work as a glassware designer at Moser in Karlsbad in 1922 where she designed new table services and modernised older ones. She also worked freelance for Riihimäki factory in Finland during the 1924–1929 period. From 1934 to 1938 she was employed by Kosta glass factory where she mainly designed thick-walled bowls and vases, engraved with classical motifs. She was introduced to the glassmaker Paolo Venini at Murano during the Triennale di Milano of 1936 and they began a collaboration that lasted into the 1950s. As part of this collaboration Tyra Lundgren became the first woman to design glassware and, in conjunction with the glassblower Arturo Biasutto, she developed new techniques of glass production. Her motifs at this point were birds, fish, snail-shaped designs and leaf-patterned bowls using traditional techniques as well as in new designs. It was during this time that she created the so-called tissue-shaped bowls and it remains unclear as to who specifically came up with the design but Tyra Lundgren claimed it was of her making. Tyra Lundgren was active as textile designer for Licium (now HV Licium), the sacred textiles...

Danish Knud Kyhn bear family figurines for Royal Copenhagen The lively bears were created by Knud Kyhn (1880-1969) in 1957. Knud Kyhn worked for for Royal Copenhagen from 1903-1910,...

Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden. Ceramic owl sculpture. From the 1960s. Model number: 6058. Marked with the manufacturer's mark. In perfect condition. Dimensions: Height 17.5...

Danish Knud Kyhn bear figurine for Royal Copenhagen The lively bear was created by Knud Kyhn (1880-1969) in 1957. Knud Kyhn worked for for Royal Copenhagen from 1903-1910, 1924-1932...

Rare Iconic vintage largest articulated monkey designed by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1952. Teak and limba. Articulated joints, head, arms, legs. Can be hung by hands and feet on a shelf ...

Very rare rattan bull head, wicker wall decoration dates to the 1960s-1970s The proportions are perfect, very decorative. We still have a dark lacqu...

This Scandinavian Original vintage genuine wooden articulated toy mouse was designed in Denmark 1950s and produced by H F Denmark as it is marked on the underside. It is in wonderfu...

Arne Bang Danish Ceramic fish in a beautiful glaze of varying greens and earth tones. Marked AB.

This Scandinavian Original vintage genuine Kay Bojesen wooden articulated Bear toy was designed and produced by Kay Bojesen, Denmark in the 1950s. This bea...

Miniature Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Frog Circa 1930.

Danish Knud Kyhn bear figurine for Royal Copenhagen The lively and friendly looking mother bear who is part of a bear family with a father bear and 4 bear babys was created by Knud ...

Mid Century Danish modern stylized teak bird sculpture. Solid teak body with brass feet. 1950s. Unmarked,

A lovely fish sculpture in ceramic designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 16.5 cm (6.6") high. It is in excellent condition except from some chips on the fish mouth. Gunnar ...

A beautiful ceramic vase of model Triton designed by Vicke Lindstrand at Upsala Ekeby 1940s. It is 35 cm (14") high and in very good condition except from some minor repaired chips n...

Two rare owl sculptures in stoneware designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand. They are 8.5 cm (3.4") high. They are in good condition except from some marks from the production ...

Rare small musk Ox figure/carving. Hand worked Norwegian Pine wood and leather. Burnished makers marks to bottom. Arne Tjomsland was Norways leading souvenir designer in the 1950s...

Vintage Swedish stoneware horse by Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg, 1950s. This small Scandinavian modern ceramic horse figurine is part of the Small Zo...

Vintage Danish modern abstract animal bird shoe brush in teak, circa 1960's. This piece has been very well kept and includes the hair bristles f...

Britt-Louise Sundell for Gustavsberg. Ringo 1 baby elephant in glazed ceramics. 1960's. In perfect condition. Signed. Dimensions: 12.5 x 12.0 cm.

Scandinavian modern wood vintage seven ( 7 ) animal figures from teak wood, 1960s Denmark. An amazing collection of different types of animals. This lovely animals show Two birds wi...

A sculpture of a deer in ceramic designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 27,5 x 16.5 cm (11" x 6.6") and 21.5 cm (8.6") high. It is in excellent condition and comes with the or...

A beautiful ceramic vase in lovely Art Deco-style designed by Einar Luterkort, the vase is designed at Upsala Ekeby in the 1930s. It is 27 cm (10.8") high and about 15 cm (6") in di...

Stig Lindberg (1916-1982), three "Scotty" dogs in stoneware for Gustavsberg. circa. 1960s. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 8.5 x H 7.5 cm.

Stig Lindberg (1916-1982), three "Scottish" dogs in stoneware for Gustavsberg. circa. 1960s. In great condition. Dimensions: L 6.0 x H 5.0 cm.

- Around 1960s. - good original condition wuth patina jr

Rare Kay Bojesen wooden toy elephant from the early 1950s in patinated oak with an amazing grain. The Elephant was created in 1953 by Kay Bojesen and from the start handmade in his s...

Gunnar Nylund, Stoneware Sculpture of an Antilope, Rörstrand, Sweden, circa 1955 Description A large stoneware sculpture of an Antilope, finished in matte reddish brown and dark brown glazes on a satin-gloss black lacquered wooden base, made in a limited edition of 200 pieces. Gunnar Nyland was particular known for his animal figures with beautiful experimental glazes. The larger examples of exotic animals - like this antilope - are especially sought after. This sculpture was designed by Gunnar Nylund and executed by the Swedish ceramics factory Rörstrand in the 1950's. It is fully signed underneath: R (Rörstrand) Sweden with 3 crowns (after 1951 Rörstrand changed to the international spelling Sweden), GN (Gunnar Nylund) and 83/200. As it lacks the post 1960 VDN markings, this piece can be dated between 1951 and 1960. Artist Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a Swedish artist, ceramist and sculptor most known for his work for the Swedish ceramic manufacturer Rörstrand. He was born in Paris to a Danish mother...

A rare example of the Danish toy-design-master Kay Bojesen work. This lion in braided natural rope was designed I collaboration between Jorgen Bloch and K...

Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) for Rörstrand. Fish in glazed ceramics. Beautiful glaze in brown shades. Mid-20th century. Measuring: L 17 cm. x H 14,5 cm. In excellent condition. Sig...

Curt M. Addin (1931-2007) for Glumslöv. Bird in partially glazed stoneware. Swedish design, 1960s/70s. Measures: 18 x 13.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped.

Helge Christoffersen (1925-1965), Denmark. Unique figure in hand-painted and glazed stoneware. Playing cats. Mid-20th century. Measures: 26 x 26 cm. In excellent condition. Si...

Hugo Liisberg for Saxbo. Lying deer in glazed stoneware. Beautiful glaze in shades of brown. 1940/50s. Measures: 18 x 14 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped.

Nittsjö, Sweden. Two figures in hand-painted and glazed stoneware. Fallow deer and toad. 1960s. Largest measures: 13.5 x 9.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped.

Thomas Hellström for Nittsjö. Two unique ceramic figures. Swedish design, circa 1960s. Stamped. Measures: 26 x 19 cm. (largest) In excellent condition.

Playful unique bird sculpture in glazed chamotte ceramics by Rolf Hansen, Norway. The sculpture was handmade by Hansen at Konsberg Keramikk in the early 1950s. Rolf Hansen was a Norwegian ceramist. From 1947 he attended Kongsberg Keramikk until his death in 2004. Rolf Hansens works make people feel easy to mind, and motives of roosters and bulls were closest to his trademark. The source of inspiration for Rolf Hansen was Pablo Picasso. In 1949 he was in Vallauris in France and became acquainted with Picasso's pottery, and in the early 1950s Rolf Hansen made dishes and jars with abstract decor in his spirit. Rolf Hansen was one of Norways most popular ceramics...

Wonderful uncommon 1950s design from Denmark of an arctic polar bear. Ink stamped, with remnants of paper label. Unknown artist.

A lovely vase of model "Cocos" designed 1954 by Hjördis Oldfors at Upsala Ekeby. the Cocos-serie was only in production in 1954. This is the largest vase in the serie with model numb...

Arne Tjomsland was Norways leading souvenir designer in the 1950s and 1960s. Arne Tjomsland's artistic style is characterized by soft structural lines and minimal detailing on his cr...

Danish Knud Kyhn bear sculpture for Royal Copenhagen The lively bear sculpture of a playing baby bear was created by Knud Kyhn (1880-1969) Knud Kyhn worke...

Danish Knud Kyhn baby bear sculpture for Royal Copenhagen The lively bear sculpture of a playing baby bear was created by Knud Kyhn (1880-1969) Knud Kyhn ...

A figurine of a Ferret designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it is 12 cm high and in very good condition with a lovely glaze. It is marked as 1st quality.

Danish Knud Kyhn bear figurine for Royal Copenhagen The lively figurine of a playing baby bear was created by Knud Kyhn (1880-1969). Knud Kyhn work...

Rare sculpture designed by Kaija Aarikka. Produced in Finland. Limited edition of 300 pcs.

A lovely wooden sculpture designed in Sweden in the midcentury. It is in very good condition except from that one of its legs is repaired. The designer is unknown.

Set of five Danish Knud Kyhn bear sculptures for Royal Copenhagen The five lively bear sculptures were created by Knud Kyhn (1880-1969) Knud Kyhn wor...