Royal Copenhagen Glazed Stoneware Group of Pontius Pilate, Jais Nielsen

Born in Denmark, Jais Nielsen initially studied at Kristian Zahrtmann’s art school and exhibited for the first time at the 1907 Autumn Salon in Copenhagen's Charlottenberg Palace. He participated in the ground-breaking The Group of Thirteen modernism show, where his focus on dynamic figural painting and his bold use of color set him dramatically apart from his contemporaries. From 1907–11, his use of 'primitive' Fauve colors reinforced his clear departure from traditional Danish painting. In 1911, Nielsen moved to Paris where he settled in the Latin Quarter near the Musée de Cluny. His first formal Paris exhibition was at the Salon d’Automne of 1912. During this first Paris period, from which the present work dates, Nielsen attended meetings of the Section d’Or at the studio of Jacques Villon and began to incorporate distinct, yet subtle, Cubist elements into his work. At the outbreak of World War One, Nielsen moved back to Copenhagen, taking his Parisian Modernist style with him. Sports, dance and circus life were the themes that interested him and he painted many canvases in the best tradition of the early Cubists, of which he became the earliest Danish exponent. Neilsen exhibited widely and with success and was the only Danish artist represented in the landmark Futurist exhibition, “Futurismo & Futurismi” in Venice, Italy in 1986. A retrospective of his work was also held at the Galerie 1900–2000 in 1986. Nielsen is recognized as a founding pioneer of Scandinavian modernism and his works are held in private and public collections worldwide including the permanent collections of the National Art Museum in Copenhagen and the National Museum in Oslo. He is well-listed in all art historical reference works including Thieme-Becker and in Benezit, which gives a signature sample.

Producers of the finest in Danish porcelain, Royal Copenhagen is a company steeped in tradition. Its celebrated blue-and-white china patterns as well as its famed hallmark depicting the royal crown and three waves — symbolizing the monarch who founded the company and the three major waterways of Denmark — are emblems of master craftsmanship.

Royal Copenhagen was founded in 1775 by Queen Juliane Marie. Years earlier, after the death of her husband, King Frederick V, Juliane’s stepson ascended the throne. Shortly into his reign, he went insane, and the Queen became the head of Denmark and its small empire. She sought to improve Denmark’s economy and founded factories around the country to promote domestic growth and international trade. Royal Copenhagen was one of the first of these. Royal Copenhagen first made dinnerware and vases with blue-and-white motifs inspired by Chinese porcelain, then the rage in aristocratic Europe. Many of these designs are still made today.

Apart from its classic patterns, Royal Copenhagen has adapted to the changing styles of time and appeals to many different tastes. Their prolific body of work includes Rococo-style porcelain statues that incorporate stylistic floral patterns in an Art Nouveau style, as well as modern vases by such noted 20th century Danish ceramists as Axel Salto. Whether used for special occasions or displayed as part of a design collection, Royal Copenhagen pieces represent a legacy of the highest quality.

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