German Vases
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Place of Origin: German
Mid-century ceramic vase by Bay Keramik, West Germany, 1960s
By Bay Keramik
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful geometric ceramic vases by Bay Keramik made in West Germany in the 1960s.
The ceramic vase is in very good vintage condition, with no damage.
Dimensions:
Width: 10 cm / 3...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
$365 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Small Vase by Bodo Mans for Bay Keramik Germany
By Bay Keramik, Bodo Mans
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
A stunning and rare Bay Keramik little vase finished with renowned designer Bodo Mans.
BODO MANS was born in 1935. From 1949 to 1951 he apprenticed as a window dresser and a decorati...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Rare Super Color Fat Lava Multi-Color Vase Scheurich, Germany WGP, 1970s
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Fat lava art vase, heavy Brutalist glaze
Producer:
Scheurich, Germany
Decade:
1970s
This original vintage vase was produced in the 1970s in Ger...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Country Style Crystal Vase Handblown With Birds Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown country style crystal vase with 2 birds sitting on oak leaves in grey glass. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around in Bavaria by Sofina . Sofina glas...
Category
2010s Country German Vases
Materials
Crystal
Set of Linear Brushed Metal Brutalist Objects, Germany, 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Interesting set of objects.
Category
1970s Brutalist Vintage German Vases
Materials
Metal
Two Mid-Century Modern Purple or Red West Germany Pottery Vases
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two eclectic mismatching ceramic vases produced in West Germany, 1960s. The purple vase rather tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
set of 2 Vintage Hand Blown Crystal Glass Vase by Joska, Germany, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Glass vase
Producer:
Joska Waldglashütte Bodenmais, Germany
Decade:
1970s
Description:
Original super rare vintage vase set produced by Joska Wal...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Crystal
Op Art Porcelain Gold Sun Eye Vase by E.A. Sundermann for Fürstenberg
By Furstenberg Porcelain
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Op Art Porcelain Vase by E.A. Sundermann for Fürstenberg. Made in Germany 1960's / 70's period. White porcelain with gold sun eye print front and back. This comes in very goo...
Category
1970s Post-Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
$480 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Ceramic Brutalist Vase Fat Lava Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany, 1970s
By Carstens Tönnieshof
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
ceramic pottery vase.
Origin:
Germany.
Designer:
Heinz Siery.
Producer:
Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany.
Decade:
1970s.
This original vi...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Large German Pottery Floor Vase by Scheurich Keramik, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
Gorgeous German vintage large floor vase from Scheurich Keramik. Produced in Germany in the 1970's.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
German Art Nouveau Ceramic Painted Vase with a Crane and Reed, circa 1910
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful German Art Nouveau Ceramic vase was made circa 1910.
It has a brown painted base and is decorated with a crane and reed. Typical motives for this time.
On the top of the vase are leftovers of a paper sticker which can be easily removed.
A unique piece which is a great eyecatcher for your antique, modern, Space Age or midcentury interior.
Art Nouveau:
The epoch of Art Nouveau is not too long. It begins circa 1894 and ends circa 1906 at the latest when the Dresden exhibition shows new tendencies...
Category
1910s Art Nouveau Vintage German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Carafe Vase, 1960s
By Jopeko Keramik
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Carafe Vase from Jopeko, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Official proof of authenticity such as vintage c...
Category
20th Century Brutalist German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Large Pair Meissen Style Porcelain Lidded Vases, 19th Century
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and decorative pair of Meissen style lidded porcelain vases. Each with floral encrusted decoration to the pierced lids, Rams head handles to either side, classical ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
1960's Rosenthal Porcelain Flower Vase
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
1960's modern large Rosenthal porcelain flower vase, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Barbara Brenner Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal
By Barbara Brenner, Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
Organic postmodern porcelain vase by Barbara Brenner for Rosenthal, 1980s.
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Colorful Hand Painted Ceramic Midcentury Umbrella Stand by Eberhard Dänzer, 1965
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning, unique one off & rare Mid-Century Modern vintage umbrella Stand or holder signed and dated (5.1.1965) by the German artist Eberhard Dänzer (1935-2008) Karlsruhe, Germany in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century German White Porcelain Vase by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, 1960s
By Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant, white porcelain vase based on a design by Bjørn Wiinblad from the 60s. The decor is inset shows a fine relief with matte finish. This piece has an attribution mark, It is co...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Fat Lava Ceramic Brutalist Vase Heinz Siery Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany, 1970s
By Carstens Tönnieshof, Heinz Siery
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
ceramic pottery vase.
Origin:
Germany.
Designer:
Heinz Siery.
Producer:
Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany.
Decade:
1970s.
This original vi...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Vase Heinrich Selb Bavaria For Flowers in Hand-Painted Porcelain, Vintage, 1970s
By H. Heinrich
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage flower vase made in Germany by the famous manufacturer Heinrich Selb Bavaria, c. 1980s. This exquisite item is handcrafted from high-quality porcelain.
Delicate gold and gre...
Category
1960s Romantic Vintage German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Pewter Vases by WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of silver plated pewter and turquoise glass vases. Manufactured by WMF-Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (1853 - present). Signed WMF.
Germany, CIRCA 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique German Vases
Materials
Pewter
$30,000 / set
1970s Hand Made Glass Vase, Germany
Located in Praha, CZ
Vintage hand made bubble glass vase, made in Germany in the 1970's.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Glass
Abstract Ceramic Studio Pottery Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, Germany, 1970s
By Gerhard Liebenthron
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Ceramic stoneware object
Designer and producer:
Gerhard Liebenthron
Information:
Gerhard Liebenthron, Bremen
1925 †2005
Decade:
1970s
This ori...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Country Style Crystal Latern Hand Blown Skiier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown country style crystal latern in red glass from Bavaria. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a skiier, trees and a cottage. Sofina glass and p...
Category
2010s Country German Vases
Materials
Crystal
70s Fat Lava Pottery Vase in Neutral Earth Tone By Scheurich, West Germany
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Roma, IT
We offer for sale a large vase produced during the 70s by the Scheurich Keramik company (as attested by the adhesive label still present on the vase) which is part of the large produ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Art Nouveau Water Lily Vase Jugendstil Bronze in the Manner of Otto Eckman
By Otto Eckmann
Located in Miami, FL
Jugendstil ceramic vase bronze mounted is an original decorative object realized in the early 20th century.
Original ceramic vase with cream and cobalt blue glaze. All around colorf...
Category
Early 19th Century Jugendstil Antique German Vases
Materials
Bronze
Country Style Hand Blown Glass Vase with Flower Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown Country style crystal vase in a bright yellow with peonies all around. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around in Bavaria by Sofina. Sofina glass and ...
Category
2010s Country German Vases
Materials
Crystal
Large German Floor Vase by Scheurich Keramik, W-Germany Pottery, 1960s-1970s
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful large Mid-Century vase by Scheurich.
West Germany, 1960s-1970s
Shape number 546-40 (Model-height in centimeters).
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
WMF Pair of Flower Vases, circa 1906 Germany
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Pymble, NSW
A pair of WMF [Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik] flower vases decorated with a fisherman and fisherwoman with children. Silver plated pewter and high relief decoration. The vases h...
Category
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique German Vases
Materials
Pewter, Silver Plate
$3,650 / set
West Germany Carstens ceramic vase, 1960's
By Carstens Tönnieshof
Located in BELFORT, FR
West Germany Carstens vase made in the 1960's. Perfect condition.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in grey glass from Bavaria. The votiv is hand blown and the decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees and dee...
Category
2010s Black Forest German Vases
Materials
Crystal
Abstract German Ceramic Vase - Gerhard Liebenthron
By Gerhard Liebenthron
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Very large, organic bulbous shape ceramic vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, made in Bremen, Germany in 1964.
This colour palette is quite typical of Liebenthron's work, rarely straying fr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Other German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Ruscha Keramik Germany Vintage Ceramic Vase With Japanese Decoration
By Ruscha
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Black ceramic vase with Japanese decoration painted and enameled in relief, this vintage product was made between 1960 and 1965 by Ruscha Keramik...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
100-years Anniversary Porcelain Vase by Danish Bjørn Wiinbladh for Rosenthal
By Bjorn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the tall, oval German porcelain vase from Rosenthal, designed 1979 by Bjørn Wiinbladh, Denmark for the company’s 100-years anniversary.
It comes in the yellow color scale, ha...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Gold Leaf
Fat Lava West German Dümler & Breiden Vintage Ceramic Jug Vase, 1960s
By Dümler & Breiden, West German Pottery
Located in Valencia, VC
An outstandingly beautiful West Germany art pottery ceramic jug by Dümler & Breiden. It features the highly sought after Domino decor in brown, orange, and blue colors. Hand-produce...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
$221 Sale Price
47% Off
Rare Mid-century Scheurich Ceramic Vase
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare to find vintage ceramic vase by Scheurich ceramic. Made in Germany in the 1970's. Marked.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Midcentury Studio Pottery Vase by Jasba Keramik, 1960s
By Jasba
Located in Meer, VAN
Midcentury Studio Pottery Vase by Jasba Keramik, Germany, 1960s.
Wonderful and colorful West Germany Studio Pottery vase by Jasba Keramik. Great deep colors, shifting from blue to r...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Pottery
Large Nymphenburg Porcelain Powder Blue Ground Trumpet Form Flower Vase, ea.
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare, large-scale Nymphenburg porcelain trumpet form flower vase.
With crisp, clean lines that harken back to the Biedermeier period and dovetail perfectly with the aesthetic o...
Category
Early 20th Century German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
V21164 Vessel in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
By Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
V21164 Vessel in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Dimensions: D 28 x W 29 x H 10 cm.
Materials: Oak wood.
In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part of a la...
Category
2010s Post-Modern German Vases
Materials
Oak
Amber Matisse Stacking Vessel II, Pia Wüstenberg
By Pia Wüstenberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Amber Matisse stacking vessel II, Pia Wüstenberg
Dimensions: D 12 x H 16
Materials: glass, wood
The Matisse Stacking Vessels are treasures, small splashes of curvy glass with a wooden crown. The collection was originally designed for the Tate Museum...
Category
2010s Organic Modern German Vases
Materials
Glass, Wood
Large 30cm Ceramic Brutalist Vase FAT LAVA Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany, 1970s
By Carstens Tönnieshof, Heinz Siery
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
ceramic pottery vase.
Origin:
Germany.
Producer:
Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany.
Decade:
1970s.
This original vintage pottery object was designed and produced by C...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Antique Art Deco Silverplate Vase by WMF Ikora, Circa 1930s
By WMF Ikora
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco period silverplate vase
By WMF Ikora
Germany, Circa 1930s
Measures: 5.88"W x 5.88"D x 9.88"H.
Good original vintage condition.
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage German Vases
Materials
Silver Plate
Set of 3 Paper Bag Vases by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Germany, 1960s
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Set of three paper bag vases designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Rosenthal, Germany, 1977.
The large vase is 15cm high, 10cm wide and 6cm deep.
The small vase is 10cm h...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Unique 31cm blue Ceramic Pottery "UFO" Vase Object by Otto Keramik Germany, 1970
By Otto Keramik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Ceramic object
Designer and producer:
Otto Keramik, Germany
Decade:
1970s
This original vintage Studio Pottery object was designed and produced by ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Organic Ceramic Vase by Rudi Stahl, Germany 1970s
By Rudi Stahl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mid-Century, West Germany, studio vase but renowned ceramist Rudi Stahl.
Featuring a wonderful organic multi stemmed mushroom form above a long tubular base.
Textured clear finished ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century, Vintage Walter Gerhards Vase
By Walter Gerhards
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Walter Gerhards KG was founded 1957 (registered in 1959) in Ransbach-Baumbach, by Walter Gerhards and his wife Elfriede Gerhards.
In 1977 there were approximately 50 employees, later expanding up to 70 employees using six large electric ovens.
Elfriede Gerhards managed the company whilst Walter Gerhards led the artistic and technical designs.
Initially production focused on ceramic plant pots...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Set of Three Pottery Fat Lava "Supercolor" Vases Made by Marei, Germany, 1970
By Marei Keramik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Ceramic fat lava vases set of 3
Producer:
Marei Ceramics, Germany
Decade:
1970s
Set of 3 original vintage Studio Pottery vases was produced in ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Fat Lava Ceramic "Ankara" Vase by Heinz Siery Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany 1960s
By Heinz Siery, Carstens Tönnieshof
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Ceramic pottery vase
Origin:
Germany
Designer:
Heinz Siery
Producer:
Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany
Decade:
1960s
This original vintage pottery object was desig...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Mid-Century Large Ceramic Floor Vase, Germany
Located in Praha, CZ
Beautiful German vintage large floor vase in warm colours. Good vintage condition (see photo).
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Vase in White Porcelain by Meissen with Rose Decoration
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Sofia, BG
Tall fine vase in white porcelain with rose decoration by Meissen.
Marked at the bottom. Great condition.
Germany, circa 1920.
Category
Early 20th Century German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
$1,189 Sale Price
44% Off
Extraordinary "Abstract Line" Tube Pottery Fat Lava Vase Scheurich Germany 1970
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Fat lava art vase super rare brown "LINES" DECOR.
Producer:
Scheurich, Germany
Decade:
1970s
This original vintage vase was produced in the 1970s in Germany by ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Fat Lava Ceramic Pottery Vase Heinz Siery Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany, 1970s
By Carstens Tönnieshof, Heinz Siery
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Ceramic pottery vase
Origin:
Germany
Designer:
Heinz Siery
Producer:
Carstens Tönnieshof, Germany
Decade:
1970s
This original vintage...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Large Grey and Blue Stripes Stoneware Art Pottery Vase, Germany, 1960s
By West German Pottery
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large stoneware glazed decorative vase. Midcentury era design featuring hand drawn strips of blue colored glaze, Germany, 1960s. Perfect condition. Measures: Height 40 cm.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Super Color Crusty Fat Lava Multi-Color Vase Scheurich, Germany WGP, 1970s
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
fat lava art vase, heavy brutalist glaze.
Producer:
Scheurich, Germany.
Decade:
1970s.
This original vintage vase was produced in the 1970s in ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Pair Of Art Nouveau Vases, Karl Ens Volkstedt, Circa 1896
By Karl Ens
Located in Lisbon, PT
An amazing pair of Jugendstil Style amphora from Rudolstadt, Thuringia hailing from the Triebner Ens Manufacture and the artist Karl Ens Volkstedt. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique German Vases
Materials
Faience
$7,089 Sale Price / set
23% Off
Mid-Century Ubelacker Fat Lava Vase
By Ü Keramik
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Beautiful fat lava vase by Ubelacker Keramik with a sort of geometric pattern.
Marked with number at the bottom and label/sticker of the company.
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Large Pottery Super Fat Lava Multi-Color 517-45 Vase Scheurich WGP, 1970s
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Fat lava art vase extra large version
Model: 517-45
Producer:
Scheurich, Germany
Decade:
1970s
This original vintage vase was produced in ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern German Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Wilhelm Schiller & Sons Majolica Peacock Vase
By Wilhelm Schiller & Son
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Schiller Majolica vase which features a peacock seated on a pedestal. Coloration: Blue, green, yellow, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks for ...
Category
1880s Victorian Antique German Vases
Materials
Majolica
Style of Bitossi Vintage Vase in Blue and Green Glaze Germany, 1970s
By Bitossi
Located in Verviers, BE
Vintage vase in blue or black drip glaze featuring the indented
On close inspection the glaze includes flecks black and sea-blue which give greater depth to the surfaces.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any further questions.??
With best wishes
Geert Niessen?
Early Bird Gallery...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage German Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Antique Painted and Parcel Gilt Porcelain Vase by Meissen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
This beautiful vase was created by the world-famous Meissen porcelain factory. Meissen was established in the early 18th century, making it the first producer of hard-paste porcelain...
Category
19th Century Rococo Antique German Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Karim Rashid for Leonardo Germany Limited Edition New Move Glass Vase, ca 1999
By Karim Rashid
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Karim Rashid for Leonardo Germany Limited Edition New Move Silver Glass Vase, ca 1999.
Measures 8” high, base 3-1/2” wide, and mouth 2-1/4” wide.
There is a small scratch of silver finish/coating on glass (we've posted an image of the interior and exterior at the area of the scratch). There is also a faint area of small blemishes at the base See images for more detail.
If there’s one thing karim rashid hates, it’s trophies. The 40-year-old designer has more than 40 of them, from big international ones like the 1999 George Nelson Award (given for breakthrough furniture design), to quaint little Canadian ones like Designer of the Year 2001. “It came with a little pin,” says Rashid, “and a … a … very nice …” He tries to describe the shape of the award with his hands but gives up. “It’s time that whole trophy thing changes. It’s kitsch. They’re functionless things.” Rashid was asked to design one for the DaimlerChrysler Design Awards (he’s a past recipient). “I was going to make it electro-luminescent. When the lights go out, it has a sensor so it turns on,” he says. But the trophy-as-night-light, a reminder of one’s worth in the darkest hours, didn’t impress Chrysler’s people. He never heard back.
They may well be gnawing their knuckles over that decision right now because Rashid’s conquest of the realm of product design is all but complete. A lush and suitably worshipful retrospective of his work, Karim Rashid: I Want to Change the World (Thames & Hudson; 249 pages), hits Australasian bookstores this month. There was a crowd around anything with his stamp on it-including stools, chess sets and storage units-at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York City. More than 2 million North Americans are throwing their rubbish into a receptacle he designed, while 750,000 or so park their rears on one of his cheapo plastic chairs. It’s not just in North America. He has been dubbed Der Poet des Plastiks by a retailer in Germany and the prolifico progettista Americano by Interni magazine in Italy.
Trophies he may despise, but accolades Rashid can handle. The problem with being the Most Famous Industrial Designer in All the Americas is that you’re still less famous than someone who got kicked off Survivor the first week. Most people cannot name the designer of one nonclothing item in their homes. Rashid, who was born in Egypt, raised in Canada and is living in New York City, is more than happy to bring an end to this anonymity. Not just because he wants to be famous, although there seems to be that, but because he believes design should be a bigger part of the social discourse. “I have been almost alone in this country, trying to make design become a public subject,” he says.
His chief method of persuasion is to make the banal better so that people notice design more. He likes creating expensive furniture and perfume bottles just fine, but what really gets his juices going is the everyday: manhole covers, a cremation urn, disposable cigarette lighters, garbage bins, salt and pepper shakers, plastic pens. “I want American Standard to come to me to do the toilets for Home Depot,” he says.
In many ways Rashid is more like an itinerant industrial evangelist than a designer. He traveled 200 days last year. He claims to have been to every major mall in America, where he signs his products in high-end design stores and trolls about observing humans interacting with the objects around them. He has taught at design schools for more than a decade, and his work has been in 11 art shows in the past eight months. But mostly he has proselytized the corporate barbarians. And like any good missionary, he has learned to speak the language of his converts. One of the first things he does when he gets new clients is tour their factories to understand their manufacturing capacity. He also visits the retail outlets to see how the product might be displayed. And he really knows how to sell, especially himself. “I work with a guy in L.A.,” says Rashid, declining to name him. “He made a lot of really bad furniture. His business was hand-to-mouth. I proposed seven or eight projects. The pieces I’ve done for him have already become iconic.” The subtitle of his monograph, I Want to Change the World, is not ironic, just characteristically immodest.
“Most industrial-design studios try to interpret a client’s needs and come up with a style,” says Paul Rowan, co-founder of housewares manufacturer Umbra. “Karim has his own personal vision.” It helps that Rashid’s vision incorporates things that Rowan needs, like a design that will stack and ship easily and that creates little waste in the making.
Rashid’s father was a set designer for Canadian TV who rearranged the family furniture every Sunday. So perhaps it was ordained that Karim would grow up to become one of the pioneers in non-cheesy plastic, making objects that have energy and personality but aren’t wacky. He, like many of his generation, has championed the could-only-be-designed-with-computers blob. But his is not just a blob for its own sake. His Oh Chair...
Category
1990s Minimalist German Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
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