Nils Thorsson, c. 1960's Alumina-Royal Copenhagen's Artistic Director & Designer
I love the MCM fajance ceramics created under Nils Thorsson's leadership at Alumina-Royal Copenhagen, Denmark!
Even though this pottery was mass produced (in low volume), it still feels like one-off studio works. I buy Royal Copenhagen ceramics when I can for my home, and to sell them in my Etsy shop.
Born in Sweden, Nils Johan Thorvald Thorsson (1898-1975) began to apprentice at the Alumina Factory in Copenhagen, Denmark at the tender age of thirteen. In 1917 Thorsson gradated from the Royal Danish Academy. He excelled as a designer and went onto become Alumina Factory's Artistic Director in 1928, a post which he held for forty one years! Thorsson was the factory's most prolific designer with a keen eye for talent. When Alumina purchased Royal Copenhagen in 1949, Thorsson took over there as well as Artistic Director, leading a team of ultra-talented designers.
Nils Thorsson, c. 1960's Baca Series Tile
Nils Thorsson designed several production ranges for Alumina-Royal Copenhagen. Four lines in particular became tremendously popular: Solberg (1930's), Marselis (Alumina-1950's), Tenera (1960's), and Baca (1964- 70's). Tenera was a special line because of it's design diversity. Many of the motifs have the color blue in common, but the use of color, and texture, has some exquisite variations with each designer's work. Tenera's design team consisted of: Berte Jessen, Inge Lise-Koefoed, Marianne Johnson, Kari Christensen, Bethe Breyen, Grete Helland-Hansen & Johanne Gerber.
Marianne Johnson, c. 1960's Tenera Series decorative dish
Bethe Breyen, c. 1960's Tenera Series decorative dish
Berte Jessen, c. 1960's Tenera Series large rectangular vase
Bethe Breyen, c. 1960's Tenera Series decorative bowl
One of my favorite designers of this era was Johanne Gerber. She had such design diversity. On one hand she would create a floral, earthy batik style, on the other use bold, graphic imagery- my favorite- which has become very popular with modern design collectors.
Johanne Gerber, c. 1960's "Blue Forest"- Tenera Series decorative dish
Johanne Gerber, c. 1960's Tenera Series decorative covered dish
Johanne Gerber, c. 1960's Tenera Series decorative tile
Johanne Gerber, c. 1960's Tenera Series decorative dish iconic apple design!
With Baca, Thorsson's own design motifs ranged from naturalistic to abstrasct and even geometric. This line had a lot of complexity in design and relief within the glazing. Tenera & Baca were Alumina-Royal Copenhagen's most popular lines. Thorsson also worked with several other designers at Royal Copenhagen, including Ellen Malmer & Ivan Weiss, whose work explored nature motifs.
Most of the works are marked "fajance" which is a term for hand painted ceramic. The Alumina Factory dropped its name in 1969 and became Royal Copenhagen.
Nils Thorsson, c. 1964 Baca Series decorative dish Nils Thorsson, c. 1964 Baca tall vase
Today, the look of Royal Copenhagen's Mid Century fajance designs are coveted and copied. They, like many design creations to come from Scandinavia, have become Mid Century iconic. I find these pieces a great way to get beautiful design accents for what is still a very reasonable cost.
Ivan Weiss, c. 1970's Royal Copenhagen decorative dish
Ellen Malmer, c. 1970's Royal Copenhagen large decorative dish
If you would love to own a piece of Royal Copenhagen fajance ceramic, I have several for sale in my Etsy shop. Please click on the link to see:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/etnaStreetModern
Comments