This publication explores the extraordinary beauty of Chinese glazes through the classically inspired works of Royal Copenhagen stoneware studio, created between the 1930s and 1970s.
The deeply luminous, finely textured glazes of classic Chinese ceramics have long been fascinating to experts and collectors. At firing temperatures of 1300° C, the ceramic body and the glaze are fused together into a new materiality of great aesthetic and emotional power. Their extraordinary beauty is illustrated by way of the classically inspired works of the Royal Copenhagen stoneware studio, created between the 1930s and 1970s. For the first time, the range of the various glaze effects is approached from the perspective of intensive, decades-long personal interaction with these objects. Chemical formulas and technical terms have been deliberately avoided. The catalogue section has been divided into 13 parts, each dealing with one particular kind of glaze, preceded by a short introductory description. The main section is dedicated to the magical aspects of glazes. It goes into the causes of the optical and haptic effects, so too the significance of nature as a model. The decorative potential of technical deviations is also explored, as well as the formation of contrasts and, finally, the physical tension between the ceramic body and the glaze. Artists’ signatures and date codes are part of the addendum.
Introduction
Material and Processing 10
Stoneware or Porcelain? 15
Inspiration from Classic China 16
Nils Thorsson and the Stoneware Department after 1932 18
Focusing on Four Decades 22
The Role of the Photographs 24
Catalogue The Classic Glazes
from Royal Copenhagen
Celadon 28
Olivine 38
Temmoku 48
Temmoku Plus 64
Chün yao 74
Oxblood, Copper Red 88
Iron Red 98
Blanc de Chine 104
Brush Decoration 108
Solfatara 114
Iron Brown 124
Other Glazes 138
Jungle Series 148
The Magic of Ceramic Glazes
Optical and Haptic Effects 156
Nature as a Guideline 160
Perfection and Decorative Coincidence 162
Colour Contrasts 1 The Intrinsic Dynamics of Glazes 166
Colour Contrasts 2 The Effects on Rims and Edges 171
Tensions 176
Appendix
Importance on a Small Scale: The Miniatures 182
High-Fired Ceramics 184
Ways of Approaching 186
On the Practice of Signing 187
The Ceramic Artists and their Signatures 190
Bronze Fittings 192
Dating Codes 193
Selected Literature 196
Thanks, Postscript 198
Imprint 200
Jörg Schwandt is a collector, author, and former gallerist. He has published extensively on German applied arts, Danish silver, and Danish silver jewellery. Collecting and exploring Danish artist stoneware for well over 50 years, the author now reveals the exceptional, almost overwhelming aesthetic properties of ceramic glazes inspired by classic Chinese traditions.
