Iconic Danish MCM Design: Arne Bang, Own Studio, Massive Bowl,  Grey Blue Glaze

Description

Iconic Danish MCM Design: Arne Bang, Own Studio, Massive Bowl,  Grey Blue Glaze
Arne Bang (1901-83) is one of the most important figures in 20
th
Century Danish design.
The first important artistic influence in Arne Bang’s life must have been his parents. Arne Bang was one of three children of the painter Hans Peter Carl Christian Bang
(1868-1950)
and Bertha Johanne Schou (1875-1954); his sister Edel (1898-1978) became a professional ballet dancer, while his older brother Jacob Ejler Bang (1899-1965) was the famous architect and glass designer.
After the early influence of his father, Arne Bang’s artistic talent was then shaped by his teachers. As an apprentice to Niels Hansen in 1917-19, Arne began to develop his skills as a sculptor, which defined his subsequent work in all media, including stoneware.  An even greater influence on his life and art was his professor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts— Einar Utzon-Frank (1888-1955)— where he enrolled as a sculpture student in 1920.
After spending five years at the Academy (1920-25), Arne Bang left to undertake other artistic endeavors before returning to complete his studies under Utzon-Frank in 1928-29. His final project was the sculpture "A Fallen Warrior", for which he later received a rare gold medal in 1932, which remains one of the works for which Arne Bang is best known in Denmark.
In addition to his studies at the Academy and two trips to Paris (1923 and 1925), Arne Bang also sought out other experiences in the 1920s to begin to apply his training as a sculptor to the ceramic arts. By far, the most influential experience during this period were the years (1926-28) spent with Carl Halier (1873-1948) operati
ng a joint workshop in Fredricksberg known as Copenhagen Stentøjsbrænderi (KSB).
In 1928, Jacob Bang accepted a permanent position at Holmegaard Glassworks, where he was to remain as Artistic Director until 1941. Upon completion of his studies at the Royal Academy in 1929, Arne Bang was invited to join Holmegaard to begin a stoneware line, and a kiln was constructed for him in the glassworks. Bang initially took up residence in factory housing and was to spend the rest of his life in Fensmark, to which he developed a deep attachment, leaving behind his youth in Fredriksberg.
Once established at Holmegaard, Arne Bang quickly began to design and produce stoneware in the style for which he remains so well known today. During the first half of the 1930s, his work drew increasing critical acclaim and commercial success for Holmegaard.
Beginning around 1938, Arne Bang began to more clearly establish himself as an independent stoneware artist, gradually separating himself from Holmegaard Glassworks, and already producing under his own signature. This is reflected in the announcement for his exhibition that year which, unlike previous years, featured his name without reference to Holmegaard. In 1941, Jacob Bang left Holmegaard and moved to Copenhagen, and by 1943 he had become Artistic Director at
Nymølle ceramics factory in Lyngby.
Upon his brother’s departure from Fensmark, Arne Bang moved his family to the house that Jacob Bang had built next to the rectory.
In multiple ways, the year 1937 marked one of the high points of Arne Bang’s career. I
n his exhibition that year, the ribbed stoneware which is instantly recognizable as Arne Bang’s work emerged as an evolution of his earlier, more organic style.
By 1948, Arne Bang had completely separated his production as a business from Holmegaard Glassworks, although he continue to work on factory premises until 1953, when he built his own workshop
at Christian Winthersvej in Fensmark. Over the course of the 1930s, the signature on Arne Bang’s stoneware evolved from the stylized “HG” for Holmegaard GlassWorks to the stylized “AB” which appears on most of his stoneware output.
The piece for auction here is an uncommonly large stoneware bowl, perfect as a centerpiece for any table, produced by Arne Bang in his own workshop circa 1940s. The glaze on this piece is a subtle blue/grey one used by Bang during this period. This large piece is very well marked with Arne Bang's hand-painted stylized "AB" monogram and Model Number (105). The dimensions of this massive piece are a little more than 13 inches across and a bit less than 2.25 inches high. This bowl is in excellent original condition, with only the small glaze imperfections from the firing that are characteristic of Bang's work. See photos more more details on the condition of this exceptional piece, which would be rare addition to any collection of Danish stoneware.
All shipping is by USPS insured Priority mail, and great care will be taken with packing this large, heavy and valuable piece. A flat rate shipping charge of applies to this listing. Flat shipping rate applies only to U.S. buyers. International buyers will pay higher actual shipping costs and should inquire
prior to bidding.
About the seller: I have been collecting art pottery for more than 30 years. The bulk of my collection is Danish stoneware from the 1920s into the 1970s. The bulk of my Danish collection consists of Arne Bang, Saxbo, Jais Nielsen, Nils Thorsson, Erik Hjorth, and Ejvind Nielsen. I have done extensive research on these and other artists and workshops and would be happy to share that with interested buyers. I also have substantial collections of American, French, Belgian and other 20th century northern European art pottery. Over the coming months I will be listing a wide range of pieces from my collection. Please check out my other listings and add me to your list of saved sellers to receive notification of new
listings.