As both a designer and a teacher, the Austrian ceramicist and glassware designer Michael Powolny was an important figure in the development of modernist aesthetics in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century. His romantic sculptural pottery figures embrace the lush, dynamic stylings of Gustav Klimt and other progressive artists, while his functional pieces — such as glass bowls and vases — employ the simple linear and geometric ornamentation that marked the work of Josef Hoffmann and other members of the Wiener Werkstätte community of designers and craftsmen.
Powolny received classical training in ceramics from his father, a potter, and at the Vienna School of Applied Arts, but later joined in the modernizing movement in the Austrian arts at the close of the 19th century. In 1897, Klimt, Hoffman, Koloman Moser and other artists and architects founded the Vienna Secession, a group that fought for freedom of expression against the city’s tradition-bound arts establishment. Powolny’s work reflects the changing times. He used classical figures in his ceramics — female nudes, cherubs — yet would dress them in modern ornament such as garlands of abstract, geometric flowers. Pieces from Powolny’s ceramics company were sold through the Wiener Werkstätte (Viennese Workshops) founded by Hoffmann and Moser, and Hoffman later hired Powolny to create ceramic ornamentation for his architectural masterpiece, the Palais Stoclet in Brussels.
Powolny would go on to design glassware that combines elegant, tapering forms with precise linear decoration. His most influential work may have come as a professor at the School of Applied Arts, where he taught both Lucie Rie, the great Austrian-British modernist ceramicist, and the American potter Viktor Schreckengost, creator of the “Jazz Bowl,” an icon of the Streamline Moderne design. As you will see from the items on offer, Michael Powolny’s works have a double appeal: in their sprightly, endearing forms and as artifacts that document a period of signal change in the history of modern arts and crafts.
Goldscheider Vienna Putto With Grapes, 'Autumn', Powolny Style, Circa 1922
By Goldscheider Manufactory of Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Very Rare Goldscheider Figure of the early 1920: Naked putto in a wide stance, curly hair, holding a bunch of blue grapes aloft in his right hand, in his left hand at his hip more gr...
Ceramic
'Spring', Putto With Flowers, by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1910-1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent and rare Art Nouveau ceramic piece from a series of the four seasons: Naked putto in a wide striding position, his blond head tilted to the left and holding a cascade of fl...
Ceramic
Michael Powolny Art Nouveau Vienna Centrepiece with Three Cherubs, circa 1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Michael Powolny Art Nouveau centrepiece with three cherubs - most lovely ceramics item! Modelled by Michael Powolny (1871 - 1954), circa 1907. Hallmarked: Manufactured by Wiener Keramik (Vienna Ceramics) (WK / hallmarked). Material is ceramics (multicolored painted / glossy finish). Model 113 (model number is impressed / bottom glazed) Monogram of "Michael Powolny (MP)" is impressed, too. Made 1912. ________________________________________________________________________________ Subject: Most lovely three naked male cherub's figurines holding a round plate attached to their heads / the mentioned plate is blue painted at bottom side / the surface of tiered round socle is partially moss green shaded. ________________________________________________________________________________ Height: 21.0 cm (= 8.66 inches) Diameter of platter: 24.5 cm (= 9.64 inches) ________________________________________________________________________________ Bibliography: Waltraud Neuwirth, Markenlexikon für Kunstgewerbe (3), Wiener Keramik / Modelle 1906-13; pages 100-101 Elisabeth Frottier, "Michael Powolny, Keramik und Glas aus Wien 1900-1950", Vienna 1990, page 200, List of Work (= Werkverzeichnis) number W 113 (WV 61), Model 113 ________________________________________________________________________________ Experts of Fine Arts assess Michael Powolny's work nowadays as result of activity of one the most important ceramics sculptors / designers of Austrian Art Nouveau. Most of Powolny's successors were strongly under his sway since Powolny had left 'large steps' in Viennese Art of Ceramics. Excellent condition. ____________________________________________________________________________________ About Michael Powolny (Sculptor). As both a designer and a teacher, the Austrian ceramicist and glassware designer Michael Powolny was an important figure in the development of modernist aesthetics in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century. His romantic sculptural pottery figures embrace the lush, dynamic stylings of Gustav Klimt and other progressive artists, while his functional pieces — such as glass bowls and vases — employ the simple linear and geometric ornamentation that marked the work of Josef Hoffmann and other members of the Wiener Werkstätte Community of designers and craftsmen. Powolny received classical training in ceramics from his father, a potter, and at the Vienna School of Applied Arts, but later joined in the modernizing movement in the Austrian arts at the close of the 19th century. In 1897, Klimt, Hoffman, Koloman Moser and other artists and architects founded the Vienna Secession, a group that fought for freedom of expression against the city’s tradition-bound arts establishment. Powolny’s work reflects the changing times. He used classical figures in his ceramics — female nudes, cherubs — yet would dress them in modern ornament such as garlands of abstract, geometric flowers. Pieces from Powolny’s ceramics company were sold through the Wiener Werkstätte (Viennese Workshops) founded by Hoffmann and Moser, and Hoffman later hired Powolny to create ceramic ornamentation for his architectural masterpiece, the Palais Stoclet in Brussels. Powolny would go on to design glassware that combines elegant, tapering forms with precise linear decoration. His most influential work may have come as a professor at the School of Applied Arts, where he taught both Lucie Rie, the great Austrian-British modernist ceramicist, and the American potter Viktor Schreckengost, creator of the “Jazz Bowl...
Ceramic
Expressive Ceramic Figurine, Cupid, By Walter Bosse, Kufstein, Austria 1924-1936
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Figure of a standing, curly-haired Cupid, a stylized interpretation of ancient models, at his feet a large heart pierced by an arrow, resting on a small, domed round pedestal. Red ea...
Porcelain
Large Putto As An Indian, by Michael Powolny, Sommerhuber Austria, 1925-1930
By Sommerhuber Keramik Steyr Co., Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent ceramic piece in the tradition of Michael Powolny: Standing putto, dressed only in a short-sleeved vest and belt, with a feather crown on his blond curls, a small bow and q...
Ceramic
Large Meissen Art Nouveau Figure, Flora with Cupids, by Emmerich Oehler, ca 1913
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare Art Nouveau Figurine Group by Meissen: Monumental figure of Flora, taking a step forward in dance and holding large, heavy flower garlands of yellow roses, which are wrapped with a blue bow, in hands. The hair of the female nude is artfully tied into a striped cloth, which is held together by blue ribbons and is decorated with leaf branches over the ears. On her left shoulder she carries a naked boy who is holding in an upside down position a golden wreath...
Porcelain
Ceramic 'Autumn' Putto by Michael Powolny for Gmundner Keramische Werkstatte
By Michael Powolny
Located in Brisbane, QLD
A large and rare ceramic monochromatic putto holding grapes (Autumn from "The Four Seasons") by Austrian designer Michael Powolny for Gmundner Keramische Werkstatte. First designed b...
Ceramic
Michael Powolny Four Seasons Putti Sculpture, Glazed Ceramic, 1906
By Wiener Keramik Werkstätte, Michael Powolny
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
four seasons Putti, Michael Powolny, Wiener Keramik, ca. 1906 Michael Powolny's renowned design is one of the most famous example of Jugendstil ceramics. They were produced by Wiene...
Ceramic
Porcelain Figure "Baby with Apple" by Gorodnitsky Porcelain factory, 1920 - 1934
Located in Rīga, LV
Porcelain figure "Baby with apple", Gorodnitsky porcelain factory, Ukraine (USSR), village Gorodnitsa, 1920 - 1934 Additional Information: Materials: Porcelain, underglaze hand p...
Porcelain
Bronze Sculpture “Putti with a Bunch of Grapes” Signed M. Barbier
Located in Marbella, ES
A patinated bronze sculpture depicting three cherubs or putti gathered around a bountiful bunch of grapes, a clear allusion to Bacchic iconography and the symbolism of abundance. The...
Marble, Bronze
1910s Rosenthal Putto & Monkey Porcelain Sculpture by Ferdinand Liebermann
By Rosenthal, Ferdinand Liebermann
Located in Vienna, AT
An unusual porcelain figurine displaying a putto being deloused by a monkey. This figurine was created by the German designer Ferdinand Liebermann in 1910 and manufactured Rosenthal ...
Porcelain
1900s Rosenthal Putto Monkey Porcelain Sculpture, Ferdinand Liebermann, Germany
By Rosenthal, Ferdinand Liebermann
Located in Vienna, AT
An unusual porcelain figurine displaying a putto being deloused by a monkey. This figurine was created by the German designer Ferdinand Liebermann in 1910 and manufactured Rosenthal ...
Porcelain
