Eva Stæhr-Nielsen (1911–1976)
Vase, 1937-1949
Stoneware, Saxbo
In the summer of 1932, the potter Eva Stæhr-Nielsen arrived at the then relatively newly established Saxbo Pottery (1929–1968), where she was to do three months of volunteer service. After just two months of work, she began as a permanent employee, marking the beginning of a close collaboration with the founder and manager of Saxbo, the potter and chemical engineer Nathalie Krebs (1895–1978).
Saxbo was the first pottery in Denmark to work exclusively with stoneware. Its early production was characterised by utilitarian pieces in smaller formats with smooth surfaces and matte or semi-matte glazes. This small vase is a good example, produced in the years 1938–1951 after a design by Eva Stæhr-Nielsen.
The light, turquoise glaze with a mother-of-pearl sheen almost obscures the finely incised pattern of small y-like structures. The decoration does not affect the flow of glaze down across the shape. Conversely, the glaze introduces variety to the surface. However, this does not contradict the simple, organic lines that were also characteristic of Saxbo during this period.
Saxbo was the first pottery in Denmark to work exclusively with stoneware. Its early production was characterised by utilitarian pieces in smaller formats with smooth surfaces and matte or semi-matte glazes. This small vase is a good example, produced in the years 1938–1951 after a design by Eva Stæhr-Nielsen.
The light, turquoise glaze with a mother-of-pearl sheen almost obscures the finely incised pattern of small y-like structures. The decoration does not affect the flow of glaze down across the shape. Conversely, the glaze introduces variety to the surface. However, this does not contradict the simple, organic lines that were also characteristic of Saxbo during this period.