Nils Thorsson – A glazed stoneware “Baca” vase – Aluminia, Denmark ca. 1965 1962 - 1969

Nils Thorsson

StoneGlazeStonewarePaint
20 ⨯ 15 ⨯ 10 cm
ConditionGood
Currently unavailable via Gallerease

Van Kerkhoff Art

• About the artwork
  A stoneware vase decorated with yellow stylised birds on a tactile brown glazed surface.
  
  Both the decoration (model 714) as the form of this vase (model 3223) was designed by Nils Thorsson and was executed by the Danish ceramics factory Aluminia in the 1960’s.
  
  This object is a rare early example of the highly succesful “Baca” series. The design group led by Nils Thorsson were responsible for the hugely popular “Tenara” and “Baca” earthenware series produced by Aluminia and Royal Copenhagen between 1962 and 1984.
  
  There were 10 décor designers who each had their own monogram stamped underneath each piece. In the Baca series these monograms were placed within a circle hence the name Baca (Baca translates into round fruit / berry from Latin).
  
  Most of the form were designed by Nils Thorsson and a special glazing technique was developed by him so every piece turned out slightly different, giving a unique appearance.
  
  It is fully stamped underneath: Alumina – Denmark (A with 3 waves), 714/3223 (decoration and model number), Nils Thorsson stamp in ring, and “EL” painters / decorator initials.
  
  
  
  About Nils Thorsson
  Nils Johan Thorvald Thorsson (Eslöv, Sweden 1898 – Copenhagen 1975) was a Danish ceramic artist and designer, best known for his work with the Royal Copenhagen porcelain factory. Thorsson showed an early interest in art and ceramics. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and later worked as a painter before joining Royal Copenhagen in 1928.
  
  Thorsson’s career at Royal Copenhagen spanned several decades, and he played a significant role in the development of the company’s artistic direction. He became the artistic director of Royal Copenhagen in 1949, a position he held until 1975. During his tenure, he contributed to the design of numerous iconic pieces, including his well-known Baca and Marselis collections.
  
  Nils Thorsson was known for his innovative approach to ceramics, experimenting with glazes, forms, and decorations. His designs often combined traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, reflecting the mid-century modern style prevalent during his era.
  
  In addition to his work at Royal Copenhagen, Thorsson also collaborated with other Danish ceramic companies, such as Aluminia, where he created the popular Tenera series.
  
  Nils Thorsson’s contributions to the world of ceramics earned him recognition and acclaim. His pieces are collected by enthusiasts and are considered valuable examples of mid-century Danish design. Nils Thorsson passed away in 1975, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and influential ceramic art.
  
  Works by Nils Thorsson are in the collections of the Art Industry Museum in Copenhagen, The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the National Museum in Stockholm and the Ceramics Museum in Faenza among other.
  
  
  Marked
  Stamp-marked underneath the base: Aluminia-mark, Denmark, 715/3223 (decoration number and modelnumber), Nils Thorsson monogram in ring.
  
  Execution
  Aluminia, Denmark 1960's
  
  Condition
  This object is in good condition. No cracks or chips.
  
  Literature
  Baca catalogue, Copenhagen 1973
  
  Dimensions
  Height 20,5 cm
  Width 15,8 cm
  Depth 10,7 cm
• About the artist

  Nils Johan Thorvald Thorsson (1898–1975), a Swedish-Danish ceramic artist and designer, left an indelible mark on the world of ceramics through his extensive and innovative work with Royal Copenhagen. Celebrated for his contributions to mid-century Danish modernism, Thorsson's designs are highly regarded in the realm of ceramic art.

  Born in Eslöv, Sweden, in 1898, Thorsson embarked on his journey into ceramics at the tender age of thirteen, apprenticing at the Alumina Factory in Copenhagen. His education continued at the Royal Danish Academy, from which he graduated in 1917.

  By 1928, Thorsson had risen to the position of Artistic Director at Alumina, a role he would passionately fulfill for the next forty-one years. His leadership extended through the merger of Alumina and Royal Copenhagen in 1949, where he continued as Artistic Director, guiding a team of distinguished designers such as Bethe Breyen, Kari Christensen, Johanne Gerber, Grete Helland-Hansen, Berte Jessen, Marianne Johnson, Inge Lise-Koefoed, Ellen Malmer, and Ivan Weiss.

  Thorsson's design portfolio is characterized by its thematic diversity, ranging from naturalistic depictions of birds, fish, and butterflies to abstract and geometric patterns. His tenure at Royal Copenhagen was marked by prolific creativity, contributing to at least five of the company's most celebrated production lines.

  These include the Solberg series from the 1930s; the Marselis series by Alumina in the 1950s, designed to be both elegant and affordable for everyday use; the Tenera and Baca series from the 1960s, known for their intricate relief patterns; and the Diana series from the 1970s.

  Thorsson's personal touch is evident in many of these collections, with both the Baca and Tenera series featuring forms he designed himself, while others were collaborative efforts. His signature cypher marks the base of his designs, a testament to his craftsmanship.

  Thorsson's legacy continued beyond his passing in 1975 in Copenhagen, with his mid-century earthenware designs remaining highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of vintage ceramics. His work not only exemplifies the pinnacle of Danish modernism in ceramics but also continues to inspire and captivate those who appreciate the beauty and functionality of well-designed earthenware.

   

   

   

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