Designer Desire: Peter Guggenbühler

Selection of Peter Guggenbühler ceramic designs for Altenstadt

Sometimes, it’s when you’re researching something completely unrelated that a titbit of information comes your way!

That was the case when I discovered that it was Peter Guggenbühler (1928-2007) who was responsible for the series of porcelain decanters for Altenkunstadt that we sold in the past (shown at the top of our montage above).

As well as the decanters, he designed the Das Variabile range of stylised animal figures. They each have detachable stained wood and ceramic eyes and each was given a name:

  • AJAX & BEJAX
  • Lion – “Zottl”
  • Alligator – “Fafnir”
  • Rabbit – “Guggi”
  • Owl – “Huhu”
  • Snail – Schlurf”
  • Frog – “Herr Q”
  • Cat – “Killer”
  • Hippo – “Hippo”
  • Crow – Krah”

In addition he has created vases, wall plaques and small-scale sculptures.

In 2014, there was a posthumous exhibition of his work at Landesmuseum in Karlsruhe, Germany. It was entitled “Vom Umgang mit Porzellan, Elefanten und anderen Kreaturen – der Keramiker Peter Guggenbühler” which roughly translates as “The handling of porcelain, elephants and other creatures – the ceramist Peter Guggenbühler”. Here’s how the marketing material described it:

In its spring exhibition, the Staufen Ceramics Museum commemorates Peter Guggenbühler (1928-2008), who, after initial successes in Saarbrücken, returned to his hometown of Karlsruhe in 1961 and was one of the most respected representatives of his field in Baden-Württemberg in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Of course he didn’t behave like the proverbial elephant in a china shop, he loved the material too much for that. But he has thoroughly confused the expectations associated with porcelain. Instead of pleasing figures, he has all sorts of bizarre creatures that are clearly descended from elephants, crocodiles, rats and various horned and antlered animals, but which clearly show human traits and behaviour.
In addition to small sculptures, Guggenbühler created reliefs and tiles in which he opened up other venues for human comedy, such as theatres and pulpits. An artist with exuberant imagination who is worth rediscovering!

Check Etsy for items occasionally popping up for sale.

Price Points: Rustic artworks

Rustic artworks

I’m on the look out for something very, very particular to hang on a wall in our dining room – rustic artworks. It’s probably the most niche thing I’ve ever featured here on our blog.

We have lots of paintings, prints and other wall hangings that we brought with us from our old house. Unfortunately, very few of them suit the décor of this cottage. They’re either too modern, too colourful or the subject matter doesn’t sit well in this setting.

I want one or more rustic home fare, still life artworks. To explain, the subject matter needs to be rustic food in the home; either eating it, preparing & cooking it or simply just set out as a vignette. It can’t show a lavish spread or feast, that would be out of keeping with our humble cottage.

Secondly, I’d like the scene to appear as though it could be located in rural Wales (I told you it was niche!). It can’t look like it’s in the Mediterranean with olives and vine tomatoes or somewhere even more tropical with a bowl of mangoes, bananas and pineapples in a fruit bowl. Similarly, something obviously in a town or city wouldn’t look right.

Thirdly, I want it to appear as though it’s set in the early 19th century or earlier. No electric lights, kitchen appliances or other modern trappings.

One of the three (I’m sure you can work out which it is) on my shortlist ticks every one of my boxes. But I think it would look really twee and obvious – what do you think?

  1. La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster (1744-1818): £5.95 – £62.95, PosterLounge
    The original oil painting is held in a private collection in Paris.
  2. Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper (1866-1942): £10 – £90
    The original watercolour is in the permanent collection of National Museum Wales
  3. Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade (1610-1685): $219 – $1,797.00
    The original oil painting is in the permanent collection of Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister – Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

shop rustic artworks

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
$219 - $1,797.00
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
£10 - £90
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
£5.95 - £62.95
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
$219 - $1,797.00
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
£10 - £90
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
£5.95 - £62.95
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
$219 - $1,797.00
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
£10 - £90
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
£5.95 - £62.95
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
$219 - $1,797.00
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
£10 - £90
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
£5.95 - £62.95
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
Two Peasants Feasting by Adriaen van Ostade
$219 - $1,797.00
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
Market Day in Old Wales by Sydney Curnow Vosper
£10 - £90
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
La Soupière Blanche (The White Soup Tureen) by Anne Vallayer-Coster
£5.95 - £62.95

Why more consumers are investing in garden rooms Brighton companies are offering

Why more consumers are investing in garden rooms Brighton companies are offering

Like many people, you may have less usable space in your home than you actually need. However, if you have a large outdoor area, you can take advantage of the garden rooms Brighton companies are offering. These comfortable, functional structures are easy to put up. Best of all, they can be rich with features and elements that perfectly support your hobbies, daily activities and lifestyle. Following are just a few of the many reasons why these buildings are becoming increasingly popular among Brighton residents.

You don’t need special planning permissions to put up a reasonably-sized garden room. This is a project that you can undertake with minimal effort and spend. You simply need a flat, level surface for the foundation. Many companies will use pour-in-place concrete pads to create this foundation. If you have construction skills of your own, you can make this a do-it-yourself project to save cash.

Some of the top room designs come already made and ready to assemble. There’s no need to measure and cut wood, build your own framing, or engage in other basic building activities. There are a number of ready-made styles to choose from including options that are ideal for outdoor offices, outdoor gyms and entertaining. Your structure can be as ornate or basic as you want it to be. Best of all, you can regularly revise and update it as your needs and preferences change.

Although many people in the area are used to seeing very basic structures being put up in gardens, there are actually affordable options that look like modern, mini-homes. Some products are wired for electricity, and others have built-in heating and cooling systems. With these, people can enjoy their garden rooms year-round. Whether the outside weather becomes excessively hot or excessively cool, they’ll always have comfortable ambient temperatures in their garden rooms.

You can even choose options that have built-in gas fireplaces or fireplace inserts. This is a great way to create a quiet, peaceful sanctuary for your personal relaxation or hobbies. If you have a busy, bustling household and want to go somewhere quiet to watch television, read a book or work on your computer, you’ll always have a private space in your garden. With large windows and sliding screen doors, these structures will additionally allow you to enjoy the aesthetics of your foliage, flowers and other landscaping elements.

Structures like these add significant value and appeal to properties. Once they’re put in, they’ll remain as permanent and aesthetically beautiful fixtures in gardens. Should you ever choose to sell your home, you’ll easily be able to recoup your investment. With secondary buildings, properties put on the market don’t take long to capture the attention of suitable buyers.

If you don’t have sufficient space for entertaining indoors, you can choose a larger room design. Some of the top options are big enough to fit sofas, tables, gaming equipment, flat screen televisions and more. They’re perfect for watching sports with friends, hosting impromptu meetings with business associates and even hosting unexpected overnight guests. Although they lack bathroom and cooking facilities, the addition of electricity and heating make them ideal for short-term stays.

With more people working from home, these products make it infinitely easier for consumers to create their own functional office spaces. People can set up desks and computers, and they can even choose options that are large enough for hosting clients or stakeholders. Whether you’re telecommuting or starting a business of your own, this is a great way to get a sophisticated space that makes staying on-task easy.

There’s currently no easier or more affordable way to add on to a home. These free-standing structures are covered, heated, wired, and rich with features that can support a very vast range of lifestyle preferences and needs. If aesthetics are a major concern, you can also choose from a delightful array of eye-catching lighting fixtures, appliances and other indoor elements. You don’t have to spend a veritable fortune to get a cosy, inviting space that you enjoy using and that you’re always proud to show off. With multiple room sizes to choose from and countless ways to leverage these products, more locals are choosing to make them permanent fixtures on their Brighton properties and with truly outstanding returns on investment.

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Auction alert: Silverdale Salesroom Auction

Large Jacob Hull silver plated tigers eye set starburst pendant & collar

Today, we’re shining our Auction Alert light on Silverdale Salesroom Auction: A two-day auction of 20th century British Pottery, Jewellery, Watches, Chess Pieces, Oriental Items, Collectors Items, Household Items, Antique & Quality Furniture.

The first lot that jumped out at me from this sale was the Jacob Hull starburst  pendant and collar (above). It’s very similar to the one Justin bought me a few years ago.

The sale is being held by Potteries Auctions Ltd in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire. There are a total of 1,286 lots over the two days:

  • 13th May 2022 from 10am
  • 14th May 2022 from 10am

Bid live via EasyLiveAuction or The Saleroom.com ; in addition, you can leave commission bids with the auctioneers by emailing them.

They are willing to post your winning lots. UK charges are as follows:

  • Up to 2kg inclusive of VAT & packing: £18.00
  • 2kg to 10kg inclusive of VAT & packing: £35.00

Contact them if international postage will be needed. Alternatively, clients can make their own arrangements. They offer insurance at a cost of 5% of the goods value. Items will not be covered for loss or damage without insurance.

Guinness brewing worldwide 1995 advertising figure

Lot 26e: Guinness brewing worldwide 1995 advertising figure
Estimate: £25 – £50

Two Shelley trios

Lot 447: Two Shelley trios
Dainty floral handled 11993 yellow green shaded trio and a Vogue shaped 11747 Art Deco trio. Both cups have hairline cracks. (2)
Estimate: £50 – £100

Longines stainless steel 1950s gents wristwatch

Lot 635: Longines stainless steel 1950s gents wristwatch
Pie pan style dial with leather bracelet
Estimate: £300 – £600

Two small wooden chests of drawers

Lot 654: Two small wooden chests of drawers
Estimate: £15 – £30

Large Jacob Hull silver plated tigers eye set starburst pendant & collar

Lot 699: Large Jacob Hull silver plated tigers eye set starburst pendant & collar
Pendant measures 62cm wide
Estimate: £20 – £40

Three retro wooden deck chairs

Lot 781: Three retro wooden deck chairs (3)
Estimate: £20 – £40

A collection of boxed Pirelli advertising calendars

Lot 837: A collection of boxed Pirelli advertising calendars
Dated 1984, 1987, 1985 & Unipart branded similar items (4)
Estimate: £50 – £100

A collection of novelty Mothers Pride items including : salt & pepper pots, fridge magnets kitchen utensils & brass weight

Lot 1145: A collection of novelty Mothers Pride items
Including : salt & pepper pots, fridge magnets kitchen utensils & brass weight
Estimate: £20 – £40

Boxed set of six Babycham party glasses

Lot 1193: Boxed set of six Babycham party glasses
Estimate: £25 – £50