Designer Desire: Joan Carrillo Romero

Montage of Joan Carrillo ceramics

Joan Carrillo Romero was unknown to us until a couple of weeks ago when a vase of his was available at an auction we featured here on our blog.

Carrillo (b. 1948) is a ceramic artist who creates the most beautiful pottery items, especially vases. He hails from Campillos in Malaga, southern Spain. He studied drawing, painting and engraving at the School of Fine Arts in Olot, Girona. After graduating, his career began with a year working at the workshop of the capuchin Marià Vayreda. The following year – 1969 – he moved on to the workshop of the Serra brothers in Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona.

In 1971, he set up his own workshop in the farmhouse where he lived in Riudaura, Girona. At the end of that decade, he co-founded the Cooperativa de Ceramistas Coure in Olot.

He has exhibited his work across Europe and in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

On the odd occasion, vintage Joan Carrillo pieces become available for sale at auction and on eBay and Etsy.

Portrait of ceramicist, Joan Carrillocredit

Additional image credits:
1st Dibs | Incollect | Ledondufel | Pamono

Auction alert: Modern & 20th Century Arts, Vintage Fashion and Textiles

Vintage Danish handmade wooden rocking horse by Kay Bojesen

Cotswold Auction‘s Modern & 20th Century Arts, Vintage Fashion and Textiles sale takes place
at their Cheltenham branch on Tuesday 9th Aug 2022, from 10am. There are 376 lots – a little bit of everything nice; vintage fashion, art glass, studio ceramics, mid century furniture and a good selection of fine art.

Bid live or leave bids via the Cotswold Auction’s website – Buyer’s premium of 22% +VAT with an online commission of 3%. Alternatively, bid via EasyLiveAuction or The Saleroom – check their websites for online commission charges.

The auctioneer doesn’t provide a packaging or shipping service – however, they recommend delivery companies on their website.

Alfred Daniels - Oil and alkyd on board "The Blue Boat, Hastings"

Lot 45: Alfred Daniels RBA RWA ARCA (1924-2015) Oil and alkyd on board
“The Blue Boat, Hastings”, coastal scene depicting fishermen fixing nets with blue boat in background, signed and dated 1994 lower left, bears Wood Hay Picture Gallery label verso, 54.5cm x 64cm and Wood Hay Picture Gallery Exhibition notes detailing the painting and an Alfred Daniels information pamphlet from Rona Gallery, London
Estimate: £500 – £800

Rosenthal Studio Line vase, bowl and plate

Lot 70: Rosenthal Studio Line
Porcelaine Noire “Goddess” bowl designed by Bjorn Wiinblad (h. 14.5cm, diam. 23.5cm), a Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad studio line vase from “1001 Nights” series (h. 22.5cm) and a Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad studio line dish from the “Aladdin and his Magic Lamp” series (3)
Estimate: £60 – £100

Bitossi Rimini Blu rectangular slab vase by Aldo Londi

Lot 121: Bitossi Rimini Blu rectangular slab vase by Aldo Londi
Signed “Italy” and numbered 727/21 to base (h. 22cm)
Estimate: £30 – £50

Orrefors clear crystal decanter designed by Edward Hald

Lot 132: Orrefors clear crystal decanter designed by Edward Hald
Of shouldered rectangular form with silver collar, signed and no’d to base, retains foil label (h.28.5cm) together with another Orrefors clear crystal decanter designed by Sven Palmqvist, long neck and faceted body, signed and no’d to base.  (h.33.5cm) (2)
Estimate: £50 – £80

V Nason & C. Murano glass model of a bull

Lot 134: V Nason & C. Murano glass model of a bull
In graduated brown colourway (height.14cm, length 23cm)
Estimate: £50 – £80

Mid-century rocket floor lamp

Lot 168: Mid-century rocket floor lamp
Possibly by Novoplast, teak tripod frame with fiberglass shade, 112cm high
Estimate: £50 – £80

Clark Eaton asymmetrical teak framed mirror

Lot 170: Clark Eaton asymmetrical teak framed mirror
Bears label verso, together with a rounded rectangular teak framed mirror (2)
Estimate: £30 – £50

Vintage Danish handmade wooden rocking horse by Kay Bojesen

Lot 176: Vintage Danish handmade wooden rocking horse by Kay Bojesen
1950/60s, stamped to base of seat “Kay Bojesen, Copyright, Denmark”, approx 47cm high (we named him ‘Slipnir, the name of Odin’s horse!)
Estimate: £200 – £400

Mary Quant orange wool mini dress

Lot 299: Mary Quant orange wool mini dress
Breast pocket, belt with circular buckle, full length sleeves, labelled Mary Quant’s Ginger Group, made in England, back zip fastening, one belt loop unstitched, invisible repair on the back close to the zip, a small hole to left shoulder and a little wear to the belt
Estimate: £80 – £120

French 1920's museum quality black net flapper dress

Lot 337: French 1920s museum quality black net flapper dress
Embroidered with tiny beads in pink, red, cream and black, with sequin edges sleeveless, no slip, scalloped hem – this dress was originally purchased by the vendor from Antiquarius in the Kings Road, SW3  in 1979 and has been in her collection ever since.
Estimate: £400 – £600

Designer Desire: Sarah Partridge

Montage of Sarah Partridge ceramic pieces

Sarah Partridge is a ceramic artist who moved to West Wales in 2017. She makes wonderful, organic pots and pieces. I especially love her lifelike conkers.

Sarah explains on her own website:

My work is sculptural and explores natural forms, where I am inspired by patterns and textures found in nature and landscapes.

Unfortunately, she hasn’t updated her website or social media accounts in a long time, so we don’t have any images of her recent work or news about the pottery workshops she runs.

Portrait of ceramic artist, Sarah Partridgecredit

All images © Sarah Partridge

Designer Desire: Prue Cooper

Montage of Prue Cooper slipware ceramic plates

I was looking at potter, Hannah McAndrew‘s Instagram feed recently and saw that she said she’s currently having a joint exhibition with Prue Cooper at Contemporary Ceramics in Bloomsbury, London.

That info spurred me on to go check out Prue’s work and I discovered another slipware genius. Her plates, platters and dishes are just beautiful; at the same time traditional and modern. Her colour palettes are unexpected and alluring. Many of her pieces have known and not so well known quotes written around the rim in the most beautiful calligraphy. Quotes by the likes of Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson and Gerard Winstanley on the subjects of love, life, food and more.

Prue Cooper is a member of The Art Workers’ Guild and the Craft Potters Association. Her work is available at Contemporary Ceramics, Gallery St Ives in Tokyo, Japan and on her own website. Prices range from around £90 up to £380. Check out her Instagram feed for other examples of her work.

My dishes are meant to be used and enjoyed; slip decorated press-moulded earthenware is an approachable and friendly medium. The designs reflect my view of life, celebrating friendship and the sharing of simple pleasures.

Portrait of Prue Coopercredit

All images: © Prue Cooper