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Goethe sculpture, Michael Powolny (Wiener Keramik, 1907)

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Recent comments113484 of 175229Bowl with incclusions. Karen Lise Krabbe, 2004.Wolverine favourites
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    Posted 9 years ago

    austrohung…
    (584 items)

    This amazing piece was found in our trip to Prague last Summer... and we did it in the most unexpected way, as we found this little passage while walking about the old part of the city. The passage gave place to an inner square, the square to an alley, the alley to a court... and just when we were about to exit to a main street we found this shop-window with amazing stuff on it. There were some Lötz items and some Wiener Werkstatte figurines, as well as some Czech cubist pottery!!! Wow, that was an amazing place to find. Expecting huge prices we entered and asked for some prices... Yes, the Lötz glass was expensive, too expensive, but surprisingly the ceramic stuff had quite affordable prices. The seller was kind and let us hold the glass items and so on... but I think she still had her doubts about us. Her face changed when I asked her for the price of “the Michael Powolny Goethe sculpture”... she genuinely seemed surprised anyone would know that! :) I didn't realized at the moment as I was pointing out to it and looking in its direction, but Carlos told me about her face: such huge eyes she opened he says!!!

    By the way, we tried to go back but couldn't find the passage, the square... no way! :)

    It stands 32 cm tall and is signed with the Wiener Keramik stamp and the MP signature for Michael Powolny (pic.2) and was produced in 1907, one of his most creative periods. we also think it belongs to one of the first editions, prior to the Wiener Keramik and Gmunder Keramik joint venture, as it only displays the Wiener Keramik logo. All the other Goethe sculptures we've been able to find online or on auction houses catalogues have both stamps, just like our powolny mirror from around 1913 (please take a look at http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/127765-mirror-frame-michael-powolny-wiener-ke?in=collection-2442)

    This sculpture, as others depicting people dressed in 19th Century fashions, was inspired by the Biedermeier style that was so admired by the members of the Wiener Werkstätte due to the simplicity of its furniture and silver designs. Goethe, due to his studies in Botanic sciences, and especially his work The Metamorphose of Plants, was surely admired by Powolny. Perhaps this is the reason why Goethe's figure is standing on a flowery green spot in this sculpture (see pic.2), and what an amazing shade of green it has!

    On pic.4 I've created a display of different views of the sculpture from different points of view. I love to walk around sculptures whenever I can -they're not always properly displayed, but placed agaisnt walls... so sad-, and I wanted you to see how graceful it looks from wherever you look at it... I hope I managed to achieve it.

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    Comments

    1. SEAN68 SEAN68, 9 years ago
      stunning and very beautiful as he is.... :)
    2. SEAN68 SEAN68, 9 years ago
      the last picture stunning!!
    3. austrohungaro austrohungaro, 9 years ago
      Thanks SEAN!!! I love you like both the sculpture and the picture!!! :)
    4. austrohungaro austrohungaro, 9 years ago
      Thanks AGH for your love!!!!
    5. SEAN68 SEAN68, 9 years ago
      Your very welcome austro!!! :)
    6. sklo42 sklo42, 9 years ago
      You are spoiling us with your wonderful posts and pictures! But please do continue!
    7. vetraio50 vetraio50, 9 years ago
      What an IMMACULATE ITEM !!!!
    8. vetraio50 vetraio50, 9 years ago
      That fourth photo creation is FABULOUS !!!!!
    9. austrohungaro austrohungaro, 9 years ago
      SKLO, JEWELS, MIKE and VET: thanks so so much for your love and nice comments :)

      I'll try and keep on doing the same, as far as you don't get bored with them! :)

      Thanks VET. You know a little bit of Photoshop is not a great deal for me... ;)
    10. racer4four racer4four, 9 years ago
      I agree with ALL of the others comments.
    11. cobaltcobold cobaltcobold, 9 years ago
      That's a nice story. You are really a Habsburgian!
    12. fledermaus fledermaus, 9 years ago
      Very Cool sculpture! We are heading off to Prague this summer. Can't wait!
    13. austrohungaro austrohungaro, 9 years ago
      Thanks everybody for yur love and kind comments: VIOLET, KAREN, BLUNDERBUSS, FORTAPACHE, ANTIQUEROSE, CORMORAN, COBALT, PATSEA, FLEDERMAUS, CINDB, NORDICAMAN and HUNTER!!!

      @FLEDERMAUS, you will absolutely love it! don't hesitate to write to me if you want some extra info about the city ;)
    14. kivatinitz kivatinitz, 9 years ago
      A dreamed momment when buying this beatiful sculpture, Your narrations seem to be taken from a film. Congratulations
    15. austrohungaro austrohungaro, 9 years ago
      Gracias KIVATINITZ!!! I guess we all dream of the moment when we find that special item we've been looking for for a long time :)

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