Posted 12 years ago
cogito
(124 items)
A charming polychromed terracotta figural table lamp (circa 1900) featuring a sea maiden cresting a wave and holding a chambered nautilus shell, which acts as the lamp shade. Signed “J. Pilar, Rothneusiedl, Wien”, “Made in Austria”, “Reproduction Reserve” and numbered 285 above the stand, which references Johann Pilar's ceramic studio located in Oberlaa, a suburb of Vienna. The “Made in Austria” and “Reproduction Reserve” stamps indicates that this lamp was produced for export. The treatment of the maiden's feet peeking through the wave is particularly masterfully done in both form and coloring. Dimensions: 21.25"(H) x 7.25"(W).
Johann Pilar listed in the 1906 ceramics manufacturer directory, "Adressbuch der Keram-Industrie" (published by Verlag von Muller & Schmidt in Coburg):
“Pilar, Johann - Kunstterakottafabrik in Oberlaa (P.T.u.E.) bei Wien, Nieder-Oesterreich. -- Telegr.-Adr.: Pilar Oberlaa. Fabrikat und Export: Vasen, Busten, Figuren, ferner Wandbilder in Holzrahmen, Beleuchtungskorper, Spiegel, Uhren etc. -- Malerei. -- 50 Arbeiter -- Eigenes Musterlager in Wien VII, Breitegasse 26; Vertreter in Berlin SW., Ritterstrasse 45, R. Keiper. -- Zur Messe in Leipzig: Kaufhaus, Laden 11. -- Besteht seit 1898.”
Roughly translated, Johann Pilar studio ceramic works was formed in 1898 and had 50 workers. The studio/shop was located in Oberlaa; another suburb/division of Vienna (quite proximal to Rothneusiedl). Johann Pilar had representation of his wares, which included vases, busts, statutes murals, lamps, mirror, clocks, paintings, etc., in Berlin and also sold in Leipzig.
love it very nice
Love it !
Thanks, manikin. That one and mine are the same. ;)
It was exact one you bought ? oops sorry :-) Cogito . It is one of the most beautiful pieces I have seen . I love the sea shell as a wave and the woman . Just amazing ! I would cherish it for sure .
It is listed on foreign markets as: Jugendstil, Art Nouveau and Art Dèco 1900-10
No problem, Manikin. Couldn't wait to post her...
I would be excited to post her too ! Fab_u_lous !!!!
Hi cogito!
Just putting a few ideas down on paper. ;)
I was just wondering if it might be another letter rather than an "O" in front of Pilar? There was an Eva Pilar mentioned in Vienna in the 1881 at Mannswörth, on the south east of Vienna.
Rothneusiedl is a southern suburb of Vienna. It was an area quarried for clay used to produce tiles. There's a connection there with clay for sculpture. The "roth" (red) in the name perhaps refers to the red clay of the area.
"O Pilar" is the Portuguese term for "The Pillar".
There is also a connection there to The Virgem do Pilar in Zaragoza?
Could that be a title rather than an artist?
A pillar of water that the nymph is riding?
Or perhaps an architectural tower, the Jacob's ladder:
Simbolismo del pilar
http://www.corazones.org/maria/pilar.htm
Were there any Portuguese sculptors working in Vienna at the time?
I've also seen mention of the "Keramische Werkstätten Rothneusiedl Ges.m.b.H.“ in reference to George Karau in 1922 and in 1923 „Werkstätten Karau Kommanditgesellschaft“ in Wien und Rothneusiedl
http://www.architektenlexikon.at/de/273.htm
This George Karau was an architect and had had a spinal problem since a child.
Hi, Vetraio50! Great information. I wondered if the O.Pilar might be in reference to a "pillar," but then the use of Portuguese doesn't really jive with an Austrian origin (unless it was intended for export). The Keramische Werkstatten Rothneusiedl clue, however, is enticing. I'm going to start there. I also have a information request in with the listing expert to see if more data can be revealed. I find it hard to believe that something so detailed and probably produced in numbers would be lost to history in terms of its artist and origin. Thanks for the detective work! As with you, I love a mystery!
Hi cogito! Has it arrived yet?
I've continued on the search this morning.
I know now that Fritz Pohl did some work for Georg (George) Karau in three factories:
Werkstätten Karau-Wien, Kommanditgesellschaft (1919-1920)
Keramische Werkstätten Rothneusiedl Ges.m.b.H. (1922)
Werkstätten Karau Kommanditgesellschaft“ (1923 - 1926)
I've seen a Pierrot lamp base signed by Fritz Pohl (picture of signature) here:
http://www.tias.com/3452/PictPage/3923642422.html
Hi, vetraio50. It will be awhile. I really appreciate the sleuthing. I'm hoping for more detailed info from the auction house some time this week. Cheers!
Eureka! Found it! It's highly likely that the "O" references location, not the first name. I found a Johann Pilar listed in a 1906 ceramics manufacturer/dealer directory, "Adressbuch der Keram-Industrie: Enthaltend die Firmen der Fabriken fur Porzellan, Steingut, Fayence, Majolika, Siderolith, Terralith, feines Steinzeug, Oefen, Irdenwaren, Terrakotta, Fliesen, Mosaik, Steinzeug, Tonpfeifen, Tonund Schamottewaren, Graphitblocke und Schmeltztiegel, sowie die Porzellanmalereien in Deutschland und Oesterreich-Ungarn hit den Fabrikmarken" (published by Verlag von Muller & Schmidt in Coburg).
This awesome directory is available on Google Books has the following information for the only Pilar listed:
Pilar, Johann - Kunstterakottafabrik in Oberlaa (P.T.u.E.) bei Wien, Nieder-Oesterreich. -- Telegr.-Adr.: Pilar Oberlaa. Fabrikat und Export: Vasen, Busten, Figuren, ferner Wandbilder in Holzrahmen, Beleuchtungskorper, Spiegel, Uhren etc. -- Malerei. -- 50 Arbeiter -- Eigenes Musterlager in Wien VII, Breitegasse 26; Vertreter in Berlin SW., Ritterstrasse 45, R. Keiper. -- Zur Messe in Leipzig: Kaufhaus, Laden 11. -- Besteht seit 1898.
So, roughly from this directory entry, we learn that this lamp derived from the studio ceramic works of Johann Pilar, which was formed in 1898 and had 50 workers. The studio/shop was located in Oberlaa; another suburb/division of Vienna (quite proximal to Rothneusiedl). Johann Pilar had representation of his wares, which included vases, busts, statutes murals, lamps, mirror, clocks, paintings, etc., in Berlin and also sold in Leipzig.
Gotta love, Google Books!
'mazing! Well done!
The time period is right, too!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/vienna-austria-bronze-art-deco-nouveau-dutch-girl-wooden-shoes-sign-j-pilar-wien-/200697650217
Excellent taste as usual, cogito.
Excellent marks on a rare piece. Thank you for sharing them, cogito!
What a beauti piece, love the form!