Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 139, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Figure

ca. 1910 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Majolika-Manufaktur was established in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 1901. Its two owners were both painters: Wilhelm Süs had set up a ceramic studio at Kronberg for the manufacture of majolica in Italian renaissance style, while Hans Thoma had started ceramic production in 1895. The Karlsruhe venture was financed by Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden. With a new business manager from 1908 production became more ambitious and escalated. As well as smaller ornamental wares such as this table centre, they made large scale architectural wares for parks, gardens and cemeteries. New premises were opened in Hartwald and teams of designers were employed including the prolific Max Laueger who made wares there under his own name. In 1927, threatened with financial collapse, the factory came under state ownership as Staalkiche Majolika-Manufaktur Karlsruhe AG. Designs such as this, probably by Wilhelm Süs, owed much to the style of the Wiener Werkstätte, especialy Michael Powolny.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Glazed earthenware
Brief description
Figure of glazed earthenware consisting of a bowl with a pedestal rising from the centre, upon which three putti are perched holding flower baskets and posies, probably designed by Wilhelm Süs, made by Grossherzogliche Majolika Manufaktur, Karlsruhe, ca. 1910.
Physical description
Figure of glazed earthenware consisting of a bowl with a pedestal rising from the centre, upon which three putti are perched holding flower baskets and posies and with foliage frills between them.
Dimensions
  • Height: 30cm
  • Diameter: 31cm
Marks and inscriptions
(Printed mark of the manufacturer)
Object history
Painted in the Maiolica technique with a clear glaze overall.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The Majolika-Manufaktur was established in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 1901. Its two owners were both painters: Wilhelm Süs had set up a ceramic studio at Kronberg for the manufacture of majolica in Italian renaissance style, while Hans Thoma had started ceramic production in 1895. The Karlsruhe venture was financed by Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden. With a new business manager from 1908 production became more ambitious and escalated. As well as smaller ornamental wares such as this table centre, they made large scale architectural wares for parks, gardens and cemeteries. New premises were opened in Hartwald and teams of designers were employed including the prolific Max Laueger who made wares there under his own name. In 1927, threatened with financial collapse, the factory came under state ownership as Staalkiche Majolika-Manufaktur Karlsruhe AG. Designs such as this, probably by Wilhelm Süs, owed much to the style of the Wiener Werkstätte, especialy Michael Powolny.
Bibliographic reference
Moufang, Nicola. Grossherzogliche Majolika-Manufaktur in Karlsruhe. 1920.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.647-1969

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Record createdOctober 28, 2008
Record URL
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