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Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Austrian, 1871-1954

As both a designer and a teacher, the Austrian ceramicist and glassware designer Michael Powolny was an important figure in the development of modernist aesthetics in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century. His romantic sculptural pottery figures embrace the lush, dynamic stylings of Gustav Klimt and other progressive artists, while his functional pieces — such as glass bowls and vases — employ the simple linear and geometric ornamentation that marked the work of Josef Hoffmann and other members of the Wiener Werkstätte community of designers and craftsmen.

     Powolny received classical training in ceramics from his father, a potter, and at the Vienna School of Applied Arts, but later joined in the modernizing movement in the Austrian arts at the close of the 19th century. In 1897, Klimt, Hoffman, Koloman Moser and other artists and architects founded the Vienna Secession, a group that fought for freedom of expression against the city’s tradition-bound arts establishment. Powolny’s work reflects the changing times. He used classical figures in his ceramics — female nudes, cherubs — yet would dress them in modern ornament such as garlands of abstract, geometric flowers. Pieces from Powolny’s ceramics company were sold through the Wiener Werkstätte (Viennese Workshops) founded by Hoffmann and Moser, and Hoffman later hired Powolny to create ceramic ornamentation for his architectural masterpiece, the Palais Stoclet in Brussels.

     Powolny would go on to design glassware that combines elegant, tapering forms with precise linear decoration. His most influential work may have come as a professor at the School of Applied Arts, where he taught both Lucie Rie, the great Austrian-British modernist ceramicist, and the American potter Viktor Schreckengost, creator of the “Jazz Bowl,” an icon of the Streamline Moderne design. As you will see from the items on offer, Michael Powolny’s works have a double appeal: in their sprightly, endearing forms and as artifacts that document a period of signal change in the history of modern arts and crafts.

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Creator: Michael Powolny
Bohemian Loetz Red Tango Glass Vase w. Black Accents by Michael Powolny
By Loetz Glass, Michael Powolny
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique Art Nouveau art glass vase by Michael Powolny for Loetz is an impressive and highly sought-after art piece from the early 20th cen...
Category

1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Michael Powolny Rare Pottery Pair Sparrows Figure c.1907
By Michael Powolny
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful and rare Austrian Wiener Keramik pair of pottery sparrows by renowned sculptor and ceramicist Michael Powolny (Austrian, 1871-1954) and dating from around 1907. Michael...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Spring , Putto With Flowers, by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1910-1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent and rare Art Nouveau ceramic piece from a series of the four seasons: Naked putto in a wide stance, head tilted to the left and holding a cascade of flowers falling to the ...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Original and Unique Ceramic Fountain by Otto Prutscher and Michael Powolny, 1914
By Michael Powolny, Wiener Keramik Werkstätte, Otto Prutscher
Located in Vienna, AT
Executed by Michael Powolny for the Wienerberger Keramikwerkstätten, ceramic and stoneware, ochre colored, body holding a dish in her outstretched arms standing above a three-tired C...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Spring , Putto With Flowers, by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1910-1912
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent and rare Art Nouveau ceramic piece from a series of the four seasons: Naked putto in a wide striding position, his blond head tilted to the left and holding a cascade of fl...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Powolny VWGK Vienna Candlestick Made, circa 1907
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant candlestick for holding one candle Modelled by Michael Powolny (1871-1954), circa 1907 Hallmarked: Manufactured by Wiener Keramik and Gmundner Keramik (union Of Vienna Ceramics & Gmunden Ceramics - VWGK / Hallmarked) Material is Ceramics (glossy finish / multicolored painted). Model Number 142 Made circa 1913 Subject: The cream white candlestick is decorated with horizontal lines attached to surface. The Grommet is surrounded/encircled by A Wreath Of Flowers' blossoms. Height: 8.0 cm (= 3.14 inches) Diameter: 8.0 cm (= 3.14 inches) Bibliography: Waltraud Neuwirth, Markenlexikon fu¨r Kunstgewerbe (3), Wiener Keramik / Modelle 1906-13; page 122 Experts of Fine Arts assess Michael Powolny's work nowadays as result of activity of one the most important ceramics...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Autumn Putto by Michael Powolny for Gmundner Keramische Werkstatte
By Michael Powolny
Located in Brisbane, QLD
A large and rare ceramic monochromatic putto holding grapes (Autumn from "The Four Seasons") by Austrian designer Michael Powolny for Gmundner Keramische Werkstatte. First designed b...
Category

1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Powolny Four Seasons Putti ca. 1906
By Wiener Keramik Werkstätte, Michael Powolny
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
four seasons Putti, Michael Powolny, Wiener Keramik, ca. 1906 Michael Powolny's renowned design is one of the most famous example of Jugendstil ceramics. They were produced by Wiene...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Powolny Four Seasons Putti ca. 1906
Michael Powolny Four Seasons Putti ca. 1906
$167,364 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Autumn , Putto With Grapes, by Michael Powolny, Vienna Ceramics, 1913-1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent and rare Art Nouveau ceramic piece from a series of the four seasons: Naked putto in a wide striding position, his blond head tilted to the right and holding a cascade of ...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Art Nouveau designer Michael Powolny for Loetz Witwe glass bowl around 1910s
By Johann Lötz Witwe, Michael Powolny
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Art Nouveau designer Michael Powolny for Loetz Witwe glass bowl, 1910s The beautiful small glass bowl by Michale Powolny is in good condition. This item is an original from his time...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Crystal Vase Jugendstil Austria circa 1918 Michael Powolny Loetz for Lobmeyr
By Michael Powolny, Loetz Glass
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
This elegant object of the Loetz glassworks was produced immediately after the First World War, in the years 1918- 1919. Although stylistic as well as technical recourse to past tech...
Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Large Putto As An Indian, by Michael Powolny, Sommerhuber Austria, 1925-1930
By Sommerhuber Keramik Steyr Co., Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent ceramic piece in the tradition of Michael Powolny: Standing putto, dressed only in a short-sleeved vest and belt, with a feather crown on his blond curls, a small bow and q...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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Loetz Art Nouveau Tango Vase, Execution 157 Opal-Black-Brown, Vienna ca 1914
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Model blown body, curved, stepped, widening wall, connected to a flat, round base by a fused black nodus, mouth rim with wavy black outline, 16 red-brown threads vertically worked into the top layer, ground flat base ring, no pontil. The Loetz factory came into contact with the Viennese arts and crafts...
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An Assembled Pair of Putti Candle Holders by Michael Powolny
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Ceramic Writing Set Till Eulenspiegel by Michael Powolny, Austria, 1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Till Eulenspiegel in a brown-red jester's costume with bells, sitting with outstretched legs on a rectangular flat base plate, an owl between his feet and a low, four-sided inkwell w...
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Art Nouveau Ceramic Centerpiece With Three Putti by Michael Powolny Vienna, 1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Three standing nude putti with floral decorations and yellow draperies carrying a shallow round bowl. Without base. By Michael Powolny (1871 - 1954) Nowadays, art experts attest Mic...
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Michael Powolny Ceramic Pottery Sculpture, Large Putto "Spring" Winer Keramik
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Four Seasonal Crinoline Figurines by Michael Powolny, Viennese Ceramics, c. 1910
By Viennese Manufactory, Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Four pedestal-less crinoline figures with seasonal attributes: Spring: in a floor-length dress with a long scarf and poke bonnet, her head turned to the right to the pigeon sitting on her right arm, in her left hand hanging down a small wreath of flowers. Model number: denotes 225 - error, correct: 223 Summer: in a dress with a large neckline, with a scarf around the waist, the head with the hair loosely tied backwards turned to the left, a broad-brimmed hat decorated with flowers hanging down from the left arm and holding a bouquet with ears of corn in front of her. Model number: 224 Autumn: in a floor-length, checked dress with a light coat and a blue bow around her neck, her head with the pinned up, blond hair tilted to the left, holding green foliage with autumn fruits in her hands. Model number: 225 Winter: with a long, ermine-trimmed coat and scarf, on her blond hair a hat with plumes, her head tilted slightly to the left and both hands buried in front of her in the large muff on which the presents are piled up. Model number: 226 By Michael Powolny (1871 - 1954) Nowadays, art experts attest Michael Powolny’s work as the work of one of the most important ceramic artists and designers of Austrian Art Nouveau. Powolny's companions and successors were significantly influenced by him, since he had left behind a work that was extremely important for Viennese ceramic art. Powolny's putti - many of them made on behalf of Wiener Keramik (WK) - are sought after by knowledgeable Art Nouveau collectors, both because of their modeling quality and because of the endearing and distinctive appearance. Manufactured by 'Wiener Keramik' (Viennese Ceramics) ceramics, bright earthenware, glossy finish, multicolored hand-painting designed ca. 1910, made circa 1910-1912 Marks: WK+grapes - Wiener Keramik /= Viennese Ceramics MP - signet for Michael Powolny Dimensions: height: ca 30.0 cm / 11.81 in width: ca 20.0 cm / 7.87 in depth: ca 18.0 cm / 7.08 in Bibliography: - Thomas Arlt / Arthur Weilinger, WIENER KERAMIK / VIENNA CERAMICS Bertold Löffler...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Powolny Loetz Blue Piped Opaline Glass Vase
By Michael Powolny
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Loetz opaline art glass vase of tall rounded shape applied with blue glass threads and piping around the rim designed by Michael Powo...
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Art Nouveau Ceramic Figure Snail Rider by Michael Powolny, Vienna, 1913-1917
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Naked boy with blond curls riding on a black snail with a brown house, in his left hand holding the reins made of a garland of flowers. By Michael Powolny (1871-1954) Nowadays, art experts attest Michael Powolny’s work as the work of one of the most important ceramic artists and designers of Austrian Art Nouveau. Powolny's companions and successors were significantly influenced by him, since he had left behind a work that was extremely important for Viennese ceramic art. Powolny's putti - many of them made on behalf of Wiener Keramik (WK) - are sought after by knowledgeable Art Nouveau collectors, both because of their modeling quality and because of the endearing and distinctive appearance. Manufactured by United Vienna and Gmunden Ceramics ceramics, bright earthenware, glossy finish, multicolored hand-painting designed 1907, made circa 1913-1917 Marks: WK+grapes - Wiener Keramik /= Vienna Ceramics GK+flower - Gmundner Keramik /= Gmunden Ceamics Model number 81 Dimensions: Height 18.0 cm / 7.08 in Width 20.0 cm / 7.87 in Depth 10.0 cm / 3.93 in Bibliography: - Thomas Arlt / Arthur Weilinger, Wiener Keramik / VIENNA CERAMICS, Bertold Löffler...
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1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Michael Powolny Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Powolny decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Michael Powolny decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Michael Powolny decorative objects, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Michael Powolny were created in the Art Nouveau style in europe during the early 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Dagobert Peche, Vally Wieselthier, and Ernst Wahliss. Prices for Michael Powolny decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,056 and can go as high as $160,819, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,322.

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