ESKAF - Willem van Norden - Βάζο - 281 - Πήλινο - Ολλανδικό βάζο Art Deco

Willem van Norden for Eskaf Vase with Two Handles, model 281
Eskaf, Netherlands, circa 1925–1930
Dutch Art Deco glazed earthenware

Elegant Dutch Art Deco vase with two handles, designed by Willem van Norden for Eskaf, the Eerste Steenwijker Kunst-Aardewerk Fabriek.

Eskaf was founded in Steenwijk in 1919 by Hillebrand Ras, owner of a painting business and drawing teacher at the local craft school.

For its first designs, Eskaf attracted Willem van Norden, who had previously worked for the Amsterdam ceramics factory De Distel, and Hildo Krop, son of Hendrik Krop and later one of the most important Dutch sculptors of the 20th century. They were soon joined by designers including W. Bogtman, J.H. de Groot, Jac. Jongert and Cornelis van der Sluys. This gave Eskaf a remarkably strong artistic circle for a relatively small pottery factory.

The early years were promising, but from around 1923 sales began to decline. Even so, Eskaf remained artistically ambitious. Its production belongs to the wider world of Dutch Art Deco ceramics, alongside factories such as De Distel, Zuid-Holland and others, but with its own distinct identity. The factory is especially known for original modern forms and expressive glazes, including the celebrated green-black mottled glaze used on many vases and jugs.

A fine collectible example of Dutch interwar art pottery, designed by one of Eskaf’s earliest and most important designers.

Condition
Good antique condition with minor age-related wear