Studio Atelier Werk - Leon Dissing - Ewer - Model/Form No. 60 Zoomorph - reactive drip- and run glaze

Leon Dissing – rare zoomorphic vase-jug – marked with form number 60 – Horsens, Denmark – ca. 1930–1940

Remarkable Danish studio ceramic vase-jug by Leon Dissing, made in Horsens, Denmark.

This rare jug features a powerful, organic spherical form and is executed with a striking sculpturally modeled animal that runs along the wall of the jug and transitions into the handle. The animal can be interpreted as a lizard/reptile or a small mustelid.

This zoomorphic design aligns with the ceramic tradition in which Dissing trained. Within the Dissing family’s ceramics, such plastically applied animal motifs are known. In Danish documentation and collectors’ information, among others, there are spherical Dissing jugs with an animal as a handle and objects with a “firben” (Danish for lizard) as plastic decoration described.

The jug is finished with a particularly reactive dripped and flowing glaze in moss green, olive green, gray-green, and earthy brown tones. The glaze flows over the spherical form and the modeled animal, giving each part of the object its own hue. This organic glaze behavior is characteristic of the experimental nature of Dissing’s early ceramics.

The underside is hand-engraved with a signature readable as “L. Dissing.” In addition, the number 60 is clearly present. This is presumably an original form- or model-number; a historical catalog in which number 60 is directly linked to this specific form has not yet been found.

Leon Dissing worked, before becoming independent, at DANICO and Annashaab, among others. Around 1930 he began his own pottery workshop on Nørrebrogade in Horsens. Historical Danish documentation notes that he produced a range of utilitarian and decorative objects, including forms that he himself labeled as “vasekande.”

A special and sculptural example of early Danish studio pottery, where functionality, organic form, and ceramic craftsmanship come together beautifully.

Maker: Leon Dissing
Origin: Horsens, Denmark
Period: presumably ca. 1930–1940
Signature: hand-engraved, reads as “L. Dissing”
Number: 60, presumably form-/model-number
Material: ceramic/stoneware with reactive glaze

Dimensions: H 16 × L 21.5 × D 16 cm

Weight: 1090 g

The jug is in a lovely vintage condition appropriate to its great age.

Differences in color, speckling, flow lines, and local irregularities in the glaze are inherent to the manual production and firing process and contribute to the authentic character of the piece.

See the photos for a good and full impression of the condition.

A rare and highly characterful early work by Leon Dissing, in which Art Deco, Danish pottery craftsmanship, experimental reactive drip glaze, and an exceptional zoomorphic form come together.

A beautiful collectible for fans of Danish studio pottery, Art Deco, Scandinavian design, and zoomorphic ceramics.

This object will be securely packaged for smart shipping, sent by registered and insured mail with track and trace.