Axel Salto – Large ‘Spiral’ vase

1953
Hand thrown unglazed stoneware.
Underside painted ‘SALTO’ with three line wave mark.

Literature:
‘Dansk Kunsthaandværk,’ No. 1, 1955, front cover
‘Neue Form aus Dänemark’, exh. cat., 1956, p. 35

Based on current research, this unusual and large vase was executed in 1953 and was probably exhibited the following year at the Kunstindustrimuseet (today Designmuseum Denmark) to celebrate the occasion of Axel Salto’s 65th birthday. In 1956, the vase was depicted in the above listed exhibition catalogue ‘Neue Form aus Dänemark’, a German travelling exhibition that visited Hamburg, München, Wien, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Berlin, Kiel, and Flensbur. However, it is likely this vase was never included as shipping documents from Royal Copenhagen do not list it as part of the eight pieces that were a part of this exhibition. Its whereabouts were unknown after this point until today.

This form is an unusual aesthetic departure from the ‘Sprouting Style’ pieces usually glazed in Sung, Solfatara or Blue Mussel glazes we are so familiar with today. The spiral form is was something Salto was obviously interested in as drawings of his from this time period depict the form repeatedly, including his earlier masterpiece ‘The Road to La Gaude’ (1939).

We would like to thank Dr. Susanne Bruhn for her assistance with the cataloguing of this piece.
Produced by Royal Copenhagen.

Ref: 2109020

H 47CM/18.5″
DIA 33CM/13.0″