Olle Hermansson Husqvarna Cast Iron Rooster Sculpture, Sweden 1960s (sold)
























Olle Hermansson Husqvarna Cast Iron Rooster Sculpture, Sweden 1960s (sold)
Swedish sculptor, Olle Hermansson is primarily known for his cast iron sculptures and fire screens in the Brutalist style. The characters and creatures appearing in his works are often inspired by Nordic mythology. This characteristic rooster is no exception, having just as much variety in forms and shapes as meaning in mythology.
The rooster’s symbolism is very deep in the Celtic and Scandinavian countries. While the painted wooden roosters are not as old as the Dala horses, their history goes back at least to 1760. In Norse mythology, the rooster "Gullinkambe" (golden comb) sits on the top of the world tree "Yggdrasil" and will awaken the monarchs to battle when the world is coming to an end. This mid-century Swedish rooster is made entirely of cast iron which enhances its Brutalist impression. It stands on an oval base and is in a pose that suggests that it is indeed ready to awaken said monarchs. The main features of a rooster are highlighted, including its spurs, cape, and comb on its head. Cast iron, is an essentially brutalist material with a raw look that invites the eyes to discover the details beyond the rough surface. Signed OH, standing for Olle Hermansson on its bottom, this sculpture was manufactured by Husqvarna. Since starting out in 1689, Husqvarna (sic.) has manufactured a wide range of quality products, but non-utility, artistic pieces are exceptionally rare.
This rare Brutalist rooster can be placed either in front of a fireplace (or any other light source) to cast dancing shadows, or anywhere as an eye-catching, unique sculpture. Regardless of how it is used, it is certain to be a conversation starter piece.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition consistent with age and use. The cast iron has some marks and age related patina.
Dimensions:
11.81 in W x 3.74 in D x 17.91 in H
30 cm W x 9.5 cm D x 45.5 cm H
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
This vase was made by Richard Meitner and displays an understated elegance and timeless appeal. With an emphasis on balance and harmony, it blends traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Richard Meitner is an artist that has worked extensively with glass and has been exhibiting his works worldwide to this day.
The vase features a round brass base and extends up to a neck that connects seamlessly to the glass. The striking translucent sculptural glass is the focal point of the structure. Crafted with quality in mind, this vase is sturdy and built to last. Its base provides stability and a contemporary touch, while the glass adds a sense of mystery and sophistication to the overall design. The design embraces the allure of both the mid-century modern and space age era’s design characteristics with a result that is mature, well-thought-out, and timelessly stylish. On a side table or a sideboard, this vase will quickly find its marks in any interior. To accompany the stylish look, the brass has beautiful patina that adds vintage charm to the otherwise modern aesthetic of the design.
Adding pieces like this to a contemporary interior not only creates a diverse and interesting aesthetic, it also reminds that perfection cannot be reached and perhaps should not even be the goal. Instead, recognising the beauty of the imperfect can bring happiness into everyday life.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The item has recently been reconditioned. Some visible discolouration on the base. Additional marks, scratches, and imperfections on the glass may be present due to manufacturing inconsistencies and age of the item.
Dimensions:
8.66 in W x 6.10 in D x 13.38 in H
22 cm W x 15.5 cm D x 34 cm H
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
In her works, Kati Tuominen-Niittylä explores the concept of the container, interpreting it with natural colours and timeless, clean lines. This allows her to rediscover the beauty of both simplicity and archaic forms. The surfaces, meticulously treated as a sort of meditative practice, recall the light and landscapes of the Nordic forests.
Her minimalistic and timeless language of forms appears in every inch of this bowl that is in the field between art, design, and handicraft. This model blends multiple techniques with extraordinary skill alternating between wheel-throwing, casting, and hand-building with a prevalence of textured, carved surfaces, all of which are high-fired. The result is a uniquely textured look that is influenced by the various ceramic masses, clay slurries, glazings, and surface structures the artist uses. The bowl is just as interesting from inside as it is from the outside, with darker colours that enhance the texture and patterns. The inherent organicity is also apparent in the shape that doesn’t follow strict geometric principles, instead, has a natural flow to it. As a designer, Tuominen-Niittylä has been one of those postmodernists who softened the worst edges of the style into a more user-friendly form. Or as she put it: “I like the quiet movement.” This bowl is signed with “KTN” at its neck.
Kati Tuominen-Niittylä’s works do not fit directly under any ready definition. They have the kind of archaic timelessness that is recognizable throughout the long period of human history as we know art objects. This bowl is stylistically closer to the elegance of modernism than the playfulness of postmodernism, guaranteed to stand out in any style and type of space.
Condition:
In good condition.
Dimensions:
16.3 in W x 10.23 in D x 10.43 in H
41.5 cm W x 26 cm D x 26.5 cm H
About the designer:
Kati Tuominen-Niittylä (Finish, b. 1947) is an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist living and working in Helsinki, Finland. Her elegant minimalist works blend multiple techniques with extraordinary skill alternating between wheel-throwing, casting, and hand-building with a prevalence of textured, carved surfaces, and all of which are high-fired.
Evoking archetypal silhouettes reminiscent of functional vessels such as buckets and basketry, as well as shapes found in nature, Tuominen-Niittylä creates objects that are refined and sophisticated yet with a rough plainness that is further emphasized by the earthy neutral hues. The objects appear almost ancient or geological. The interchanging of techniques also affords a uniqueness to each piece, and it often leads to new details and finishes. Although the works are suggestive of ancient functional forms, Tuominen-Niittylä creates each piece purely with artistic purpose.
Tuominen-Niittylä studied at the Aalto University School of Arts, Architecture and Design. She is a member of the Arabia Art Department Society and has designed for Arabia Studios. Her work is in the permanent collections of numerous public institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Finnish State Collections, and the Shigaraki Cultural Park Museum in Japan.
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
This ceramic sculpture presents an abstract human head formation, made by Roy Terbeek in 1994 in the Netherlands. The piece features a modeling of facial features. There is a sense of harmony in the proportions: the neck strong yet graceful, and the overall shape flows naturally from crown to neckline. With vibrant detail, the shape itself speaks of an artist well aware of the interplay between light and form.
Created in the early 1990s, it reflects a period in which many artists were exploring personal identity and quiet presence rather than overt statement. This unique sculpture is intriguing and exudes an air of antiquity and natural physicality. Its form commands attention with its abstract and textured surface. At first glance, the shape of the sculpture draw the viewer in, with its irregularities. The glazing is a central expressive element, with its earthy-bronze tone. It offers a glass-like surface that catches light across its curvature, increasing the visual depth. Instead of creating tension, the shape and material bring the piece into perfect balance thanks to the unique design. This sculpture is undoubtedly as captivating from afar as it is up close. This work invites viewers to engage with the interplay of tradition and innovation, celebrating the enduring appeal of glazed ceramic as a medium for artistic expression.
Beyond its technical and aesthetic qualities, the sculpture evokes a contemplative mood. It is a work that rewards close viewing. This piece is also a rare representation of Dutch Post-Modernist design, an interesting phase of cultural, social impacts with artists and designers trying to figure out their way towards leaving their marks.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature of the material, item may have some marks, scratches, and discolouration.
Dimensions:
9.25 in W x 11.61 in D x 12.20 in H
23.5 cm W x 29.5 cm D x 31 cm H
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Price category: 1,000 - 2,500 usd / eur
Bas van Pelt may be the most well-known for his seating designs, but this rare magazine rack shows the designer’s less known side. The design of this model feels contemporary and shows off the creativity of van Pelt.
This type of storage is often referred to as a display rack, which is especially apt for this model. The black lacquered wired metal body is arranged in an airy design that allows the display of magazines and books. The curving shape of the five arches create a modern, artistic look crowned - quite literally - by the single pole in the middle with a ring at the end. This feature gives the design that extra element that distinguishes it from other models, while also serving a functional role. The entire rack can be picked up easily thanks to the ring, further, it still manages to stand out and grab the eye despite its small size. The wooden bottom adds an organic touch that is a beloved feature of mid-century modern design and of Dutch designer, Bas van Pelt as well. It pairs very well with the black metal frame and both materials get visually enhanced as a consequence. The rack stands on four brass leg ends showing how attention was given to the smallest detail.
Whether used to hold magazines, newspapers or any other periodicals, this magazine display is sure to stand out. While serving a primarily functional role, this model is sure to stand out for its aesthetic qualities as well, reminding why mid-century modernism was one of the most creative design eras of all time.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some small marks on the wood.
Dimensions:
17.71 in W x 13.38 in D x 24.8 in H
45 cm W x 34 cm D x 63 cm H
About the designer:
Bas Van Pelt (1900 Dordrecht (NL) - 1945 Sandbostel (DE)) was a well-known Dutch interior and furniture designer, known for the clarity and quality of his designs. His works created in the 1930s and 1940s are regarded for their progressive design and quality.
While he is most well-known for his chair designs, van Pelt was also active as an interior designer. He also designed fabrics for window coverings, rugs and carpets, seating and tables, as well as lighting crafted by the best craftsmen in the Netherlands. He worked with multiple manufacturers, including his own firm, Bas van Pelt / My Home and Verto Verenigde Touwfabrikien, where his tubular metal designs were produced.He opened ‘My Home’ in 1931, just before the onset of the great crisis in the midst of major changes in the last century. In the façade of the shop, in the lively centre of The Hague, there was one large window placed so that everyone could look inside and see how things were made, and could be done differently; in his view, modern furniture at the time was light and airy, transparent, made of tubular steel frame, combined with wood. This view was very progressive for the 1930s, when the influence of The Hague School was still dominating most designers.
Unfortunately, in 1940 WWII changed the life of Bas van Pelt as well, who was on the board of the Haagse Kunstkring, where discussions about reconstruction after the war took place. Sadly, Bas van Pelt did not live to see it. He was deported because he gave people in hiding a safe place, saving many lives. While there is very limited information about his life and work, his furniture designs have become collectibles in the past decades that are also found in Dutch museums. Bas van Pelt is remembered as a progressive designer and as a man who saved lives. ~H.
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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur
“Breathing'“ by Dutch sculptor Ineke van Zuuren is an exploration of organic abstraction. Van Zuuren transforms a dense block of wood into a form that feels remarkably fluid and alive. Rather than depicting the human figure directly, van Zuuren suggests its presence through graceful curves, balanced proportions, and an elegant sense of movement.
The rich, dark tones of the sculpture are complemented by the wood’s striking natural grain, which becomes an integral part of the composition. Smoothly sculpted convex and concave surfaces catch the light beautifully, emphasising the subtle transitions in the form while highlighting the warmth and tactile quality of the material. The result is a work that feels both monumental and intimate, celebrating the expressive possibilities of solid wood. This sculpture is undoubtedly as captivating from afar as it is up close. This work invites viewers to engage with the interplay of tradition and innovation, celebrating the enduring appeal of solid wood as a medium for artistic expression.
This piece is also a rare representation of Dutch Post-Modernist design, an interesting phase of cultural, social impacts with artists and designers trying to figure out their way towards leaving their marks.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Due to the nature and age of the material, the sculpture may have marks, scratches, and discolouration.
Dimensions:
23.62 in W x 13.38 in D x 33.46 in H
60 cm W x 34 cm D x 85 cm H