1958 Wall Mask by Porzellanfabrik Cortendorf- West Germany

Mid Century Abstract Expressionistic Pop Art Sculpture for Wall Decor made in 1950's West Germany.

DESIGNER: Albert Strunz (born 1916-died 1974)
FACTORY WHERE MADE: Porzellanfabrik Cortendorf in the North Eastern Bavarian City of Coburg
ARTISTIC INFLUENCES: Expressionism, Art Nouveau, Creative Art, Modernist, and Bauhaus
COLOR PALETTE: Black Skin, Soft Turquoise Hair, and Red lips
MATERIAL: Porcelain
MODEL# 3408
WHERE MADE: Germany
WHEN ART MODEL INTRODUCED: 1958
MEASUREMENTS: 10.5" Tall 8" Wide 1.25": Deep & 28" Circumference
WEIGHS: 1 lb 6 oz
ART VISUAL: 3-D (three dimensional) Low Relief (Flat mount-minimal protrusion)

The history of this art decor begins with German artist and sculptor Otto Poertzel (born 1876-died 1963)
who studied porcelain techniques at at the Technical Academy in Sonnenberg-Germany in 1893. He opened up his own studio in Coburg-Bavaria around 1900. In 1908, Otto moved to Munich and then studied pottery at the Academy of Art-Munich where he received a Master's Degree. His studio work in Coburg proved to be profitable and he received many commissions from the German government to design sculptures and busts of prominent and famous figures. Mr. Poertzel became an Art Professor at the Bauhaus in his latter years. The Bauhaus was an art school that was influential in progressive art and the institution created an art movement in Germany from 1919 to 1933 that combined the fine arts with crafts. The Bauhaus encouraged students and teachers to work together in design studios and workshops. The school's teaching method replaced the traditional pupil-teacher relationship with a community of artists. This was a centralized Art Learning Center that was to unify individual artist's vision to create hybrid new art methods. Bauhaus wanted to focus on principles of mass production and have long term functionality and value. Life Art was studied in every aspect at Bauhaus to draw inspiration from it's art students. One of the major studies that Otto was involved in at the Bauhaus was ballet. Ballet was taught at the Bauhaus by German painter, sculptor, designer, and ballet choreographer Oskar Schlemmer. The exploration of the human body in space and motion observing ballet dancing led Otto to teach sculptures of "Vision Stills" of ballet dancers expressions, movements and poses and also inspired his personal best sculptures. One student who studied with Otto at his Coburg studio was a sculptor and modeler named Albert Strunz. Strunz became a sought after potter designer and artist in Coburg Germany after Otto's tutelage. In 1954, Albert Strunz become the head designer and molder at Porzellanfabrik in the Cortendorf district of Bavaria. Porzellanfabrik Cortendorf was a earthenware and porcelain company that made dinnerware popularized in animal shapes. Porzellanfabrik in German actually just means "porcelain factory" and since the factory was in the city of Cortendorf that is simply how the company was named. Artist and sculptor Albert Strunz was PC's chief designer and modeler for over 20 years. In 1957, Strunz designed, sculpted, fired and glazed, a porcelain low relief wall mask for Cortendorf to produce. Drawing inspiration from all of his teachings, studying, and years of craft under Prof. Otto Porzellanfabrik.....Strunz made his first line of wall masks to project the natural beauty of ballet dancers facial expressions. This one and many others like it were launched in 1958 by Albert Strunz and Cortendorf. The infamous Strunz/Cortendorf collaborated porcelain wall art was made from 1958 until 1973. At one point, the wall masks were in such demand that another local German factory named Achental-Keramik would be contracted to help Cortendorf keep up with their order production. Out of all the Cortendorf and Strunz pop art porcelain wall masks, we hope you find this one to be your favorite...we know it is one of ours.

Condition is great-see photos (other photos available upon buyer request if needed)
MemoryLaneVintiques sanitizes all glassware, glazed pottery, jewelry and resin cast items before packing for shipment....100% Guaranteed!

ETSY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICY
As a venue for artists, designers, and makers, Etsy takes intellectual property rights very seriously. We comply with intellectual property laws and industry best practices in order to maintain the integrity of our creative marketplace. This Intellectual Property Policy explains how we address allegations of infringement, how authorized parties can submit reports of infringement regarding content on our marketplace, and how Etsy sellers can respond when their listings or shops are affected by a report.
ANY COPY AND PASTING OR PLAGIARIZING OF MATERIAL
ON MEMORYLANEVINTIQUES IS SUBJECT TO ETSY INVESTIGATION AND PENALTIES!
MemoryLaneVintiques researches also protect our shop from Intellectual Property Theft by researching for violators of our material. Be respectful!
Chad & Jennifer Johnston (August 2024)