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An original work by Ursula Schneider, 20th century ceramicist, Switzerland. No two items from her studio were alike. Schneider pioneered built-up coloured glazes in the late 1940s, in a style that grew very popular and influenced trends in ceramics right into the 1970s.

If this style seems familiar to you, Ursula Schneider is the original source of this painterly effect in decorative glazes. Much imitated and very influential.

This is a large piece. It would have been sold with a set of side or dinner plates, which she was famous for. It was intended to present cheese at table and then to be cleaned and hung on a wall for storage. I recommend you simply hang it for decorative effect. 

This example has been professionally repaired at great expense, following the same glazing technique as the original. Some ceramic repair work can be seen on the back. This is not hidden. As a museum quality piece we’ve followed to rule to show all signs of it’s lifetime of use, repair etc.

I can’t emphasise clearly enough how unusual it is to find one of Schneider’s original works, of this size and made by her own hand. Very scarce and collectable. 

MEASURES

33cm W x 47cm H x 7cm D

CONDITION

Very good restored condition. Clear repair marks to the back. Repaired glaze to the front, professionally colour matched to museum standard.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

In 1948, Ursula and husband Hermann opened a small ceramic studio to meet demand for artistic tiles through their joint architectural practice. The studio was named RABIUSLA by joining the nicknames of their two young girls.

Hermann tragically died in 1950 and Ursula continued as an architect and ceramicist, now with three young children on her own.

While continuing the architectural practice in the ceramic studio, she experimented for several years with low-firing techniques. She developed a combination colour and glaze painted directly, creating her own bright expressive style.

She was on the verge of giving up when a gallery owner from one of Zurich's finest shopping streets visited and bought her entire stock.

Within a few years, the popularity of her ceramics grew across Europe. Eventually, a buyer from Saks Fifth Avenue, the New York flagship store, visited her studio and her work became popular in the US during the 1960s and 70s.

Each piece is entirely unique and highly collectible. The item presented here is a large cheese platter, purchased in Europe during the 1950s, now professionally restored.