 |
 |
Vase by Dr. Christopher Dresser England 1870s Dr. Christopher Dresser is widely regarded to be the first professional industrial designer, as well as one of the very first people in any profession who can accurately be called "Modernist." After travelling to the Far East (not long after Japan became open to westerners), Dresser brought back to England a large collection of Japanese objects, and even more importantly, some fairly radical ideas about form and decoration which often stood in direct opposition to prevailing Victorian taste. Dresser's designs anticipate much of 20th-century practice. They are notable for their freedom from cumbersome applied ornamentation, and the fact of their forms being derived from traditions as diverse (and non-Western) as Sung China and pre-Colombian Peru. This vase was hand-decorated with a painting of a kingfisher in action, executed by Clarissa Ault (the daughter of William Ault, manufacturer of many designs by Dresser). Impressed with Dresser's signature (not only was he the first designer, he was also the first designer whose name was important in the marketing of the product). Price $1,700 Condition This vase has been restored, though the repairs are quite imperceptible. Measurements Specifications Number of items: 1 Materials/Technique: Glazed earthenware Creator: Christopher Dresser Reference: 0804018091311 |
||||||