The Connoisseur studio created a marvelous group of porcelain studies focusing on butterflies; in fact, one series was called Butterflies of the World and was produced in collaboration with the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Brimstone with Bluebells at 10″ high, was a limited edition of 200 in 1980. It is said…
Orchids were a favorite Connoisseur floral subject and figured in more than a dozen of their limited- and non-limited-edition sculptures during the 1980s and early 1990s. The examples below are shown in chronological order by introduction year; studies for which that year is currently unknown are shown at the end. Pink Debutante is a graceful…
Floral studies created as a ‘basket of flowers’ were a particular specialty of the Connoisseur of Malvern studio. They were similar to their other flower studies in that they often focused on only one or two types of blooms, although there was at least one that was a delightful mix of seasonal garden delights. All…
Rose studies were a mainstay of the Connoisseur of Malvern porcelain studio during the 1980s. Most were designed by Diane Lewis – no surprise, in view of her expertise in flower making! I have included a bit of background about some of the actual rose cultivars that inspired the corresponding Connoisseur sculpture. Although roses occasionally…
The Connoisseur of Malvern studio, which was launched in England in the early 1980s, has a fascinating history. The quality of their porcelain sculptures is easily the equivalent of anything that came out of Royal Worcester – no surprise there, considering that the founders of the studio were alumni of that revered studio! Connoisseur operated…
Although birds formed the majority of sculptures that Granget designed for the Hutschenreuther studio (see Part 1), animal and human sculptures were not entirely neglected. This second of my two-part Granget overview will also look at some items he designed for mass market manufacturers. Animals and Fish for Hutschenreuther As with his birds, the Granget-for-Hutschenreuther…
Although most of my Lost Porcelain Studios series focuses on actual studio operations, there were a few porcelain artists who never had their own independent studio but instead spent their career as a marquee designer for one or more major porcelain companies. Gunther Granget was one of those. Gunther Granget was born in 1932 in…
This final instalment of my overview of the Boehm of Malvern studio in England covers three genres (human figures, decorative eggs, and holiday ornaments) plus a commemorative home décor item. Human Figures The “people pieces” from the 1980s studio were — other than any single-item special commissions that may have been done, such as the…
