Michael Powolny
Judenburg, Styria 1871 - 1954 ViennaMichael Powolny was born in Judenburg in Styria in 1871. He is considered a pioneer of Austrian ceramics at the turn of the century. After training as a potter, Michael Powolny studied at the Fachschule Znaim and at the School of Arts and Crafts in Vienna. In 1906 he founded ‘Wiener Keramik’ together with Bertold Löffler, whose products were distributed by the Wiener Werkstätte. Besides Wiener Werkstätte works in black and white, intensely coloured, partially figural creations were produced as well. The cherub motif plays a major role in the artist’s overall work and is associated with his name throughout the world to this day.
For instance, Powolny symbolised the theme of the ‘four seasons’ with cherub figures in different versions. Besides ceramics, his works for the Wiener Werkstätte encompass fitting out the bar and cloakroom at Cabaret Fledermaus with tiles, Palais Stoclet, Villa Skywa-Primavesi, and Haus Berl. Michael Powolny took part in every important Wiener Werkstätte exhibition and was a member of the Österreichischer and Deutscher Werkbund. In 1909 he was appointed head of the newly founded Workshop for Ceramics at Vienna’s School of Arts and Crafts, where he held a teaching position until 1936. Powolny made a decisive contribution to the revival of ceramic art at the start of the 20th century. Michael Powolny passed away in Vienna in 1954.
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Little Putto Spring design around 1911-12, manufactured 1912-1919
Dancers design around 1907, manufactured until 1912
Vase manufactured until 1912
Putto "Spring" design around 1915/16
Putto Summer design around 1915/16
Lady with Shawl design around 1909, manufactured until 1912
Badge for the International Exhibition for the Book and Graphics Industries 1914
Vase on Four Ball Feet design around 1910, manufactured from 1919
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Dancer, turned to the Left design around 1907, manufactured until 1912
Christmas Box design around 1907, manufactured until 1912
Fan Lady Box design around 1910, manufactured 1912-19
Rare Inkpot design 1907/08, manufactured until 1912
Inkpot with Putti design around 1907, manufactured from 1919
Karlsbad Box design around 1910, manufactured until 1912
Box with Madonna design around 1907, manufactured until 1912
Vase with Putti in Relief design around 1907, manufactured 1912-1919
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Centrepiece with Herms design around 1907, manufactured until 1912
Mirror design around 1910, manufactured 1912-1919
Season Putti design around 1911/12, manufactured until 1912 resp. from 1919 (autumn)
Inkpot with Putti design around 1907, manufactured until 1912
Beautiful Helena design around 1907, manufactured until 1912
Ashtray manufactured until 1912
Ashtray manufactured until 1912
Lidded Box design before 1906, manufactured 1912-1919
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Bowl with Squirrels manufactured 1912-1919
Stag Beetle Rider design around 1907/08, manufactured until 1912
Putto with Fruits and Bird design around 1913, manufactured 1912-1919
Vase design around 1906, manufactured until 1912
Putto with Flowers (Spring) design 1907, manufactured 1907 until 1912
Putto with Cornucopia (Summer) design around 1907, manufactured 1907 until 1912
Dancers design around 1907, manufactured until 1912