The international award winning Studio Anna began around the early 1950's, first in Neutral Bay but very soon moved to premises in Marrickville where the company remained until the late 1990's.
The founder was Karel Jungvirt (a trained sculpter & ceramic artist from Europe) and intially he cast moulds for Diana Pottery.
He expanded into hand decorated pottery pieces depicting landscapes, landmarks, flora, fauna and aboriginal motifs until he restructed the business in the 1960's due to import competition, moving into cookware and tourist souvenirs such as this vase. This was a time when cheap imports devastated the Australian hand crafted studio art ceramics industry, many household names have disappeared due to the tidal wave of cheap imports into Australia at that time. Another item that jumps to mind is the ceramic Rameking dishes - long since vanished from the Australian scene.
Studio Anna managed to continue the business by seeking other product ranges such as lamp bases but finally in the late 1990's Karel Jungvirt had enough, sold the business and went back to Europe.
It is quite easy to find Studio Anna ceramics with Aboriginal themes (these were very popular with the tourists) but much more difficult to find Australian scenes of international interest.
STUDIO ANNA - Ceramic Vase
Small size: 95mm height x 80mm widest point
Weight: 150g
Slip cast cream/white ceramic material
Hand painted decoration
Scene depicted is the Cuttagee Bridge, near Bermagui (Bega District) NSW. This old bridge featured in the film "The Man Who Sued God" (Billy Connolly). An old very historical bridge which community groups are actively trying to have restored.
This Studio Anna vase was intended for the tourist market back in the 1960's
Vibrant rich colouring
Base foil label (Gold) with text:
HAND PAINTED
STUDIO ANNA
AUSTRALIA
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Not an issue at all!
NO cracks
NO chips
NO discolouration to the vibrant colours
NO art damage
NO glaze failure
