Vintage California postwar pop pottery

 

Hedi Schoop and Sascha Brastoff  flamboyance :

 

During WW2 and immediately after, foreign imports into the  USA had been cut off, resulting in the flourishing of domestic art pottery firms. This was further supported by the postwar building boom, especially in states like California. The demand for decorative and functional pottery wares was high, especially from the new homes being furnished. The shared sacrifices of the war were gone and the ceramic products reflected the new optimism with free flowing styles, fun, kitsch and heart warming designs. A lot of the decorative figurines expressed motion, from walking to dancing and other movements, capturing the mood shift.. TV’s were also selling in huge numbers so sales of ceramic TV lamps also flourished. Two influential ceramic artists from this time are featured below.

 

 

VINTAGE-HEDI-SCHOOP-harlequin-dancers

 Vintage Hedi Schoop harlequin dancers

 

Hedi Schoop

One of the designers at the forefront of this era of Mid Century ceramic design was Hedi Koop. Having fled Europe in 1933 with her composer husband ( Friedrich Hollander ),  she resettled in California and in 1940 opened up a pottery studio in Hollywood, focusing on the popular figurines along with planters, ashtrays, lamps, bowls and vases. She had studied sculpture, architecture, painting, and fashion design at several European art institutions including Kunstgewerbeschule in Vienna and Reimann Institute in Berlin. Her innovative California pottery designs were style defining  at this time and widely imitated. If a Schoop figure proved popular with consumers, an entire line of accompanying décor objects were created.  At the height of her success,  “Hedi Schoop Art Creations” produced over 30,000 giftware items per year, and employed over fifty workers. She designed and modelled almost every piece in her line. Her figurines are the most sought after as a collectible.

Heid Schoop folded ceramic vessel

Heid Schoop

 

Vintage ceramic bowl/planter by Hedi Schoop has sparkling gold trim over rose pink, and has incredible detailed texture. Shaped in a winding S-curve, the piece looks different from any angle when displayed in the round. Dates to circa 1950s, I think, based on the generous application of gold and the color.

( Elle Jay – Etsy  )

phantasy dancer hedi schoop

Phantasy Dancer – Hedi Schoop

 

Vintage Hedi Schoop Poodle ashtray

Vintage Hedi Schoop Poodle ashtray

 

 

 

Rare Mid-century-'Poodle Lady' Lamp and Radio by Hedi Schoop---SHOWPLACE-ANTIQUE-+-DESIGN-CENTER---37-inches-height

‘Poodle Lady’ Lamp and Radio by Hedi Schoop

37 inches height

SHOWPLACE ANTIQUE + DESIGN CENTER – 1st Dibs

 

 

 

Vintage-Hedi-Schoop-South-Asian-Women-in white and gold---Bindi-Marks-josephsgems-ebay--

Two Eastern Ladies figurines – Hedi Schoop California Vintage

josephsgems-ebay

 

 

Mid-century Hedi Schoop figurine

Mid-century Hedi Schoop figurine

 

 

Hedi Schoop Californian ceramics

Hedi Schoop ceramic King Queen pair

 

 

mid-century ceramic Hedi Schoop

Figurines, dancer with mandolin player  – Hedi Schoop

 

 

Hedi Schoop vase

 

 

1_23e0094b53374e187f499a367

A pair of poodles – Hedi Schoop

( hepcat restorations )

 

 

Hedi_schoop_cat

Hedi Schoop modernist cat

 

 

Hedi Schoop figurine

 

Hedi Schoop-TV lamp

TV Lamp – Hedi Schoop

 

dance figurines by Hedi Schoop

Two Hedi Schoop Dancer Figurines.In the middle is a ceramic deer TV lamp by Krim

 

 

hedi schoop photo

Hedi Schoop

 

 

comedy-tragedy-lamp by Hedi Schoop

Comedy Tragedy TV lamp – Heidi Schoop

 

Hedi_Schoop_lady-figurine

Hedi Schoop lady figurine

 

 

Candy pink and white folded vase - Hedi Schoop

Folded and footed pink and white vase – Hedi Schoop

 

 

hedi schoop vase

Salmon Pink Swirl Vase  – Hedi Schoop

 

 

Hedi Schoop skyscrapers tv lamp

Skyscrapers TV Lamp – Hedi Schoop

( hepcat restorations )

 

 

Hedi Schoop ceramic dancing figurine

Hedi Schoop dancing figurine planter

 Hedi Schoop did work with her sister Trudi  in European dance and cabaret before she left Germany for America  in 1933

 

 

Square Hedi Schoop Original ceramic Cat Plaque plate

Cat face wall plaque/plate

HEDI-SCHOOP-CALIFORNIA-platter

Hedi Schoop 1960s Pottery Chip, Bread Platter and Dip Sauce Bowls

 

HEDI-SCHOOP-12inch-FAN-LADY-FIGURINE-VASES-MID-CENTURY-MODERN-HOLLYWOOD-REGENCY-macade9-ebay

Thai Fan Dancers – Hedi Schoop

macade9 – ebay

Vintage-hedi-Schoop-basket

Vintage Hedi Schoop Basket

 

 

Oriental Woman figurine-Iridescant glaze by Hedi Schoop

  Iridescent Glaze Geisha Girl figurine

 

 

 

Hedi-Schoop-Angel-Kneeling-On-Leaf-Dish-Gold-Trim

Angel kneeling on green leaf dish with gold trim – Hedi Schoop

 

 

Hedi-Schoop-seated black poodle motif on square dishSeated black poodle dish – Hedi Schoop

 

 

 

Vintage-Hedi-Schoop-California-Pottery-Jug-Vase

Vintage jug/vase – Hedi Schoop

 

 

 

Hedi Schoop poodle dish

Hedi Schoop

 

 

 

Vintage-Hedi-Schoop-Hollywood-Cali-Rooster-Vases

Pair of Rooster Vases – Hedi Schoop, Hollywood

 

 

Sascha Brastoff

 

Sascha Brastoff was also a successful  Los Angeles ceramic designer at this time, who had a flair for promotion, mixing freely with Hollywood stars and celebrities. His bold, colourful  and flamboyant creations fitted perfectly into this postwar era of  adventurous ceramic design. Sascha began creating ceramics in New York  in the early 40’s.  After a stint in the Air Force followed by working as a costume designer with Fox Studios in Hollywood, he set up a ceramics plant in West Los Angeles called Sascha Brastoff Product’s Incorporated with the backing of Winthorpe B. Rockefeller. In the mid 1960″s other art pottery makers such as Stangl and Royal Haeger were licensed to use Sascha’s name trademark. These items usually have a thick black cursive SB signature near the maker’s mark. His unique pieces, many displaying a modernist flair, have become a favourite with collectors.

405px-446px-Sascha-brastoff-bowl.jpgLarge Bowl – Sascha Bastoff

( Haegernerd – Flikr )

 

 

 

Sascha-Brastoff raku crackle glaze horse bust

Sascha Brastoff horse bust

475px-714px-Sascha-Brastoff-modernist-vase

Modernist vase – Sascha Brastoff

Sascha Brastoff Coffee Pot

Sascha Brastoff Coffee Pot

Sascha Brastoff hand-painted show girl charger

Sascha Brastoff  ‘Ballet’ hand painted charger

Sascha-Brastoff-art-vase

Mid-century carved mosaic vase – Sascha Brastoff

Photo – Samantha Stolberg

SASCHA BRASTOFF-3-PC-smoking set

Sascha Brastoff enamel ashtray, lighter and cigarette holder set

 

 

Village motif coffee pot - Sascha Brastoff

‘Rooftops’ – tall lidded pitcher

 

Sascha-Bratoff advertisinf poster

Sascha Brastoff  addvert

Sascha-Brastoff-absract-ashtraySascha Brastoff aabstractplate

Sascha-Brastoff-ceramic-art golden doveSascha Brastoff ceramic art sculpture

Sascha Brastoff plate

Sascha Brastoff ‘Smoke Tree Black Gray plate

 

 

MID-CENTURY-MODERN-Sascha Brastoff

Pagoda’s decorative plate -Sascha Brastoff

 

 

Mid Century vase - Sascha Bradtoff

Sascha Brastoff abstract series vase

 

 

Modernist Sascha Brastoff red black lava ashtraySascha Brastoff  – red black ashtray

 

 

 Vintage-Sascha-Brastoff-Plate

Vintage modernist wall plate

 

 

Sascha Brastoff - blackgold surf ballet- ceramic coffee pot

Blackgold surf ballet- ceramic coffee pot

 

 

Sascha Brastoff - abstract fish mosaic plaltter

Mid-century abstract fish mosaic platter – Sascha Barstoff

 

 

Aztec-bird-shaped-bowl by Sascha Brastoff

Aztec bird shaped bowl – Sascha Brastoff

 

 

 

AFRICAN-AND-EGYPTIAN-MASKS---Sascha-Brastoff

Three African wall masks – Sascha Brastoff

 

 

Sascha Brastoff - Mysterious Objet DArte

Sascha Brastoff wall decoration from Forbidden Planet movie set

 

 

GOLD-MOSAIC-NATIVE-MASK-Sascha-Brastoff

African ceramic gold mask – Sascha Brastoff

 

 

 

Sascha-Brastoff----Aztec-Priest-platter

Aztec platter – Sascha Brastoff

 

 

 

Sascha-Brastoff-Ceramic-Table-Lamp--LiveAuctioneers-Skinner

Table lamp – Sascha Brastoff

 

 

 

Sascha-Brastoff-red village dish

Sascha Brastoff red village plaque/dish

 

 

 

Sascha-Brastoff-Mid-Century-Ashtray---Atomic,-Amoeba,-Free-Form

Free Form Atomic, Amoeba ashtray – Sascha Brastoff

 

 

 

Sascha-Brastoff-Hollywood Pottery-Factory

Sascha Brastoff Hollywood Pottery Factory

 

 

 

More Californian pottery

Clemison pottery California figurines

Mid-Century salt and pepper shakers – Cleminson Pottery of California

 

 

Vintage-1950s-Marc-Bellaire-Still-Life-California-Pottery-Cocktail-Decanter-Set

Vintage 1950s Marc Bellaire Still Life California Pottery Cocktail Decanter Set

ModernDesignResource

 

 

 

Yona-Asian-Pair in matching red and green outfits -etsy-VintageRevivalStudio

Yona Asian Pair

etsy- VintageRevivalStudio

 

 

 

Marc-Bellaire-Mardi-Gras-Harlequins-Dish-MID-CENTURY-Pottery-hsbargaincity-ebay-Marc-Belliare-for-California--Pottery

Marc Bellaire Mardi Gras Harlequins Dish

 

 

 

Vintage-Mid-Century-Mod-50's-Marc-Bellaire-California-Art-Pottery---vintage914

Coffee Pot – Mid Century Modern Marc Bellaire California Art Pottery

1950’s

vintage914 ebay

Marc Bellaire - plate with show girl decoration

A decorative wall plaque/plate by Marc Bellaire who was a protege of Sascha Brastoff, who eventually became a  competitor.

 

 

 

Marc-Bellaire-Signed-Mid-Century-California-Atomic-Lamp

Marc Bellaire Signed Mid-Century California Atomic Lamp

 ebay – michipeggy

 

 

 

Marc-Bellaire-'Jamaica'-Line-Console-Bowl-Modernist-Vintage-California-Pottery

Marc Bellaire ‘Jamaica’ Line Console Bowl

 

 

Kathy Urbach vintage ceramic bust

A fabulous showgirl head vase from this era designed by Kathi Urbach

 

 

Sources cited :

myantiquemall.com

http://www.collectorsweekly.com    Who Killed American Kitsch? by Ben Marks

midcenturyliving.blogspot.com.au/

 
 
 
 
 

 

10 Comments

  1. Pat
    Posted April 6, 2013 at 9:04 pm | Permalink

    Found your exciting website by chance. It’s wonderful. I’ll be going back to visit when I can.

  2. Anonymous
    Posted September 14, 2014 at 3:10 pm | Permalink

    Need price on tv. lamp

  3. Samantha
    Posted December 14, 2014 at 7:48 pm | Permalink

    Thrilled you used my Sascha Brastoff Mosaic-line vase (Mid-century carved vase – Sascha Brastoff) for your wonderful article. I would however appreciate photog credit for it.

    Thanks in advance,

    Samantha Stolberg
    re:HOME

  4. Rhonda
    Posted December 21, 2014 at 7:02 pm | Permalink

    Awesome art work….I was given a bowl with Sascha Brastoff name on it…I was looking for info and founded this page…thank you

  5. Diana
    Posted May 14, 2015 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    I just one of the Vintage Hedi Schoop harlequin dancers. I got it at auction. BUT I just have one not the mate. How much is it worth by itself? I see the pair selling for around $200.00. Thank you!

  6. Kelly
    Posted January 26, 2016 at 3:04 pm | Permalink

    This artists work caught my mother’s eye when she found the horse painted ashtray. All background info was hard to find (before internet). This ashtray is signed with “03”. I am wondering if this is one of the earlier pieces. There isn’t a letter proceeding it, as I have found on other work. My mom would have loved to have read this article and now I know. Thanks for publishing.

  7. Stephen Brooks Calloway
    Posted January 28, 2018 at 9:06 am | Permalink

    I have a pastel signed by Sasha brastoff. It belonged to my husband’s mother; native Californian. I’m trying to find out more about this pastel. Can you help me? Thank you.

  8. Robin Carlson
    Posted July 8, 2018 at 2:45 am | Permalink

    I have a bud vase that on a Facebook antiques chat room, someone said it may be Hedi Schoop. I can’t identify it anywhere. I’m not a serious collector by any means. And very inexperienced. Could someone please steer me in the right direction. I wish I could post pics.

  9. Carolyn Pearson
    Posted August 4, 2018 at 12:56 am | Permalink

    THANKS!!! LOVED finding the INFO on my latest Goodwill find!!! I’m setting up my whole house Mid Century Scandinavian /Danish. I found an ashtray signed SASCHAB at my local Goodwill, KNEW it was the “real” deal. It is an “Free Form Atomic, Amoeba ashtray”, with the colors of “aabstractplate”. Has some tiny chips on the edges. I never smoke, & don’t allow smoking, but so subtle that’s its an ashtary.

  10. Patricia Wallace
    Posted May 7, 2020 at 9:31 am | Permalink

    This is a great website. I found it because I was looking to place a dollar value on several items that was left to me. I have bowl which appears to be a Hedi Schoop design. There is a signature on the with the words Desert Flowers. It a lovely piece. It has a black background with cactus stems and a couple of flowers I don’t recognize. If possible may I send you picture to get your input. Thank you. Patricia e-mail [email protected]

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