The Eva Zeisel Collection
Press Release: 25 January 2008
EVA ZEISEL AND ROYAL STAFFORD: TOGETHER AGAIN
ROYAL STAFFORD, Stoke-on-Trent, England announces theintroduction of EVA ZEISEL’s first dinnerware collection in over 50 years. Appropriately named, ONE-O-ONE was ready to be manufactured by ROYAL STAFFORD in time for Eva’s 101st birthday. ONE-O-ONE launches in the USA this spring.
ONE-O-ONE – Dramatically curved plates and sauce bowl
EVA ZEISEL: A LIFETIME OF FIRSTS
Internationally known for her organic modernist ceramic works, EVA ZEISEL is truly one of the foremost designers of the Twentieth Century. With her career spanning into the Twenty First Century her remarkable life has led her from Hungary, through Germany, and Soviet Russia to her current residence in the USA.
Eva was born Eva Amalia Striker in Budapest on 13th November 1906. Alexander, her father, was the owner of a textile factory whilst her mother, Laura Polanyi ran a kindergarten and was the first woman to receive a doctorate from a Hungarian University. At eighteen, Eva enrolled at Budapest’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts with the ambition to become a painter. However before she completed the course, Eva left so she could learn a trade. She became an apprentice to a local potter. As the first woman member of “The Hungarian Guild of Chimney Sweeps, Over Makers, Roof Tilers, Well Diggers and Potters”, she spent her days treading clay with her bare feet and travelled from house to house with her master to repair and install ovens.
In 1928 Eva moved to Germany to work at one of Germany’s best known factories – Shramberger Majolika Fabrik in the Black Forest. It was here influenced by the Modernist architecture of the time and the Bauhaus students; she was one of the first to design geometric shapes for ceramics. These were successful and were mainly exported to America.
Her curiosity and her success led her to visit the Soviet Union in 1932 and shortly afterwards she began working with the Soviet ceramics industry. At only 29, she was made Artistic Director of the Soviet China and Glass Industry; another first.
In 1936, falsely accused of involvement in a plot to assassinate Joseph Stalin, she found herself imprisoned for sixteen months. Due to the efforts of her many influential friends, just as she thought she was going to be executed, Eva was repatriated to Vienna. Six months later, as Hitler moved in to Austria she headed to England. It was here she met up with her ex-boyfriend from Berlin, Hans Zeisel. Shortly after they married and sailed to New York.
Soon thereafter, she found herself working on ceramic design in a room at the Pratt Institute. Her work was quickly recognised for its excellence, and she was asked to set up a course on ceramic design. The first recognised course in the USA for industrial design.
Shortly after this, she was commissioned to design America’s first “all white” dinnerware service in collaboration with the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MoMA). Delayed by WWII, in 1946 MoMA exhibited the collection and the reaction left no question of EVA ZEISEL’s importance as one of the leaders in modern ceramic design.
Many commissions followed for famous department stores and many dinnerware and glass manufacturers. This led to the development of two of the best selling dinnerware patterns of the 1950’s – Classic and Century.
Honours followed from the Royal College of Arts in London, Pratt Legends award and the Russell Wright Award.
In 2004, she began her relationship with ROYAL STAFFORD. Selecting the best items from the original block moulds used for both the Classic and the Century shapes, a new collection called Classic Century was recreated by ROYAL STAFFORD in England and launched to a new generation five decades after its initial success.
In the early stages of development, CRATE & BARREL viewed the collection and became ROYAL STAFFORD’S exclusive distributor of Classic Century within the USA.
EVA became inspired by this success and energised by the devotion of a new generation of admirers. At one hundred years of age Eva started to create a new dinnerware collection for ROYAL STAFFORD.
Appropriately named ONE-O-ONE, the new collection was ready for its first manufacture in time for Eva’s 101st birthday at the end of 2007.
ROYAL STAFFORD: QUALITY AND VALUE
FROM
AN ENGLISH CLASSIC
ROYAL STAFFORD was established in 1845 by Thomas Poole in the town of Longton within Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Now, ROYAL STAFFORD is based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent in a building which is over 200 years old. The Royal Overhouse Manufactory was for two centuries owned by the Wedgwood family when it was part of the Overhouse Estate.
ROYAL STAFFORD has excellent manufacturing equipment within their factory and has developed printing techniques which are the envy of the ceramics industry.
As well as marketing their own collection, ROYAL STAFFORD is known for working with leaders in trend and design as well as making for private label.
ROYAL STAFFORD has a reputation for excellent quality products, whilst remaining focussed on their customers and the market they fall within.
ROYAL STAFFORD delivers quality, affordable, English ceramics at competitive prices whilst their collections are desirable yet functional in the home.
ONE-O-ONE: DISTINCTIVE DESIGN
Inspired by the success of their previous partnership, Eva and ROYAL
STAFFORD agreed to develop a new dinnerware collection together.
Energised by the new generation of followers for her style and design, Eva spent the summer of 2006 in her eclectically decorated Rockland County farmhouse working with her favourite Russian modeller. Sitting in the back garden of her country house in Rockland County, New York; Eva examines the smooth lines of a teapot she has just modelled. Favouring items which “feel good in your hands”, her creations are simple, organic and graceful.
The House Glass Effect - Naturally formed, the teapot,
sugar, creamer and cruets sit perfectly together
EVA started to create her new collection at one hundred years of age. After many months work, the range was available to market in time for her 101st birthday in November 2007.
EVA says she never designs one piece alone, but imagines them working together as a family. Many of the pieces in the appropriately named ONE-O-ONE collection are multi-functional. The sauce boat for example could be used for gravy, water, milk or wine.
ROYAL STAFFORD has taken her designs and with the same care, precision and skill each piece was hand worked within the factory with the same passion and ambition as EVA. Trials were made, and remade a few times to ensure every curve and shape was recreated, but still able to be efficiently cast within a modern manufacturing environment.
BLOOMINGDALES TO INTRODUCE ONE-O-ONE SPRING 08
ROYAL STAFFORD announces that BLOOMINGDALES will introduce ONE-O-ONE in late February 2008.
Richard Warner, Buyer of Decorative Housewares for BLOOMINGDALES was one of the first to see the new collection and jumped at the opportunity to introduce it to the U.S. market. “We’ve had great success with other products designed by Eva, and we are all delighted to be introducing ONE-O-ONE. It looks terrific and we know
BLOOMINGDALES customers will really appreciate this stunning collection, its exceptional value and excellence in design and function.”
WORKING WITH EVA: AN HONOUR
Norman Tempest, Managing Director of ROYAL STAFFORD said “Once
again it’s been an honour to work with EVA on a new
collection for ROYAL STAFFORD. Working on Classic
Century gave us the opportunity to bring a timeless piece of work back for
today’s consumer to cherish.
Working with EVA on ONE-O-ONE has been a different, but rewarding challenge. This time we have worked together to develop a new movement in modern design which encapsulates today’s need for functionality with the simplicity yet fineness of true English ceramics. Launched in honour of EVA ZEISEL’s 101st birthday, this collection will adorn many homes around the world for many years to come.”
CLASSIC, YET MODERN: FUNCTIONAL AND APPEALING
With the continued demand for good design with classic style and appeal, ROYAL
STAFFORD’S ONE-O-ONE dinnerware collection
by EVA ZEISEL appeals to many.
Its cleanness and crispness works well in the home for everyday use of for entertaining friends. The casual pieces such as the sauce boat are idyllic in style but exceptionally versatile and functional. The sauce boat can be used for dressings, for sauces both savoury and sweet; can also be used for milk, water or wine.
Although classically neutral in colour, the collection is also full of the warmth of colour and life.
Its simplicity, but elegance appeals to young and old; yet is versatile to be at home in both modern apartments and traditional country homes.
The beautifully, finely crafted plates work as everyday use or dressed for entertainment with family and friends. The depth of the range of items in the collection cater for all uses from salads for BBQ’s to summer fruit puddings or jelly and ice cream.
THE ROCKLAND BOWL – AN ICONIC DESIGN FOR THE 21st CENTURY
THE ROCKLAND BOWL – An Organically Curved Bowl, ideal
as a centre piece
Included in the ONE-O-ONE collection is the Rockland bowl. This more than anything exhibits the vitality, sensuousness and timeless classic of Eva’s work.
Beautifully manufactured by ROYAL STAFFORD in England, it captures the zeitgeist of not only all of her work, but of the whole spirit of modernist design.
“What’s really marvellous,” says Peter Ayers Tarantino, of ROYAL STAFFORD/USA, “is that not only does the design excellence place the bowl in the Pantheon of modern design, it’s also exceptionally well priced and affordable. It’s timeless and will look fantastic in both contemporary interiors and as a spark of life in the more traditional ones.”
Ends:/
Eva Zeisel - Firing the imagination
Eva was born Eva Amalia Striker on November 13, 1906 in Budapest, her father
Alexander was a textile factory owner and her mother Laura Polanyi ran
a progressive kindergarten. Her mother was the first woman to receive a
doctorate from a Hungarian university.
At eighteen Eva enrolled in the Kepzomuveszeti Academia (Budapest’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts) to become a painter but after eighteen months she left. Her parents insisted she learn a trade so she enrolled as an apprentice with a local potter making her the first woman member of “The Hungarian Guild of Chimney Sweeps Oven Makers, Roof Tilers, Well Diggers and Potters” She trod clay with her bare feet and travelled from house to house with her master to repair and install ovens.
At twenty-one Eva got her second position at an Art-pottery, Hansa Kunsterkeramik in Hamburg, Germany but her throwing was not proficient enough so after six months she returned to Budapest.
In 1928 she applied for a job at one of Germanys best known factories Shramberger Majolika Fabrik in the Black Forest and the geometric shapes she designed were starting to be exported mainly to America. A major influence on her work was the Modernist architecture of the time and the designs of the Bauhaus students.
One of the most intellectually stimulating times in Eva's life was in
1931 when she lived together with her brother Michael in a rented studio
in Berlin. The location was nearby to the Romanisches Café,
considered at the time to be the intellectual epicentre of the world. At
the time in Berlin, Russian culture and folk art were extremely popular
and Eva's enjoyment led her to visit Russia in 1932. A boyfriend,
Alex Weissberg was already working as a physicist and obtained a visa
for Eva by saying they "were engaged to be married".
On arrival a visit to a local factory run by the Ukrainian China & Glass
trust resulted in a job and Eva being sent to visit ceramic factories across
the Ukraine. Six months later she was transferred to the Lomonosov
Porcelain Factory near St. Petersburg where she worked with the artist Nikolai
Suetin and then in 1934 to Dulevo near Moscow then the second largest ceramic
factory in the world. At 29 years of age Eva was made Artistic Director
of the China & Glass Industry. She was tasked to come up with
a standard service to be used throughout the Soviet Union but before completion
the idea was scrapped. As well as the many ceramic designs she produced
were also designs for bottles and electrical fixtures and store interiors. For
the sake of good order she also married Alex Weissberg.
Now the darkest
period of Eva’s life, when in May 1936 she was arrested
in Moscow for conspiring to assassinate Stalin. Her success had brought
many enemies and for sixteen months she was incarcerated in various
prisons, held in solitary confinement and interrogated. However
on September 17th 1937 believing she was to be executed she was in fact
repatriated to Vienna due to the efforts of many of her influential contacts. Six
months later as Hitler moved into Austria through the ‘front door’,
Eva escaped via the ‘back door’ to England where she met up
with an old boyfriend she had met in 1931 during her time in Berlin. Already
divorced they married in 1938 and sailed to New York.
In America one of her first contacts was with the Bay Ridge Company in New Jersey to design a line of Giftware. Working out of a room on the Pratt Institute campus her work was recognised and the Institute asked her to prepare a course on ceramic design. This was the first time ceramics were dealt with as ‘Industrial Design’ as opposed to ‘Arts & Crafts’.
In the early 40’s Eva was approached by the Museum of Modern Art to design the first ‘all white china service’ in the States. Working with Castleton China and delayed due to W.W.II it wasn't until 1946 that MoMA exhibited the collection ad the reaction left no question of Eva Zeisels importance as one of the leaders in modern ceramic design. Many commissions followed for famous department stores and Eva worked with a number of important manufacturers. It was her work at Hall China in the early 50’s which attracted the attention of Royal Stafford and discovering that Eva still retained the original block moulds led them to recreate items from the Classic and Century shapes for a new generation, 5 decades and the next millennium from the original concept.
For further information consult;
Web site; www.evazeisel.org
Books; Eva
Zeisel by Lucie
Young
Eva
Zeisel On Design by Eva
Zeisel
Eva Zeisel Biography
- Born November 13th in Budapest
- Enters the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Kepzomuveszeti Academia in Budapest).
- Becomes the first woman member of the Hungarian Guild of Chimney Sweeps, Oven Makers, Roof Tilers, Well Diggers, and Potters.
- Visits the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris.
- First job at Hansa Kunstkeramik, a small art pottery studio in Hamburg
- Designs over 200 objects for the Schramberger Majolika Fabrik, in Schramberg, Germany .
- Works for Christian Carstens Kommerz Gessellschaft in Germany while living five doors away from the famous Romanisches Café in Berlin.
- January 1st, visits Russia “to see what is behind the mountain.” Designs for the Lomonosov factory near St. Petersburg.
- Works at Dulevo, near Moscow, the world’s second largest ceramics factory.
- Promoted to the post of Artistic Director of the China and Glass Industry in Russia.
- May 28th, arrested and imprisoned in Moscow on suspicion of plotting to assassinate Stalin.
- Arrives in Manhattan with $64 in her pocket.
- Establishes the first American course teaching ceramics as industrial design at Pratt Institure, Brooklyn, New York.
- Designs America’s first Modern, all-white, china dinner service, the Museum line for Castleton China of New Castle, Pennsylvania.
- The Museum line is presented to the public at a special exhibition at the museum of Modern Art (Castleton’s production was held up due to wartime conditions). Designs the Town and Country service for Red Wing Pottery in Minnesota.
- Opens a design studio in the basement of her apartment building on Riverside Drive and West 115th Street in New York.
- Receives a mechanical patent for a tubular steel and canvas chair (now part of the MoMA permanent collection).
Designs Hallcraft / Tomorrow’s Classic dinner service for Hall China
- Creates the Prestige line for Federal Glass. The glasses are produced at the rate of one a second and sell al over the world.
- Designs the Hallcraft/Century dinner service for Hall China.
- Teaches for a year at the Rhode Island School of Design.
- Creates her last design for 20 years for Hyalyn Pottery, Hickory, North Carolina.
- Visits the Zsolnay factory in Pecs, Hungary, and designs sculptural modern ceramics using colourful iridescent glazes.
- “Eva Zeisel: Designer for Industry” retrospective at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs de Montréal, which then travels to America and Europe.
- Designs Pinnacle dinnerware for International China.
- Honorary Doctorate from Royal College of Art, London.
- Honorary Doctorate from Parsons New School, New York City.
- Designs first of three interiors for the first Original Leather store in New York City.
- Designs and builds an office interior for John Striker, the president of Brownstone Publishers.
- Designs line of metal dishes, crystal vases, lamps, and ceramics for Nambé. Creates six Eva vases for KleinReid in Brooklyn, New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art launches a re-edition of the Red Wing Town and Country line in its stores. “Lost Molds and Found Dinnerware: Discovering Eva Zeisel’s Hallcraft,” a retrospective of her work at the Schien Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art, Alfred University, New York. Establishes Eva Zeisel Web site.
- Returns to Lomonosov in Russia to design a modern tea set. IDSA (Industrial Design Society of America) Bronze Apple Award.
- Honorary Member, American Ceramics Society. Creates a martini glass for Bombay Sapphire Gin’s ad campaign.
- Receives Pratt Legends Award and Russel Wright Award.
2004 Creation of “Classic Century” by Royal Stafford, England,from original moulds of Eva’s Classic and Century designs.
Eva is appointed an Honorary Royal Designer for Industry by the RDI in London.
- Creation of “Classic Century Noir” by Royal Stafford.
- Creation of “One-0-One by Royal Stafford
