Posted 11 years ago
mikelv85
(1232 items)
Found this odd heavy terra cotta plate/ash tray along with the vases this afternoon. Has a bunch of large "glyphs" on the front. Don't know if they mean anything. I'm not sure if it is even an ashtray. The notches on the edge are unevenly spaced and it is kind of big at 10" in diameter. The back is signed "DAGA" with 90 above it. A quick online search found nothing. Thought it was interesting for .99 cents. -Mike-
NOTE: Thanks to finderskeypurs for the info on this piece. While not a 100% sure about the ID based on the slight difference in the signature. I will attribute this to him for the time being. The glaze and the Aborignal style "glyphs" seem to point to his early work in Australia. -Mike-
History:
www.australianpotteryatbemboka
Maigonis Daga
Maigonis Daga (1923-2001) was born in Riga, Latvia. He immigrated to Australia in 1948 as a refugee, settling in Adelaide and attending the Adelaide School of Fine Arts where he studied sculpture. He operated a successful commercial pottery studio in Adelaide from 1954-1964 where he became widely known for his sculpted animal forms. Work made in Australia, mainly slip cast vases in a modernist style, is incised 'Daga'. Moving his family to the US , he opened his next studio in Minneapolis and became quite well known in the 1970's. After he moved to the USA he quit doing his Modern pieces which means that his total output of these lasted only 10 years. His studio is still in operation today.
It's possibly by Maigon Daga?
Signature is different but maybe it's really early, the 90 probably not a date anyway since it's obviously older than that.
If it is it's a good piece.
Thanks again finderskeypurs......I'll search around some more with the info you provided. I think is might be more from the 50's or 60's myself. -Mike-
Not so sure about these glyphs as being Australian. I found a piece of Daga myself today .... still not sure if it is US or Oz manufacture .... and researching it found an advertising piece with a signature the same as yours. Whereas on mine there is a script form.
How interesting Kevin. Thanks for reviving this old post. I'm not even sure where I put this piece. Kudos to finderskeypurs for his info at least I found out about the artist. :)
You'll find that signature here !!
Forget to add it, LOL
http://www.ebay.com/cln/anntiquerose/daga-pottery/92344612012
Wow..his animals are really nice and seem to be his forte. I should have looked into this more than I did. Thanks for the link Kevin. :)