A Bowl by Erik Plön (Ploen)

Erik Plön (1925 - 2004) was a well known Norwegian potter He set up his own pottery in 1946 in Hedmark just after the Occupation. The famous architect Eric Herløw included much of Plön's work in the Paris exhibition "Formes Scandinaves" in 1958. He won the Lunning Prize and did a stint in the US as a visiting professor at the Universtity of Chicago.

He devised a series of unique glazes that have become his trademark. He did everything himself in his shop: working, throwing and sculpting the clay, and the firing and the glazing.

This bowl retains its sold sticker, exhibition number and original price: 7 guineas ( £7. 7. 0 ). In Australia we went decimal in 1966, so I believe the bowl is from the early sixties.

A press release from February 07, 1964 tells of pots made in the US:
"Norwegian potter Erik Ploen is currently in residence for three quarters as a guest instructor at the Midway Studios of the University of Chicago. He has been invited to exhibit at Italy's famous Triennale di Milano in 1964, and will show there stoneware made from a combination of Norwegian and Ohio clay. This is the first time he will use clay from this country. Mr. Ploen has been delighted to find the new kilns at the Midway Studios capable of reaching the high heat he thinks necessary for proper firing."