Posted 13 years ago
vetraio50
(756 items)
I picked this enamel up at a market here in Sydney 20 years ago. The enamel is 20cm x 14 cm ( 8ins x 5in.ns).
It is signed at the lower right. It looks like "Kál". It is pinned to a board at each corner and stands proud of a linen covered frame. I believe it to be mid-century. I love the colours. The detail in the portraits is quite strong as well. The young man has an unusual haircut and they both look quite hip in a European sort of way.
If you can help me with identifying this enamel, I'd be really happy. It's a mystery to me. I always thought it had a French look to it.
It's so unusual I find it hard to put in any other category other than Mid-century Modern.
Many thanks BELLIN68, scandinavian_pieces and ozmarty!
Interesting piece. Try googling - Doris Hall and Kalman Kubinyi enamel.
They were a couple who did incredible enamel. This piece reminds me of their work.
You would have to do research to figure it out. And... the fact that you found this piece in Australia is a bit of a mystery in its own right.
Good Luck.
Take a look at the Enamel Arts Foundation site for images you might match up with.
Many thanks agoodworks.
I have been frustrated searching for years and you are the first to have suggested some new possibilities. I'm on the case yet again.
I am most grateful!
I've had a look on the net, the Enamel Arts Foundation site and am certainly interested by your suggestions. What interests me is the signature that I had thought was "Kali".
It may in fact read Kál or Kal.
There may be an accent over the 'a' .
It could well be a short form of this common Jewish name.
Kálmán Mátyás Béla Kubinyi ( does CW handle these accents? )
Kalman Matyas Bela Kubinyi
Kalman Kubinyi had never occurred to me before.
On the net I've only seen his signature on prints and the K.K. signature although on one bowl there is something similar to the "Kal":
Even if it is not by Kal Kubinyi, I have at least learnt something about the Cleveland W.P.A. arts project.
But I've also learnt about Doris Hall.
"Kubinyi reportedly once said of their collaboration, "Control of color, design and most of the application of the enamel is done by Doris. I beat out the large sculptural forms, the metal forming, fabrication, ground coats, compounding of enamels, spraying and burning of undercoats. I take the brunt of the preparation.
During the 1940s, Kubinyi and his wife opened a gallery and studio in Gloucester, Massachusetts. They later opened a studio/gallery in downtown Boston, and finally a studio in Stockbridge, where Kubinyi also directed the art department for Hans Maeder's Stockbridge School."
http://wn.com/Kálmán_Kubinyi
I also came across Karl Drerup, whose work impressed me. And Ruth Raemisch too!
Thanks again for your help.
I will keep my eyes open as I go along collecting and studying ... because I feel that I have seen something similar. Really a beautiful piece.
Many thanks thriftfan!
Many thanks SEAN & MANIKIN!
Many thanks DLPETERSEN !!!
Many thanks NEWFLD !.!!.!
Many thanks AURA & VYNIL !.!!!.!