#evazeisel

Pepper shaker, Eva Zeisel, 1947-c. 1955, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture

biomorphic shaped; 4 holes at top; blue glaze; cork stopper on bottom Size: H.3-1/8 x W.2-9/16 x D.1-15/16 in. Medium: Glazed earthenware, cork

Salt shaker, Eva Zeisel, 1947-c. 1955, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture

biomorphic shaped; 3 holes at top; chartreuse glaze; cork stopper on bottom Size: H.4-9/16 x W.3-1/16 x D.2-7/8 in. Medium: Glazed earthenware, cork

Lazy susan, Eva Zeisel, 1947-c. 1955, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture

lazy susan with removable central section; blonde finish; green felt on base Size: H.3-15/16 x Dia.18-1/4 in. (overall) Medium: Wood, metal, felt

Teapot, Eva Zeisel, c. 1952, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture

Silver colored Eva Zeisel was among the influential designers who helped define the clean, casual postwar aesthetic adopted by middle-class American families. Claiming "men have no concept of how to design things for the home," Zeisel believed that "women should design the things they use." Among her most important early commissions was "Museum," a striking porcelain tableware service created for the Museum of Modern Art in 1946. In 1952, Zeisel was commissioned to design a line for Hall China called "Tomorrow's Classic." It quickly became an enormous success, showcasing the appealing sculptural approach Zeisel was known for. Meant to add an artistic and playful touch to the consumer's daily life, "Tomorrow's Classic" was readily available with transfer-printed decoration. The silver-glazed coffee pot and teapot shown here are rare variations of the line. Although these sensuous, biomorphic pieces convey a sense of luxury, Zeisel's contemporary tableware remained readily affordable to the general American public. Size: 6 x 9 x 5 in. (15.24 x 22.86 x 12.7 cm) Medium: Silver-glazed ceramic

Large pitcher, Eva Zeisel, 1947-c. 1955, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture

round-bodied pitcher with organic, flat handle extending from side of body opposite forward-tilting spout; white interior; sand exterior Perhaps Eva Zeisel's best-known design is her "Town and Country" line for Minnesota's Red Wing Pottery. It was spurred by a suggestion from Hubert Haddon Varney, the company's president, in the mid-1940s to create something "Greenich Villagey," meaning something slightly bohemian that would appeal to younger, more casual-living consumers in post-World War II America. Zeisel's forms are characterized by the undulating curves that animate each piece, an organic quality being explored by painters and sculptors of the period such as Isamu Noguchi and Jean Arp. "Town and Country" was produced from 1947 until the early 1950s. Size: H.8-3/8 x W.7-3/16 x D.6-9/16 in. Medium: Glazed earthenware

Mixing bowl, Eva Zeisel, 1947-c. 1955, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture

high-sided bowl with wide spout; slightly raised and extended lip opposite spout serves as handle; blue glaze Size: H.5 x W.9-3/4 x D.8-3/16 in. Medium: Glazed earthenware

Sauce dish, from Town and Country dinnerware line, Eva Zeisel, 1947-c. 1955, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture

teardrop-shaped with point rounded and pulled slightly toward one side; forest green glaze Size: H.2-1/4 x W.5-1/16 x D.6-1/8 in. Medium: Glazed earthenware

Relish or serving dish, from Town and Country dinnerware line, Eva Zeisel, 1947-c. 1955, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture

bulbous teardrop-shaped with point very small and rounded, pulled slightly toward one side; blue glaze Size: H.1-3/4 x W.5-15/16 x D.8-11/16 in. Medium: Glazed earthenware