On offer is a rare piece of functional pottery from the celebrated ceramicist Marianne Westman: the hand-painted “Vitaminer” canister with a teak and cork lid. Intended to hold simple odds and ends, Vitaminer literally translates to “Vitamins.” And while this jar can certainly store vitamins, pills, and the like, it also a nod to Westman’s flair for injecting a touch of whimsy into her kitchenware. The word “Vitaminer" appear just once on the front face of the jar in a marquee framed by a double-lined border. The remainder of the jar has alternating blue and grayish-white vertical striping around the body. This jar (burk) stands approximately 4 ¾ inches tall when lidded (12 cm), and has a diameter of just under 4 inches (10cm). Its capacity is about 500 ml. There were actually three types of Vitaminerburkar (“vitamin jars”) produced, and this is the largest of the series. Of all of Westman’s MW77 canisters, this is my absolute favorite.
Marianne Westman worked for the Rörstrand factory from
1950-1971, where she enjoyed tremendous success, becoming renowned for her whimsical,
light-hearted household pottery designs.
Her creations were so wildly successful – both domestically and abroad –
that she was often lovingly referred to as the “Mother of Porcelain” by her colleagues
at Rörstrand, which included Hertha Bengtson and Carl-Harry Stålhane.
Condition Report:
This jar is in very good vintage condition. There is
no evidence of repair to this item.
This is a hand-painted piece, and as such, the dark blue glazing can have a streaky appearance when held on an oblique tilt, as if it were paint brushed on (no doubt, an artistic choice). The most obvious areas of “underglazing” can be found on the lower front face of the jar within the blue band of glaze right beneath the “MINER” scripting (Picture 9, 6 o'clock). There are also some raised pinpoints noted at the beginning of the three blue bands of glaze to the right of the “Vita-Miner” marquee (Picture 10). There is also noted a very faint errant spot of blue ink just north of the “T” in the “VITA - “ scripting on the front face of the jar (Picture 9, 12 o’clock); as well as two very faint errant “pinpots” of black ink within the recess of the letter “V” and the exterior of the letter “R” (Picture 9). Again, these manufacturing anomalies are not uncommon on a hand-painted item such as this, but they are highlighted for accuracy, as well as for the benefit of anyone requiring that this item be in a more mint-like condition.
When rotated under oblique lighting, several areas of light scratching are noted, the most significant of which is actually also on the front face of the jar: There is a two-inch-long vertical scuff in the grey area of the marquee just left of the letter “A.” This is not easily visible when looking at the jar under normal conditions, but the mark does catch the fingernail when rubbed (exaggerated in Picture 12). Despite these very critical observations, the jar is structurally sound and presents rather beautifully. There is no evidence of crazing (craquelure), cracks, or fissures. The rim is smooth, and the interior is clean and odor-free. The base of the interior sidewalls are slightly rough to the touch when compared to the top, but this is not uncommon on Westman burkar such as this. The lid has been well cared for and has a beautiful patina and color. The lid’s underside has been cleaned and degreased, and while it is rough in spots, it provides a moderately snug fit that does not allow it to consistently rest flush with the jar’s rim when it is in position. (If you would prefer a lid with a looser fit that rests flush with the jar, please let me know so that I can make the substitution for you.) Whether used as a display piece or for holding household knick-knacks or other foodstuffs, this unusual jar is quite a find and one of the more collectible Westman design. This jar is stamped with the “Rörstrand Sweden” logo and Marianne Westman’s initials.
Shipping:
The listed shipping is for buyers in the contiguous United States. If you reside in Alaska or Hawaii, please contact me for a shipping quote. My auctions are currently closed to international customers, but if you reside outside the US and are interested in bidding, please reach out to me. (Please understand that I am not responsible for any duties or delays imposed by Customs in your country, and I cannot declare any items shipped to you for less than their sale price.)
Since I am a new seller, for auction lots with more than one item, I may use an outside packing service in order to help ensure that your purchase arrives damage-free. Fragile collectibles will be double-boxed where appropriate and practical.
Return Policy:
As a longtime buyer of vintage pottery, I understand that disappointments sometimes happen. Terms like “excellent” and “near mint” are subjective, meaning wildly different things to different people, especially as it relates to used items. And it can be difficult to agree on when “wear and tear consistent with age” has ventured into the territory of actual damage. Rather than quibble, if you are dissatisfied with any item that you purchase from me, for any reason, simply return it to me within 14 days in the condition in which it was sent, and I will happily refund your money. I will pay for return shipping costs, but regrettably, I cannot refund outbound shipping and handling fees in such cases. Of course, should an item sustain any damage during transit, you will receive a complete refund. (In the event that a multi-item shipment sustains only partial damage, please contact me so that we can work out a satisfactory solution.) All I ask in return is that you document any damage, retain all packing materials, and assist me during the claims process.
In my experience, the best transactions are ones where there
is open, honest communication on both sides.
My goal is to find happy homes for these treasures, with the hope that
they will bring their new owners as much joy as they’ve brought me.
About Me:
I have been an avid Blue Fire (Blå Eld) and Koka Blue (Koka Blå) collector for almost 20 years. I own over 400 pieces in each line, so if you are hunting for something in particular, please reach out to me – there’s a good chance that I have what you’re looking for. I absolutely love chatting with other Rorstrand enthusiasts!
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’d rather be deluged with questions than to
have my buyers experience one drop of regret with any item that I sell.
