Sten Lykke Madsen Sculpture
for Royal Copenhagen 1989
Very unusual Royal Copenhagen stoneware sculpture of a fish (or reptile?) perched on the side of a large bowl, created by Sten Lykke Madsen. The bowl portion is approximately 8.5 inches (~21.5 cm) in diameter and 5.5 inches (~14 cm) high; the “creature” stands just over 10 inches (~26 cm) high. Appropriately marked on the bottom, including the three wavy line trademark of Royal Copenhagen. Impressed artist signature STEN and date 1989.
This is a literally unique (one of a kind) sculpture, hand sculpted and hand decorated and signed in the clay by the artist. I purchased this more than 30 years ago directly from the Royal Copenhagen factory where Sten Lykke Madsen was working after the 1987 merger of Bing & Grondahl with Royal Copenhagen. These unique pieces were typically only sold at special exhibitions of contemporary ceramics, but I was given a “behind the scenes” tour and was able to meet directly with the artist and purchase several of his unique sculptures.
The following was adapted from an article on Sten Lykke Madsen by Ole Lindboe entitled The Fanciful Ceramist:
“More than any other, Sten Lykke Madsen embodies the fanciful in Danish ceramics. In his universe, the imagination is on a continuous voyage of discovery. His strange but benign mutants tumble about. You might feel somewhat ill at ease upon first meeting his creatures and their fickle natures. Imagine turning your back on them for a minute: What might they do?
Sten Lykke Madsen is blessed with a both simpleminded and refined sense of the wonder of life. His deeply original sense of form has a touch of cubism. The world is lightly twisted; turned upside-down. Cracks to the subconscious open up. It is anarchistic in a beautiful and subtly witty manner.
There is no doubt that Sten Lykke Madsen is one of our great artists in his special field. The dichotomy between art and crafts loses all meaning when you visit his world. It is freewheeling fancy. He has retained his childhood’s ability to wonder, which he shares with the viewer. He can be surprised and surprising; amused and amusing. He is a watcher who always looks again, pondering the details, spotting the small in the great – and the great in the small.”
Sten Lykke Madsen was born 1937 Copenhagen, Denmark. He was stone deaf from birth (Sten means “stone” in Danish) but learned to read lips in both Danish and English. He studied at the Art, Craft & Design School in Copenhagen. He worked for Bing & Grøndahl 1962-88, and for Royal Copenhagen 1988-2003. Most of his sculptures were unique works of art, often selling for thousands of dollars. A selection of 12 figures are the only ones introduced into the B&G catalog (1984), given B&G figurine numbers 7041 to 7053, and produced in very limited quantities. I currently have all 12 in stock, some now listed . Contact me if you are interested others not currently listed .
EXCELLENT CONDITION (no chips, cracks, repairs or other defects), and FIRST QUALITY (no scratch through the trademark).
RETURNABLEfor a full refund if item not as described. Please ask your questions before bidding.
SHIPPING, HANDLING and INSURANCE within the United States is just $29.95 for this item.
COMBINED SHIPPING! Due to the SIZE and WEIGHT of this figurine, it may not be feasible to combine shipping with other items. Please inquire if you are interested in buying this and any other item of mine .
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