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This pottery bowl, stamped "Zaalberg Potterij Parow" underneath, is a mid-century modern piece created by Maarten Zaalberg, a Dutch immigrant who founded his studio in Parow, Cape Town, South Africa, and operated it between 1951 and 1983. It is characterized by its simple form and a glossy, deep burgundy or mahogany red glaze.
The visual style, which is characteristic of the Zaalberg pottery from that period, was influenced by Japanese and early Chinese ceramics, emphasizing clean shapes and rich glazes. This specific piece appears to be an oval planter or serving dish, a common item from the studio. The South African Zaalberg pottery is known for producing handcrafted, artistic items.
Maarten Zaalberg, son of the Dutch pottery founder Hermanus Zaalberg, immigrated to South Africa and established his own studio in Parow, Cape Town, operating it between the 1950s and the 1980s. The Zaalberg family pottery dynasty, which started in the Netherlands in 1918, is highly regarded in the history of Dutch ceramics, known for its focus on handcrafted, artistic pieces.
The pottery's style, particularly under Meindert Zaalberg (Maarten's father in Holland), shifted from the earlier Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) influence to a focus on simple forms and rich glazes, inspired by Japanese and early Chinese ceramics. This appreciation for clean, handcrafted design is evident in the simple, elegant form of your bowl and its deep, glossy glaze.
The value of Zaalberg pottery varies based on rarity, condition, size, and specific glazes or designs, and pieces are often found in private collections and at specialist auctions. Generally, South African Zaalberg pieces are considered desirable mid-century modern studio art pottery.
· Vases and unique art pieces by Maarten Zaalberg can fetch significant prices, ranging from around R1,450.00 to upwards of R2,500.
· More common items like bowls or dinnerware pieces are often priced in the range of R395.00 to R595.00 on online marketplaces.
· Highly unique or signed pieces, particularly those from the Dutch lineage (like a Meindert Zaalberg vase from the 1950s), can reach much higher values internationally, sometimes thousands of Rand.
The serving dish has age related scratches on the well, due to use, as well as a chip on the bottom (please see picture), aside from which it is in excellent usable condition.
Height: 5 cm, Dimensions: 33.6 cm x 21.1 cm
