CONNY WALTHER (1931-2019). Collection of ten round stoneware vases with slim necks, own studio, Denmark, brutalism, 1960/70s, (10).

Collection of ten round vases with slim necks, designed and executed by Conny Walther in own studio in Birkerød, Denmark (1960/70s). Made of hand-thrown, partially glazed stoneware in various colors. All works stamped with monogram on the bottom. Height: 11.5-21 cm. Diameter: 10-15 cm. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Conny Walther (1931-2021) caught her interest in pottery at an early age and began an internship at Saxbo, the legendary Danish ceramic factory, at the age of 17. Conny Walther later described her time at Saxbo – and especially her time with Saxbo’s founder, Nathalie Krebs - as a landmark experience for her later ceramic work. Conny Walther was employed at Saxbo for a year before being directly admitted to the School of Arts and Crafts, which she attended from 1949-51. After completing her education, Conny Walther continued to Herman A. Kähler’s factory in Næstved, where she mainly decorated in traditional style with cow horn while doing her own work in the weekends. In 1954, Conny Walter opened her own studio in Birkerød with husband and artist Bent Stubbe Teglbjærg. Sales quickly increased, benefitting from the great interest in Danish Design at that time, which helped to boost sales and took her to exhibitions in and outside Denmark. Conny Walther had a very large production, peaking with 42 sales outlets in Jutland and Funen, supplemented by Zealand and foreign sales outlets such as in New York. Still, she could not always cope with the demand, which is why apologies for incorrect or missing deliveries were sometimes necessary. Helping her through the busiest years were 3-4 students (including Henriette Duckert and Finn Cavling Carlsen) who threw vases and bowls according to her instructions, while she herself was responsible for the glazing and firing. Over the years, Conny Walther developed a strong interest in making ceramic sculptures for which she received great recognition. As a sculptor, she was a member of the artist group "M59" from 1963-69 and most recently had a sculpture exhibition in 1982-83 in the Free Exhibition building. In 1981, Conny Walther received a travel grant to Italy. She found it too difficult to bring her beloved German stoneware clay with her and did not want to try her hand at Italian clay. The stay in Italy was therefore used making art. Upon returning to Denmark, her paintings were exhibited, and sales were very good with the profit being better than for her pottery. Thus, she soon chose to continue solely as a painter, closing her pottery studio in 1984.