Ernst Barlach
Richard Mutz, Altona
Figural vessel Nöck (Aquarius). Production: Hermann and Richard Mutz, Altona, 1903. Stoneware, glazed dark blue. The vessel is formed by the body of Aquarius. H. 15.5 cm. Inscribed on the bottom: E Barlach (painted or scratched), MUTZ ALTONA (embossed).
'Barlach designed ten ceramic sculptures between 1903 and 1904, which were produced by Mutz and are extremely rare. Only one other example of this vessel in a violet-gray version can be found in the Barlach House, Hamburg (inv. no. 1948/6). Barlach created a vase-like vessel in the shape of a Nöck - Aquarius - who sits with his arm propped up on his fins. The four fins also form the feet of the almost spherical shaped vessel, which appears very abstract and only shows a few hints of (fish) scales. The blue-green glaze corresponds to the water world and the choice of a waterman in a melancholic pose also testifies to the sculptor's sense of humor. The anthropomorphic shape of a commodity seems to be inspired by French models (…). A Nöck with a violet-gray glaze and a matt green mouth is in the collection of the Ernst Barlach House, inv. No. 1948/6 (…)'.
Rüdiger Joppien, and others, exhibition cat. Hermann and Richard Mutz. Keramik des Jugendstils, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, Hamburg 2002, p. 60 ff.
Literature: Friedrich Schult, Ernst Barlach. Das plastische Werk. Wvz. Bd. 1, Hamburg 1960, S. 46 (Abb.), Kat.-Nr. 46. Rüdiger Joppien, u.a., Ausst.-Kat. Hermann und Richard Mutz, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, Hamburg 2002, S. 60 f., S. 160 (gleiches Modell).

Condition Report available on request