Strauss & Co is delighted to announce ‘Linn Ware: Celebrating the Ceramics of Olifantsfontein,’ a timed online auction that will run from 2 May to 13 May 2025. This curated sale spotlights the artistic legacy of Linn Ware, a pivotal chapter in South Africa’s ceramic heritage, showcasing a remarkable collection of handcrafted ceramics that trace the evolution of design from the early 20th century to the mid-20th century.
The Story of Linn Ware
The origin of Linn Ware is deeply rooted in Olifantsfontein, a small industrial settlement rich in clay deposits. In 1908, Sir Thomas Cullinan, the renowned mining magnate, established Transvaal Potteries to capitalize on the area’s exceptional clay resources. Although the factory ceased operations in 1915, it laid the foundation for the emergence of the Ceramic Studio in 1925, led by pioneering artists Gladys Short and Marjorie Johnstone.
Under the artistic vision of Short and Johnstone, the Ceramic Studio flourished, producing exquisite domestic pottery, decorative tiles, and architectural sculptures that defined South Africa’s early studio ceramics movement. In 1943, the Cullinan family rebranded the studio as Linn Ware, a name derived from ‘Cullinan,’ marking a shift towards more distinctive ceramic works characterized by innovative double-glazing techniques and intricate hand-painted designs.
Highlights of the Sale
The upcoming auction features a diverse array of Linn Ware pieces, each embodying the brand’s hallmark qualities of craftsmanship, simplicity, and design integrity. Key highlights include:
- A large jardinière-on-stand in blue and green glaze, crafted using copper oxide in a transparent glaze (Estimate: R20 000 – R25 000).
- A green-glazed bulbous vase with relief patterns, showcasing Linn Ware’s signature emerald green and turquoise palette (Estimate: R10 000 – R12 000).
- A floral-patterned jar and cover, hand-painted to capture the artistry of the Ceramic Studio era (Estimate: R6 000 – R8 000).
- A mauve-glazed vase with folded sides, a rare hue created using manganese, cobalt, and iron oxides (Estimate: R2 000 – R2 500).
- A cream-glazed two-handled urn-shaped pedestal vase, highlighting the distinctive feldspathic glaze technique (Estimate: R5 000 – R7 000).
The auction provides an opportunity for collectors, art enthusiasts, and design aficionados to acquire rare and historically significant pieces that exemplify the artistic evolution of South African ceramics.
Fact Sheet
- Linn Ware ceramics are revered for their double-glazing technique, which imparts a rich surface texture and luminous finish.
- The Ceramic Studio, established in 1925, was instrumental in shaping South Africa’s studio ceramics movement, employing innovative glazing methods and hand-painted designs.
- The studio’s work includes both functional domestic pottery and architectural tiles, the latter of which adorned prominent buildings in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
- The sale includes pieces that have not been produced for over four decades, making them highly collectable.
For more information and to register for the auction, please visit www.straussart.co.za.
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