Eystein Sandnes
Eystein Sandnes: glass, ceramics and everyday design
Eystein Sandnes (1924 to 2006) was a Norwegian designer born in Røros and later based in Porsgrunn. He studied at the Norwegian National College of Art and Design from 1945 to 1949. His work for Magnor, Stavangerflint and Porsgrund spans coloured art glass and industrial tableware. Attribution of a form to Sandnes does not mean he personally manufactured or decorated the object.
Glass at Magnor
Sandnes worked with Norsk Glassverk at Magnor during the first half of the 1950s. Magnor's own history highlights his organic bowls, vases and dishes in contemporary colours. Norsk kunstnerleksikon also documents cased glass with spiral inclusions and later storage jars with wooden lids. Colour or an organic outline alone cannot establish authorship: compare dimensions, profile, base and documented model information.
Stavangerflint: one form, several decorations
At Stavangerflint in the 1950s he developed shapes including Utstein and Ledaal. Their decoration could be by Inger Waage, Anne Lofthus or Kari Nyquist. Shape designer, decoration designer and manufacturer are separate credits. A decoration name should not automatically be treated as the mould or shape name.
Porsgrund tableware
Jubileum, Contrast, Snowtop and Eystein are documented Porsgrund designs by Sandnes. He also contributed to Askeladden. Snowtop, from 1962, has lightly modelled relief decoration. Askeladden entered production in 1964; Eystein belongs to the transition from the 1960s to the 1970s. Spouts, handles, wall profiles and the relationship between body and glaze provide useful comparison points.
For Jubileum, Store norske leksikon gives 1958, whereas Norsk kunstnerleksikon and Norsk biografisk leksikon give production from 1959. Neither date establishes the manufacture year of a particular cup. Distinguish development, launch, later decoration and the manufacture of the example being examined.
Askeladden: check each component
Mats Linder's study of model lists and period advertisements shows different design contributions within Askeladden. He connects coffee and tea pots and the cream set numbered 2350 to 2352 with Tias Eckhoff's hotel tableware of 1958/59. An Askeladden marketing name therefore does not automatically establish Sandnes as the designer of each component. Other individual pieces require separate attribution.
Identification, matching pieces and condition
Photograph the whole object, underside, maker's marks and model or decoration numbers. Record dimensions, material and decoration, and check lids, saucers and pots individually. Profile and measurements supplement screen colour comparisons. Describe chips, cracks, crazing, staining and repairs specifically. A historical ovenproof designation does not establish a used object's current condition or suitability for heating. Assess collector interest and value by model, version, condition and documented comparable sales.
Further reading and assessment
Read about artist signatures and provenance and ownership history when examining an object's documentation. If you have an item to sell, contact OBA about buying, selling and assessment, preferably with photographs of the whole object, underside and marks.
Explore our selection of Porsgrund porcelain.
Sources
Magnor Glassverk: history; Norsk kunstnerleksikon: Eystein Sandnes; Store norske leksikon: Eystein Sandnes; Norsk biografisk leksikon: Eystein Sandnes; Mats Linder: Askeladden and model documentation.
