Jens von der Lippe
Jens von der Lippe (1911 to 1990) was a Norwegian ceramic artist, teacher and writer based in Oslo. His work connects studio pottery with the history of applied arts and postwar experiments with ceramic materials. He taught at the National School of Arts and Crafts in Oslo (SHKS) from 1939 to 1975 and wrote about craft in Bonytt.
A workshop with several contributors
In 1933 he established a workshop with Heddy Astrup. His later collaboration with Margrethe von der Lippe became central to his practice. Jens mainly threw the forms, while Margrethe concentrated on modelling and decoration. Both also made independent works. An object from the workshop should therefore not automatically be credited to Jens alone. They jointly received the Jacob Prize in 1970.
From faience to stoneware
Historical faience, including Herrebøe ware, and pottery traditions from Trøndelag informed their shapes and decoration. Their repertoire included white tin glaze and painted or incised ornament. They also worked in stoneware, exhibited at the applied arts exhibition in 1949. Following Jens' studies in Faenza in 1957 and 1958, experiments with materials gained renewed importance. From the late 1950s, vigorous thrown forms and brightly coloured slip decoration became characteristic. Slip is liquid clay used to coat and decorate a ceramic surface.
Works and professional contribution
Norsk kunstnerleksikon highlights his soup tureens and soup bowls with tall, conical lids. Kode also records an earthenware teapot, tentatively dated to the 1960s, as Kode.00637. Ceramic history also occupied him as a writer, notably in his 1983 book Stråmønsteret.
Examining an object
Record the base, any signature, dimensions, ceramic body and decoration separately. Compare the complete execution with reliable references, particularly when distinguishing Jens' contribution from Margrethe's. Photographs of lids, spouts and handles help when assessing teapots and tureens. Describe chips, cracks and restoration specifically. A similar shape or signature alone does not establish authorship.
Read more about porcelain, artist signatures, provenance and ownership history.
Browse related items in our online shop.
Contact OBA about selling and assessment (Norwegian page).
