This intriguing piece was produced by Ipsens Enke Pottery, Bornholm, Denmark. The bowl features a polar bear with his forelegs wrapped around in a circle creating a bowl between them. The colours of orange and dull green are typical of the glaze from this pottery. It would date from 1918-1930. The Ipsens Enke backstamp used from 1918-1955 is clear to the underside of the base. The title Ipsens Enke translates to widow of Ipsens. The pottery was first begun by Peter Ispens in 1843 after Peter had trained at Royal Copenhagen. He died young at 45 years old and left his wife Lovise with the running of the pottery. Its stamp became PJE, for Peter Ipsens Enke. The name remained even though a succession of family members subsequently ran the pottery. Many famous sculptors worked at the pottery including Georg Jensen and Christian Joachim.
This particular piece is signed with an entwined V and M as shown for sculptor Viggo N Myhregaard and has design number 272.
There is almost no damage to the piece which is quite rare as the pottery is low fired and often shows rubs and chips to the glaze. It is in really lovely condition. There are two very small chips to the glaze to the bottom edge shown in the photos. There are tiny paler spots to the glaze. These are glaze imperfections and not damage. The matt glaze is smooth and silky to the touch.
The bowl is around 160mm long x 185mm across and 190mm tall.
