Vintage Studio Anna Ceramic (1954 - 1999): a stunning bud vase with hand painted graphics depicting a wooden chalet in the snow covered village and the name Thredbo N.S.W.
About Studio Anna
Karel Jungvirt, a sculptor and artist who had escaped the 1948 Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia, arrived in Australia in late 1951. Beginning in 1952, he was soon designing and making ceramic models. Karel and meet his future wife Toni Coles. whom he married in 1953 and their partnership also became a business one when they set up a small pottery in the basement of their flat in Neutral Bay.
Following World War 2, Sydney had become a popular holiday destination, particularly for American and European tourists. Karel Jungvirt capitalised on the resulting demand for souvenirs with an Australian theme by creating slipcast decorated earthenware ceramics designed specifically for this market.
At its peak, Studio Anna employed over 30 staff and by 1957 their ceramic ware was not only distributed widely in Australia, but was also being exported to such places as Tahiti, New Zealand, Fiji, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
In 1982 Toni Coles left the business. In 1999 after many years of illness, during which time he still managed to run the business, Karel Jungvirt finally sold the pottery, returning to Czechoslovakia where he died the following year.
Dimensions: Height 11.5cm Length 7.5cm Width 11cm
