Vintage 1970s Abbednæs Potteri Danish Folk Art Proverb Mugs – Set of 2
Mid-Century pair of hand-thrown studio pottery mugs from the renowned Abbednæs Potteri workshop (located near Næstved, Denmark).
Dating to the 1970s, these mugs are part of the workshop's iconic "Almue" folk art collection. They feature a beautiful light blue tin glaze decorated with dense cobalt blue geometric teardrop trials, rich slipware borders, and an unglazed natural terracotta base stamped with the official incised "Abbednæs Potteri" workshop mark.
Each mug features a unique, hand-painted traditional Danish script inscription:
1. "Mange kokke fordærver maden"
Translates to "Many cooks spoil the food"—the exact Danish equivalent of the classic English idiom, "Too many cooks spoil the broth."
2. "Godnat Ole pengene ligger i vinduet"
Translates to "Goodnight Ole, the money is on the window ledge." A famous Danish cultural phrase famously appearing in Hans Christian Andersen’s 1841 fairy tale "Ole Lukøje" (The Sandman).
Dimensions & Weight (Per Mug):
• Height: 12 cm (approx. 4.7")
• Width (including handle): 15 cm (approx. 5.9")
• Diameter / Depth: 11 cm (approx. 4.3")
• Weight: 500 grams (approx. 1.1 lbs)
CONDITION:
Very good vintage condition with no chips, cracks, or post-production damage. Both mugs are structurally solid and sound. Please note the following characteristics of hand-thrown studio pottery present on these pieces:
• Interior Production Line: There is a distinct vertical line running down the inside wall of the "Mange kokke" mug. This is completely smooth to the touch and is a stable manufacturing feature—either a clay slab-join seam or a deep throwing rib mark from the potter's wheel, highlighted lightly where the glaze naturally flowed over it. The exterior wall directly opposite this mark is entirely smooth and unblemished.
• Vintage Crazing: Both pieces exhibit a fine, faint network of clean glaze crazing lines characteristic of 1970s Scandinavian tin-glazed earthenware. The lines are completely unstained and clear, preserving the beautiful, bright blue aesthetic while adding an authentic vintage patina. Recommended primarily for decorative display or dry storage.
Please view all pictures carefully and let us know if you have any questions.
(Item 0355)
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