Designer | Josef & Vlasta Cap |
Maker | Vlasta |
Marks | “Vlasta” incised to base |
Description | Glazed mould cast slipware bowl with tab handle similar to “Studio Anna” Harlequin colour with gloss glaze, slight speckling to interior |
Condition | Good. No cracks, chips or crazing. Slight wear to foot with colour partly rubbed off footring |
Number | |
Production Date | 1950s-1960s |
Width | 110mm |
Depth | 47mm |
Length (with handle) | 135mm |
Weight | 175gm |
Volume | 250ml |
Acquisition | |
Here is something for my Slovakian readers. (Yes, I know they are now two countries) The Cap family were part of the great post-war migration from eastern Europe. They arrived in Melbourne from Czechoslovakia in 1951. Josef, born 23 July 1923; his wife Vlasta, born 15 October 1922 and son Miloslav born 9 July 1949. Josef had trained and worked as a sculptor and ceramic artist for 5 years before being arrested by the Gestapo and put into a camp. Josef had a school friend who was accused of being a British spy. In those days, that was enough. After they released Josef, he re-established his career between 1944 and 1948, Josef and wife Vlasta applied to come to Australia. Her maiden name was Kratchovil. (Yes, the Ellis Kratchovil)
Following the war, Josef fell foul of the new communist regime and had to leave the country. Josef had a heart condition and under normal circumstances would have been rejected, but because he was decribed as an expert ceramic worker, he was accepted. They came to Australia in 1951 and started a small pottery at 19a Bank Street South Melbourne, Victoria to capitalize on the desperate post-war shortage of homewares and the upcoming Olympic Games in Melbourne 1956.
The old building is long gone and the site now is used as a car parking garage. They named their wares “Vlasta” after Mrs Cap, but that name is based on one of the amazons of Czech mythology. The name Vlasta is a girls name. The origin is Slavic with the meaning(s) depending on Gender/Origin being Slavic- Powerful Princess or Glorious Chief. It is the feminine form of Vladyslav. Vlasta died in Heidelberg, Victoria in 1972 aged 40.
Following the war, Josef fell foul of the new communist regime and had to leave the country. Josef had a heart condition and under normal circumstances would have been rejected, but because he was decribed as an expert ceramic worker, he was accepted. They came to Australia in 1951 and started a small pottery at 19a Bank Street South Melbourne, Victoria to capitalize on the desperate post-war shortage of homewares and the upcoming Olympic Games in Melbourne 1956.
The old building is long gone and the site now is used as a car parking garage. They named their wares “Vlasta” after Mrs Cap, but that name is based on one of the amazons of Czech mythology. The name Vlasta is a girls name. The origin is Slavic with the meaning(s) depending on Gender/Origin being Slavic- Powerful Princess or Glorious Chief. It is the feminine form of Vladyslav. Vlasta died in Heidelberg, Victoria in 1972 aged 40.
Josef Cap (1950)
Vlasta Cap (1950)
Miloslav (1950)
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