West Germany Model 701 Hand-Painted Pierrot Ceramic Display Head, 1970s

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Description

A striking west german ceramic display head, model 701, dating to the 1970s and later transformed through a hand-painted pierrot-inspired … Read more A striking west german ceramic display head, model 701, dating to the 1970s and later transformed through a hand-painted pierrot-inspired decoration. The graphic treatment — ivory, black and deep burgundy, with sharply defined brows, stylized eyes and a single black tear — gives the piece a distinctly postmodern character, anticipating the bold visual language associated with late-1970s and 1980s interiors.

dimensions: h 30 cm × base diameter 14.3 cm
weight: approximately 1.435 kg


originally conceived as a ceramic display or hat head, the piece is marked “701 w. Germany” to the underside. In this example, the original glazed ceramic surface was subsequently enriched with a hand-applied decorative treatment. Under close inspection and in raking light, the painted areas reveal visible brushwork, slight variations in sheen and a localized surface preparation beneath or around the pigment. These details distinguish the later decoration from the smoother original glaze and confirm the hand-finished character of the transformation.

the resulting composition moves beyond the conventional mannequin head and reads as a sculptural decorative object. The strong contrast between the ivory craquelé glaze, black cap-like treatment and burgundy lips gives the face a graphic intensity that recalls the renewed interest in pop art, theatrical imagery and bold decorative forms that would become central to postmodern design culture.

at 30 cm high and weighing approximately 1.4 kg, the head has a substantial physical presence and works particularly well as a figurative sculpture or statement object within a mid-century, eclectic or postmodern interior.

condition: excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks or structural damage. Fine and evenly distributed age-related craquelure is present across the original glazed surface. The hand-painted decoration remains very well preserved, with only negligible surface wear.

styling note: the travertine pedestal shown in the styled photograph is not included and is used for display purposes only. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less