Jaap Ravelli 1950’s Tribal Mask, Small Chip On Top Left See Pictures, Signed For Sale

Exquisite piece made by Jaap Ravelli 1950’s Tribal Mask, Small Chip On Top Left See Pictures,Signed

Jaap Ravelli (1916-2011) was a Dutch potter probably best known for his black & white

African inspired figures of people and animals.

In 1943, Jaap - in partnership with his brother Dick - founded their company, D. Ravelli & Co, Sierkunst Atelier in Leiden, in the south of Holland. Jaap was the artisan maker, whilst Dick concentrated on the management of the business.

The following year, a visit to a pottery kiln inspired the brothers to set up their own pottery in 1944. The oven remained unused during the war years, a reason being that the chimney wasn't high enough to generate enough of an updraught.

Eventually, in 1946, the oven fired its first pieces.

They were akin to the pottery made in Delft and Gouda and bore little resemblance to the later pottery for which Ravelli became known.

In 1947, the company relocated to Valkenburg, to riverside premises on the Old Rhine.