The Amazing Life and Career of Eva Zeisel
Eva Zeisel. (Circa 2001)
Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Eva_Zeisel.jpg
Ceramicist Eva Zeisel was undoubtedly one of the most influential designers of the Twentieth Century. Her designs earned her major acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, and her fantastic biography reads like novel or a Hollywood movie script. Eva entered the Royal Academy in Budapest to study painting at age 17, but at her mother’s suggestion left in 1924 to become an apprentice in the pottery industry. After achieving early success, she worked several years in Germany, then traveled to Russia where she worked to modernize the ceramic industry. Eventually she was appointed Artistic Director of China and Glass Industry. Despite her professional success, Eva was accused of plotting to kill Stalin and imprisoned for 16 months.(1) Immediately after her release, She was put on a train to Austria, and later escaped that country” on the last train out on the day of the Anschluss” (2). In 1938 Eva married Hans Zeisel in England; Hans had waited seven years for her. That year the couple arrived in New York with less than $100 between them (2).
In post-war United States Eva’s career really took off. Her iconic designs were manufactured by Hall China, Red Wing China, Castleton China, Noritake, Nikkon Toki, and Phillip Rosenthal (1) to name a few.
Eva Zeisel celebrated her hundredth birthday in 2006. Several retrospective exhibitions were held to celebrate her career.
For more resources on Dr. Zeisel’s life and work visit the Eva Zeisel Forum.
To see Eva’s work visit Eva Zeisel Originals.
Watch an interview from 2008 with Dr. Zeisel.
References
- Who is Eva Zeisel? http://www.evazeisel.org/who_is_eva_zeisel.html
- Eva Stricker Zeisel Chronology Jan 20, 2010. http://www.evazeisel.org/Eva%20Stricker%20Zeisel%20-%20Chronology%20January%2020,%202010.pdf
