EVA ZEISEL

Modernist Designers
Written By Christine Lin

EVA ZEISEL

 
 
 
 
 

This month, we’re introducing a Hungarian-American designer whose incredible 105-year life took her through several countries, a World War, and into the history books of modern design.

Eva Zeisel (1906-2011)
United States (born in Hungary)
Designer, Ceramicist

 
Black and white portrait of Eva Zeisel wearing a black turtle neck with a neutral expression on her face. She is resting her head in the palm of her right hind as if in deep contemplation.

(source)

 
 

Though born to a wealthy Hungarian Jewish family, Eva Zeisel ignored the leisurely callings of her status and immersed herself in the laborious role of ceramicist’s apprentice.

After graduating as a journeyman, Zeisel spent several years in Germany, designing modern-inspired ceramic dinnerware, vases, and tea sets. In 1935, she moved to Soviet Russia to assume the role of director of the Soviet china and glass industry.

In 1937, a series of events paused her work. First, she was falsely accused of plotting to assassinate Joseph Stalin and was imprisoned for 16 months in Russia. Then, when she was finally released and deported to Vienna, the Nazis invaded; she and her husband fled to the U.S.

The couple arrived in New York, and Zeisel’s career took off over the following years. She taught at the Pratt Institute, created a ceramics line for Sears, and was commissioned to create a line of modern ceramics for the Museum of Modern Art.

 
 
 
Zeisel's trio of salt and pepper shakers in oblong shapes and varying sizes. One is finished in a glossy olive green paint, another in glossy gray, and the smallest one in pastel yellow shade.

Town and Country Salt and Pepper Shakers, MoMA, 1945 (source)

 
 
Zeisel's "Sauce boat with ladle" placed next to each other on a gray background. The small ladle is placed in front of the white sauce boat.

Hallcraft/Tomorrow’s Classic Sauce Boat with Ladle, MoMA, 1949-50 (source)

 
 

In her more than 75-year career, Zeisel was famous for pushing boundaries. Although her ceramics included the clean lines and simplicity of modernism, she challenged these limitations with designs inspired by nature, the human form, relationships, and her own playful approach to life.

That Zeisel’s pieces were featured in the Museum of Modern Art and mass produced for the general public is a tribute to her skill in creating beautiful and functional designs.

MORE MODERN DESIGNS BY EVA ZEISEL

Zeisel's "Large bimorphic silver platter" against a white background. The image is blown out with highlights making it difficult to see details.

Large Biomorphic Silver Platter designed for Nambé, 1952 (source)

 
Zeisel's "Schramberg Tea Pot" painted primarily in yellow with navy, orange, and white thin and thick lines.

Eva Zeisel Schramberg Tea Pot, German Modernist, 1929 (source)

 
 
Zeisel's serving set with two large drink pitchers, small pitcher, and a teapot against a white background.

Serving set designed for KleinReid, 1999 (source)

 
 
Zeisel's trio of pitchers with a round, oblong silhouette. Two are painted in a pastel yellow and one in a light blue. The collection is against a white background.

Pitchers, 1946-1960 (source)

 
 
 
Christine Lin
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