Sigmund Pollitzer (1913 – 1983) British painter, decorative glass designer and writer

Panel with African motif by Sigmund Pollitzer
Panel with African motif by Sigmund Pollitzer

Sigmund Pollitzer (1913 – 1983) was a painter, decorative glass designer, and writer from the United Kingdom. He was born in the city of London.

Sigmund Pollitzer – Education

He studied in London, Switzerland and Hanover.

Biography

He worked on the architect and designer Oliver Bernard’s commissions, including the 1930 Cumberland Hotel and the 1932 Marble Arch Corner House in London. Pollitzer and Kenneth Cheesman were proteges of Bernard. 

1933-38, Sigmund Pollitzer was chief designer at Pilkington’s glassmakers, for which he designed showrooms in Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, St. Helens, and Piccadilly in London and for the stand at the 1937 ‘Glass Train,’ a-publicity project fitted with a range of decorative glass and shown at railway stations throughout Britain. 

Still Waters glass sculpture bySigmund Pollitzer
Still Waters glass sculpture nu Sigmund Pollitzer

Sigmund Pollitzer’s decorative glass features were included in Kenneth Cheesman’s interiors, including British Vitrolite in 1934 and 1934 Kirk Sandall Hotel near Doncaster (T.H. Johnson, architect). 

Dish 1954 by Sigmund Pollitzer
Dish 1954 by Sigmund Pollitzer

Sigmund Pollitzer’s other commissions included accoutrements for the 1936 ocean liner Queen Mary and 1937 McVitties Guest Restaurant, the 1938 ocean liner Mauretania, the 1938 Gaumont theatre in the Haymarket in London, and at the 1937 Paris ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques clans la Vie Moderne,’ 1938 Glasgow ‘British Empire Exhibition,’ and 1939 New York City ‘World’s Fair.’

Sigmund Pollitzer – Exhibitions 

He contributed to the bedroom designed by Oliver Hill for the 1933 London ‘British Industrial Art about the Home’ in Dorland Hall and 1935 ‘British Art in Industry’ at the Royal Academy. Sigmund Pollitzer’s glassware designs were included in the 1979-80 ‘Thirties’ exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London. 

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

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