Mirek Smisek was a New Zealand ceramic artist born in Czechoslovakia on 22 March 1925. He grew up in Prague, where he trained as a ceramicist and worked as an apprentice in a porcelain factory. In 1949, Smisek immigrated to New Zealand, where he settled in Auckland and began working as a commercial artist.

In the 1950s, Smisek commenced making ceramics, creating functional pieces such as plates, bowls, and cups. He was influenced by the modernist movement and the work of artists such as Bernard Leach and Hans Coper. Smisek's style was characterized by clean lines, simple shapes, and a focus on form and texture.

In the 1960s, Smisek began to experiment with sculptural forms, creating large, abstract pieces that were inspired by nature and the landscape of New Zealand. He often incorporated found objects into his work, such as stones, shells, and driftwood.

Smisek's work gained recognition more...

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Early Mirek Smisek large carafe with shoulder handle and woven…

Mirek Smisek Large Carafe with Cork Stopper and Handle

Early Mirek Smisek large carafe with shoulder handle and woven cork stopper. Maker's mark near base. Height 26.5 cm.Mottled grey glaze. Rounded upper body incised with a wide band of vertical striations. Uncommon elongated Ms mark in pentagram near base.

Mirek Smisek, Large lidded jar, stoneware with salt glaze and…

Mirek Smisek Salt Glaze Stoneware Lidded Jar, Geometric Decoration

Mirek Smisek, Large lidded jar, stoneware with salt glaze and incised geometrical decoration to the shoulders, impressed potter's MS mark to the foot, height 32 cm, Provenance: Collection of Hans and Elizabeth Swier

Mirek Smisek tankard, impressed mark, 13.5 cm high. Provenance:…

Mirek Smisek tankard with impressed mark, 13.5 cm high

Mirek Smisek tankard, impressed mark, 13.5 cm high. Provenance: Ex Fleischl collection

Mirek Smisek carafe, ribbed body, gloss glaze, impressed mark…

Mirek Smisek carafe, ribbed body, gloss glaze, impressed mark at base, 27 cm high

Mirek Smisek blue salt glazed sculpture, unmarked, 18.5 cm high

Mirek Smisek blue salt glazed sculpture, unmarked, 18.5 cm high

Mirek Smisek Set of Four Mugs, impressed marks, 9 cm high.

Mirek Smisek Set: Four Impressed Marked Mugs, 9 cm High

Mirek Smisek Set of Four Mugs, impressed marks, 9 cm high.

Mirek Smisek Teapot, salt glaze, impressed mark to base of…

Mirek Smisek Salt Glaze Teapot: Impressed Mark, 12cm High

Mirek Smisek Teapot, salt glaze, impressed mark to base of handle, 12 cm high.

Three Mirek Smisek Mugs, incised decoration with deep blue salt…

Set of Three Incised Blue Salt Glaze Mirek Smisek Mugs

Three Mirek Smisek Mugs, incised decoration with deep blue salt glaze, impressed marks to base of handle, 10 cm high.

A Mirek Smisek carafe, a stoneware carafe with a rich brown…

Mirek Smisek Stoneware Carafe: Rich Glaze, Geometric Stamp

A Mirek Smisek carafe, a stoneware carafe with a rich brown mottled glaze and raised geometric stamp. With original cane stopper. Impressed maker's mark, height 18.5 cm, width 11.5 cm, depth 12.5 cm

A Mirek Smisek carafe, a salt glazed ovoid form, with a strap…

Mirek Smisek Salt Glazed Carafe: Vibrant Ovoid Form

A Mirek Smisek carafe, a salt glazed ovoid form, with a strap handle in shades of purple, pink and blue. Maker's mark above base, height 21 cm, width 14.5 cm

A casserole by Mirek Smisek, made from earthenware. Featuring…

Wax Resist Casserole: Mirek Smisek's Earthenware Masterpiece

A casserole by Mirek Smisek, made from earthenware. Featuring wax resist designs around the exterior, height 20 cm, depth 27.5 cm

Mirek Smisek large cheese cloche, tenmoku over ash glaze,…

Tenmoku Cheese Cloche with Leaf Motif

Mirek Smisek large cheese cloche, tenmoku over ash glaze, concentric band with wax resist leaf motif. Impressed mark, 23 cm diameter

Two Mirek Smisek ceramic tankards made for 'The Lord of the…

Mirek Smisek LOTR Ceramic Tankards, Ash Glazed, Impressed Marks

Two Mirek Smisek ceramic tankards made for 'The Lord of the Rings', ash glazed ovoid form. Impressed marks, 12 cm height

Mirek Smisek two Yunomi, one with black glaze and incised…

Mirek Smisek's Black and Tenmoku Yunomi Pair

Mirek Smisek two Yunomi, one with black glaze and incised decoration, the second tenmoku glaze over a blue/black ground, 9.5 cm, 9 cm height

A pair of Mirek Smisek Yunomi, ash glazed with incised vertical…

Mirek Smisek Vertical Ribbed Yunomi Pair

A pair of Mirek Smisek Yunomi, ash glazed with incised vertical ribbed pattern. Impressed mark 'Ms', 7 cm, 7 cm height.

Mirek Smisek tenmoku glazed wine carafe, ovoid form with single…

Mirek Smisek Tenmoku Glazed Wine Carafe

Mirek Smisek tenmoku glazed wine carafe, ovoid form with single handle and ribbed pattern to the shoulder, original cork and woven rattan stopper. Impressed mark, 30 cm height

Mirek Smisek salt glaze carafe, dark blue salt glazed ovoid…

Mirek Smisek Salt Glaze Carafe with Rattan Stopper

Mirek Smisek salt glaze carafe, dark blue salt glazed ovoid form with ribbed pattern to the shoulder. Single handle and original cork with woven rattan stopper. Impressed mark, 35 cm height

Mirek Smisek crock, incised decoration, impressed mark, lid…

Mirek Smisek Incised Crock with Impressed Mark, 42cm

Mirek Smisek crock, incised decoration, impressed mark, lid missing and rim chip, 42 cm high

A Mirek Smisek carafe, with a maker's mark and cane stopper.…

Mirek Smisek Carafe with Cane Stopper

A Mirek Smisek carafe, with a maker's mark and cane stopper. Height 310 mm, width 190 mm

Mirek Smisek two green vessels used in Lord of the rings, stamp…

Mirek Smisek's Green Vessels from Lord of the Rings

Mirek Smisek two green vessels used in Lord of the rings, stamp to base. 15 cm, 10 cm height

Mirek Smisek, two shino glaze Yunomi impressed marks, 10 cm…

Shino Yunomi Pair with Impressed Marks, Hairline Crack

Mirek Smisek, two shino glaze Yunomi impressed marks, 10 cm height (one with hairline crack)

A Mirek Smisek decanter, salt glaze with original cane stopper,…

Mirek Smisek Salt Glaze Decanter with Cane Stopper

A Mirek Smisek decanter, salt glaze with original cane stopper, height 23.5 cm, width 14.5 cm

Craft New Zealand (book) by Brian brake and Doreen Blumhardt…

Craft New Zealand: Signed by Prominent Artists

Craft New Zealand (book) by Brian brake and Doreen Blumhardt Doreen Blumhardt's personal copy, signed by Guy Ngan, John Drawbridge, Raymond Boyce, Ida Lough, Ian Spalding, Jean Ngan, Kathleen Des Forges, Elizabeth Auton, pit Henrich, Derek ball, Don salt,…

A Mirek Smisek decanter and four cups, with wax resist…

Mirek Smisek Decanter and Cups Set

A Mirek Smisek decanter and four cups, with wax resist decorations. Two chalices and two cups. Decanter. Height 25 cm, diameter 17 cm, chalices, height 11.5 cm, diameter 9.5 cm, cups height 6.6 cm, diameter 9.1 cm

Mirek Smisek, large Yunomi impressed mark, 15 cm diameter

Large Yunomi with Impressed Mark by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek, large Yunomi impressed mark, 15 cm diameter

Len Castle, mug with Mirek Smisek, Yunomi, impressed marks, 12…

Len Castle and Mirek Smisek Collaboration Yunomi Mug

Len Castle, mug with Mirek Smisek, Yunomi, impressed marks, 12 cm, 9.5 cm heights

Mirek Smisek, mortar & pestle impressed mark, 14.5 cm diameter…

Mirek Smisek Mortar & Pestle, 14.5cm, Repaired

Mirek Smisek, mortar & pestle impressed mark, 14.5 cm diameter repaired

Mirek Smisek, five matching mugs impressed marks, one af

Matching Mugs by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek, five matching mugs impressed marks, one af

Mirek Smisek, early tankard incised with autumnal leaf…

Autumnal Incised Tankard by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek, early tankard incised with autumnal leaf decoration, incised with signature, 10.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek ashtray, impressed mark, 15.5 cm dia.

Mirek Smisek Impressed Ashtray, 15.5 cm Diameter

Mirek Smisek ashtray, impressed mark, 15.5 cm dia.

Mirek Smisek chess set, c. 1980, complete with Southland beech…

Mirek Smisek Chess Set with Fitted Case

Mirek Smisek chess set, c. 1980, complete with Southland beech fitted case, impressed marks, King 10.5 cm height, Pawn 4.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek set of six tankards, decorated with emu & antelope…

Emu & Antelope Tankard Set by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek set of six tankards, decorated with emu & antelope on yellow ground, early signature mark, 11 cm height (faults)

Mirek Smisek early tankard with other mug & tumbler (2),…

Mirek Smisek Tankard and Mug Set with Impressed Marks

Mirek Smisek early tankard with other mug & tumbler (2), tankard with signature to base, 10.5 cm others with impressed marks, 9.5 cm & 8 cm heights

Mirek Smisek set of six mugs, impressed marks, 9 cm height

Mirek Smisek Six Impressed Mug Set - 9cm Height

Mirek Smisek set of six mugs, impressed marks, 9 cm height

Mirek Smisek set of four mugs, impressed marks, 9.5 cm height…

Mirek Smisek Set of Four Impressed Mugs

Mirek Smisek set of four mugs, impressed marks, 9.5 cm height (one with slight rim chip)

Mirek Smisek wine carafe, with original stopper, impressed mark,…

Mirek Smisek Wine Carafe with Original Stopper

Mirek Smisek wine carafe, with original stopper, impressed mark, 31 cm height

Mirek Smisek, wine carafe, with original can stopper & handle,…

Mirek Smisek Wine Carafe with Stopper & Handle

Mirek Smisek, wine carafe, with original can stopper & handle, impressed mark, 31 cm height

Mirek Smisek, salt glazed teapot, stoneware with original cane…

Salt Glazed Teapot by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek, salt glazed teapot, stoneware with original cane handle (partially undone), width 21 cm. Provenance: purchased directly from the potter in the 1960s.

Mirek Smisek, Tenmoku glazed teapot, stoneware with original…

Tenmoku Glazed Stoneware Teapot with Cane Handle

Mirek Smisek, Tenmoku glazed teapot, stoneware with original cane handle, impressed mark to the foot, width 15.5 cm

Mirek Smisek, shino glazed teapot, stoneware, impressed…

Shino Glazed Stoneware Teapot by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek, shino glazed teapot, stoneware, impressed potter's mark to the foot, width 22 cm

Mirek Smisek, six Yunomi, impressed marks, largest 9.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek's Six Yunomi with Impressive 9.5cm Height

Mirek Smisek, six Yunomi, impressed marks, largest 9.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek, four Yunomi, impressed marks, largest 9.5 cm…

Mirek Smisek's Four Yunomi with Impressive 9.5cm Height

Mirek Smisek, four Yunomi, impressed marks, largest 9.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek, mugs (5), impressed marks, 9.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek Impressed Marked Mugs Set of 5

Mirek Smisek, mugs (5), impressed marks, 9.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek, goblets (4), impressed marks to base, 10.5 cm…

Mirek Smisek Impressed Goblets (Set of 4)

Mirek Smisek, goblets (4), impressed marks to base, 10.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek, six goblets, impressed marks to base, 12 cm height

Mirek Smisek Six Goblets with Impressed Marks, 12cm Height

Mirek Smisek, six goblets, impressed marks to base, 12 cm height

Mirek Smisek, salt & pepper, impressed marks, 12.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek Salt & Pepper Shakers, Impressed Marks, 12.5cm Height

Mirek Smisek, salt & pepper, impressed marks, 12.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek, candlestick, impressed mark, 20.5 cm

Mirek Smisek Impressed Candlestick, 20.5cm

Mirek Smisek, candlestick, impressed mark, 20.5 cm

Mirek Smisek, Turret-form money box, 27 cm height

Turret Money Box: A 27cm Saving Solution

Mirek Smisek, Turret-form money box, 27 cm height

Mirek Smisek, wine carafe with original cane stopper & handle,…

Mirek Smisek Cane-handled Wine Carafe

Mirek Smisek, wine carafe with original cane stopper & handle, impressed mark, 32 cm height

Mirek Smisek, small lidded jar, salt glazed stoneware,…

Salt Glazed Stoneware Lidded Jar by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek, small lidded jar, salt glazed stoneware, impressed potter's initials mark to the foot rim, height 12 cm

Mirek Smisek set of six wine goblets, all with impressed marks,…

Mirek Smisek 6 Wine Goblets with Impressed Marks

Mirek Smisek set of six wine goblets, all with impressed marks, 12 cm heights

Mirek Smisek nine Unomi, consisting of one pair and seven…

Mirek Smisek's Nine Matching Unomi with Impressed Marks

Mirek Smisek nine Unomi, consisting of one pair and seven others matching, impressed marks, 7 cm heights

Mirek Smisek five coffee mugs, all with impressed marks, 8 cm…

Collection of Five Impressed Marked Coffee Mugs by Smisek

Mirek Smisek five coffee mugs, all with impressed marks, 8 cm heights

Mirek Smisek pair of tankards, both with impressed marks, 13 cm…

Mirek Smisek Impressed Tankard Pair - 13 cm

Mirek Smisek pair of tankards, both with impressed marks, 13 cm heights

Mirek Smisek pair of mugs, impressed marks, 11 cm heights

Pair of Impressed Marked Mugs by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek pair of mugs, impressed marks, 11 cm heights

Mirek Smisek teapot, original cane handle, impressed mark, 15.5…

Mirek Smisek Cane Handle Teapot

Mirek Smisek teapot, original cane handle, impressed mark, 15.5 cm height (excluding handle)

Mirek Smisek wine carafe, impressed mark, original rattan and…

Mirek Smisek Wine Carafe with Rattan Stopper - 31.5cm

Mirek Smisek wine carafe, impressed mark, original rattan and cork stopper, 31.5 cm height overall

A large Mirek Smisek teapot with cane handle, applied rope-like…

Iron-flecked green teapot with cane handle and rope decorations

A large Mirek Smisek teapot with cane handle, applied rope-like decorations, iron-flecked green glaze. Stamped mark at the base. Height 27.5 cm with handle

A Mirek Smisek tripod vessel, a rare and early earthenware…

Mirek Smisek Green Glazed Cauldron Vessel

A Mirek Smisek tripod vessel, a rare and early earthenware cauldron-shaped lidded vessel, green glazed. Name incised in full underneath. Made in Nelson, c.1955. Height 255 mm

Mirek Smisek, six goblets, impressed marks, 11.5 cm height each…

Mirek Smisek Six Goblets Set with Impressed Marks

Mirek Smisek, six goblets, impressed marks, 11.5 cm height each (one with hairline crack)

Mirek Smisek massive planter, impressed mark, 39 cm width

Massive Impressed Planter by Mirek Smisek - 39cm Width

Mirek Smisek massive planter, impressed mark, 39 cm width

An early Mirek Smisek two handled jar, ovoid with loop handles…

Mirek Smisek Ovoid Two Handled Jar

An early Mirek Smisek two handled jar, ovoid with loop handles to the shoulder, incised signature under the base. Height 29.5 cm

Mirek Smisek cheese dome on tray, impressed mark, 20 cm diameter

Mirek Smisek Cheese Dome with Impressed Mark (20cm)

Mirek Smisek cheese dome on tray, impressed mark, 20 cm diameter

Mirek Smisek covered casserole, impressed mark, 29 cm diameter

Large Casserole with Impressive 29cm Diameter by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek covered casserole, impressed mark, 29 cm diameter

Mirek Smisek early carafe with original rattan handle & cork…

Vintage Carafe with Rattan Handle and Cork Stopper

Mirek Smisek early carafe with original rattan handle & cork stopper, impressed mark, 38 cm height overall

A Mirek Smisek salt glazed teapot, in an all over mottled brown…

Mirek Smisek Salt Glazed Teapot

A Mirek Smisek salt glazed teapot, in an all over mottled brown and grey glaze, with a band of impressed dots to the upper. Lidded, with strap handle, height 18 cm, width 22 cm

Mirek Smisek, lidded Caserole, impressed mark, 29 cm dia

Mirek Smisek Lidded Casserole, 29cm Impressed Mark

Mirek Smisek, lidded Caserole, impressed mark, 29 cm dia

Mirek Smisek, gravy boat on saucer, impressed mark, 12 cm dia

Smisek Gravy Boat with Saucer, 12cm Impressed Mark

Mirek Smisek, gravy boat on saucer, impressed mark, 12 cm dia

Mirek Smisek, wine carafe with original cane stopper & handle,…

Mirek Smisek Cane Handled Wine Carafe

Mirek Smisek, wine carafe with original cane stopper & handle, incised early mark, 36 cm overall height

Mirek Smisek, pair condiment carafes, inscribed early mark, 18.…

Mirek Smisek Carafes with Early Mark

Mirek Smisek, pair condiment carafes, inscribed early mark, 18.5 cm height

Mirek Smisek, large salt glazed ashtray, stoneware, impressed…

Salt Glazed Stoneware Ashtray by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek, large salt glazed ashtray, stoneware, impressed mark, diameter 19.5 cm

Mirek Smisek, set four mugs, teabowl, impressed marks, (teabowl…

Set of Five Ceramic Mugs and Teabowl by Smisek

Mirek Smisek, set four mugs, teabowl, impressed marks, (teabowl af), ceramic

A large Mirek Smisek storage jar/planter, baluster form with…

Mirek Smisek Cut Design Storage Jar/Planter

A large Mirek Smisek storage jar/planter, baluster form with band of encircling cut design, two strap form handles, impressed potter's mark to base. Height 46 cm.

Mirek Smisek, eight wine goblets, impressed marks

Mirek Smisek's Impressed Wine Goblets

Mirek Smisek, eight wine goblets, impressed marks

Mirek Smisek, six stoneware beer mugs, five with tenmoku glaze,…

Stoneware Beer Mugs with Tenmoku and Cream Glaze

Mirek Smisek, six stoneware beer mugs, five with tenmoku glaze, height 13.5 cm, and a larger one with cream glaze, height 15.5 cm, all marked

Mirek Smisek, unglazed planter, impressed mark, 46 cm height

Unglazed Planter by Mirek Smisek - 46 cm Height

Mirek Smisek, unglazed planter, impressed mark, 46 cm height

Mirek Smisek, graduated salt glaze unomi, impressed mark, 11.5…

Graduated Salt Glaze Unomi by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek, graduated salt glaze unomi, impressed mark, 11.5 cm diameter

Mirek Smisek, carafe with cane stopper & swing handle,…

Mirek Smisek Swing Handle Carafe with Cane Stopper

Mirek Smisek, carafe with cane stopper & swing handle, impressed mark, 33 cm high

Mirek Smisek, pair salt glaze table lamps, impressed marks, 26…

Pair of Salt Glaze Table Lamps with Impressed Marks

Mirek Smisek, pair salt glaze table lamps, impressed marks, 26 cm height (base only)

Mirek Smisek, pair salt glaze table lamps, impressed marks, 33…

Pair of Salt Glaze Table Lamps - Impressed Marks

Mirek Smisek, pair salt glaze table lamps, impressed marks, 33 cm height (base only)

Mirek Smí?ek, five porcelain wood fired sake cups, cut sided. 5…

Wood-fired Porcelain Sake Cups by Mirek Smí?ek

Mirek Smí?ek, five porcelain wood fired sake cups, cut sided. 5 x 4.5 cm

Mirek Smisek early Nelson period salt glazed lidded jar, the…

Mirek Smisek Salt Glazed Lidded Jar

Mirek Smisek early Nelson period salt glazed lidded jar, the angular body with lug handles, and an encircling band of pale glaze with incised linial and angular incised bands, fitted lid with knob handle, fine dark salt glazing, impressed MS monogram.…

Mirek Smisek lamp c1960s, impressed mark, 27 cm height

Mirek Smisek Impressed Lamp, 27cm Height

Mirek Smisek lamp c1960s, impressed mark, 27 cm height

Mirek Smisek, lidded tureen, impressed mark, 18 cm dia

Mirek Smisek lidded tureen, 18 cm dia

Mirek Smisek, lidded tureen, impressed mark, 18 cm dia

Mirek Smisek, set of six wine goblets, each with impressed mark,…

Set of Six Mirek Smisek Wine Goblets

Mirek Smisek, set of six wine goblets, each with impressed mark, 11.5 cm heights

Mirek Smisek, set of four mugs, incised signature mark, 10 cm…

Mirek Smisek's Incised Signature Set of Four Mugs

Mirek Smisek, set of four mugs, incised signature mark, 10 cm heights

Mirek Smisek, massive jar & cover, impressed mark, 49 cm height

Massive Impressed Jar by Mirek Smisek - 49cm Height

Mirek Smisek, massive jar & cover, impressed mark, 49 cm height

Mirek Smisek. A rare stoneware chess set with some minor faults

Flawed Stoneware Chess Set by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek. A rare stoneware chess set with some minor faults

Mirek Smisek. Casserole, a stoneware casserole with wax resist…

Wax resist leaf casserole set by Mirek Smisek

Mirek Smisek. Casserole, a stoneware casserole with wax resist leaf decoration along with matching salt and pepper shakers. Impressed mark. Height 20 cm. Diameter 25 cm

Mirek Smisek. Blue salt glazed lidded crock, with a band of…

Blue Salt Glazed Crock with Diagonal Lines

Mirek Smisek. Blue salt glazed lidded crock, with a band of incised diagonal lines, strap handles. Impressed mark. Height 47 cm. Diameter 43 cm

Mirek Smisek, sculptural form entitled Peregrine in Repose of…

Brown Salt Peregrine Sculpture

Mirek Smisek, sculptural form entitled Peregrine in Repose of abstract bird form, in brown salt glaze. Purchased from the artist late 1970s. 36 cm height