This exceptional majolica sculpture, titled "Sitting Nude with Blue Scarf", was created around 1920 by Emilie Schleiss-Simandl (1880-1962). Produced by the Gmundner Keramik factory, the work depicts a young woman draped in a blue scarf and is a beautiful example of the rich majolica technique popular at the time. This refined piece, part of the Schedlmayer collection, reflects the influence of Schleiss-Simandl’s rigorous artistic training.

Schleiss-Simandl received her education in Vienna, where she studied under influential artists such as Michael Powolny and Josef Hoffmann. Powolny, a master in ceramics, and Hoffmann, a leading figure within the Vienna Secession movement, greatly influenced her work. This blend of ceramic craftsmanship and avant-garde design principles is clearly visible in this sculpture, with its emphasis on fluid forms and elegant use of color.

The work demonstrates Schleiss-Simandl’s refined mastery of both form and material, offering insight into the artistic movements of her time. The piece forms a quiet yet powerful dialogue between Jugendstil and the influence of her mentors, providing a nuanced view of early 20th-century ceramic art. An identical piece is part of the collection at the Leopold Museum in Vienna, further underscoring the historical and artistic significance of this work.