fat lava

Gebruder Conradt ‘Venezia’ plate, 1950’s West German pottery

August 27, 2015Ceramics1950's, 1950's ceramics, abstract, art pottery, Bowl, Conradt, cubist, dish, etsy, etsy vintage, fat lava, Gebruder Conradt, geometric, mid century modern, mid century pottery, modern art, modernist, plate, retro, studio pottery, Venezia, vintage, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a stunning mid century plate / bowl / dish in the ‘Venezia’ decor by Walther Conradt for Gebruder Conradt, West Germany circa 1950’s, form no. ’15/2′.

A fantastic design, a shallow bowl / plate with a sloping sides and a rough ovoid shape. With a very graphic decor ‘Venezia’ that is so reminiscent of the 1950’s era. A glossy black base is hand decorated with deep incised lines and filled in with vivid glossy colours in red, yellow and turquoise, geometric, abstract and reflecting trends in Modern art and design in the 1950’s. The underneath is also glossily glazed in turquoise blue.

A wonderful rare piece by this smaller lesser known art pottery.

Perfect as a decorative display piece, as part of a grouping or to use on a desk, coffee / side table, sideboard or mantelpiece as a trinket / jewellery / pin dish, desk tidy, paperweight etc.

Would make a great addition to any collection of West German / studio / art pottery and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, minimalist or contemporary styled interior.

In great condition, no chips or cracks, there is some wear and light scratches to the glossy glazes in the bowl, and a couple of flakes of missing glaze on the rim, reflected in the price, and still displays well.

Measures 22 x 17 x 3.5cm / 8.75 x 6.75 x 1.5in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1JlIY3C

Ruscha Keramik ‘Pompeji’ handled vase, West Germany circa 1960’s

September 7, 2014Ceramics1960's, afterglow retro, brighton, ceramics, etsy, fat lava, Gerda Heuckeroth, mid century, modernist, Otto Gerharz, Pompeii, Pompeji, pottery, retro, ruscha, Ruscha Keramik, vintage, vulkano, West Germanafterglowretro One comment

This is a stunning ‘Pompeji / Pompeii’ handled vase, made by Ruscha Keramik, West Germany circa late 1960’s.

A fantastic form by Gerda Heuckeroth in 1968, its squat shape with small decorative handles, ribbed body and small neck and opening resembling ancient / classical designs.

With its ‘Fat Lava’ glaze complementing the archaic look, it could have been unearthed from volcanic ashes!
With its bubbling black base glaze, picked out with orangey reds and hints of green and yellow giving a really lava-like appearance and suiting its ‘Pompeii’ name in the process. The decor is most likely by Otto Gerharz who developed the innovative ‘Vulkano’ glaze amongst many others.

Would make a fantastic addition to any collection of Fat Lava, West German or European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, brutalist, minimalist or contemporary interior.

Indistinct moulded mark to the base ‘875’.

In excellent condition, no chips or cracks, some burst ‘lava’ bubbles from production.

Measures 11 x 13 x 12cm / 4.5 x 5 x 4.75in.

This vase is available for sale in my Etsy shop http://etsy.me/1AlRjzu

Mid Century Italian Pottery ‘Donkey and Cart’ cactus planter circa 1960’s

March 19, 2014Ceramics1960's, 20th century, Bitossi, brighton, cactus planter, collectables, donkey and cart, european pottery, fantoni, fat lava, gambone, horse and cart, italian pottery, italian pottery donkey, mid century modern, retro, Vase, vintage, walter bosseafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Fantastic pottery donkey / horse and cart planter / vase, made in Italy circa 1950’s / 60’s

A Lovely stylised mid century design, very reminiscent of Walter Bosse’s animal figures. The cartoon like donkey with a coiled mane and tail pulling a cart that can be used as a planter.

Stunning glazes similar to those used by Fratelli Fanciullacci, this piece is attributed to one of the Montelupo potteries (Bitossi region). Over a khaki green glossy base is a textured spray glaze in an off white. Highlighted by the red coiled mane and tail, and patterned motifs on the cart picked out in yellow.

Perfect for use as a planter for a cactus or small plant, as a small posy vase, or as a novelty table decoration for holding breadsticks, sweets etc.

Would make a Great addition to any collection of Italian / European pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 1950’s, 1960’s, mid century or kitsch styled interior.

Marked to the base ‘Made in Italy’.

In Excellent Condition, no chips, cracks or crazing, a couple of small unglazed patches from production, nothing to detract.

Measures 20 x 12 x 9cm / 8 x 4.75 x 3.5in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1yzDTBO

Pair of Schlossberg Keramik ‘Kuba’ vases, West Germany circa 1958

March 2, 2014Ceramics1950's, brighton, cubist, etsy, fat lava, kuba, Liesel Spornhauer, mid century pottery, modernist, mondrian, retro, schlossberg, schlossberg kuba, vintage, west german ceramics, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

These are a Stunning Pair of Schlossberg Keramik ‘Kuba’ vases, designed by Liesel Spornhauer, West Germany circa 1958.

A Fantastic decor, very reminiscent of the era and inspired by Cubist / Mondrian art and design. With the matte black glazed background having a hand decorated tube lined glaze in glossy white forming a random abstract grid like pattern. Some of the spaces are then filled with glossy vibrant red, yellow and blue glazes.

Wonderful forms, the larger vase has a bulbous top heavy shape with a slanted rim, the smaller vase has a tapered form and ‘fishmouth’ curved rim.

Modern art meets ceramics, in this delightful pair by this renowned smaller high quality West German pottery. A Highly collectable mid century art pottery decor.

Would make an Excellent addition to any collection of West German / European / Schlossberg ceramics. And would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, 1950’s, 1960’s, minimal or contemporary interior.

Both in Excellent Condition, no chips, cracks or crazing, the matte black paint shows some light marks as is common with this design, nothing to detract on display.

The large vase measures 21 x 11 x 11cm / 8.25 x 4.25 x 4.25in.

The smaller vase measures 19 x 9.5 x 8cm / 7.5 x 3.75 x 3.25in.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1rm0dtP

‘Agina’ vase by Hans Welling for Ceramano, West Germany circa 1960’s

February 21, 2014Ceramics1960's, aegina, agina, agina vase, brighton etsy, brighton fat lava, brighton retro, ceramano, ceramano vase, etsy uk, fat lava, greek mythology, hans welling, mid century modern, mid century pottery, modernist vase, west german ceramics, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning ‘Agina’ (Aegina) decor vase, designed by Hans Welling for Ceramano, West Germany circa 1961.

Ceramano was founded in 1959 as an off shoot of Jasba Ceramics, to produce experimental art ceramics in the ‘studio pottery’ style. Hans Welling was their key designer and this piece is characteristic of his style.
Using wax resist and sgraffito geometric motifs and stylised birds surround the body. Combined with the classical shape they evoke ancient Greek styles based on the mythology of ‘Aegina’.

The form is Stunning with the bulbous base and long conical neck with a flared rim, similar to a lagynos / oil flask.

Further enhanced by a subtle ‘Fat Lava’ glaze in creamy brown, bubbling in places and streaked in others, showing through the base brown glaze as with the motifs.

Would make a Fantastic addition to any collection of West German, Fat Lava, European or Studio Pottery and would complement any retro, vintage, mid century, modernist, minimalist, 1950’s, 1960’s, or contemporary styled interior.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 21 x 13 x 13cm / 8.5 x 5.25 x 5.25in.

Handmarked to the base ‘121 W.Germany Ceramano handarb. Agina’, with the decorators initials.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://etsy.me/1yzEofg

Large Scheurich Keramik handled vase, West Germany, 1960’s.

December 8, 2013Ceramicsafterglowretro, brighton, etst, fantoni style, fat lava, fat lava vase, mid century pottery, modernist ceramics, retro decor, scheurich 285 40, scheurich handled vase, scheurich keramik, scheurich vase, vase 285 40, west german pottery, wgpafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Lovely Large Scheurich Keramik handled vase, West Germany circa early 1960’s.

A Stunning form and decor on this vase by Heinz Siery, the main designer from the mid 1950’s. With its conical bulbous base, large chimney like neck and right angled handle it has beautiful proportions, possibly based on classical styles and adapted for the mid century era.

The glazes are fantastic, a foamy base in a light yellow / green, pumice like and very similar to ‘Fat Lava’ glazes. Embellished with abstract geometric ‘Cubist’ style motifs in a black glaze. Some using the ‘sgraffito’ technique to make incisions in the surface, these are filled with vibrant orange and blue pools of glaze. The interior is glazed in a bright glossy yellow.

Very reminiscent of the mid century modernist era, similar to designs by Marcello Fantoni in Italy at the time. Possibly referencing the same Etruscan classical styles, interpreted for the modern age.

Would be Great as part of a collection of West German / Fat Lava / European Art Pottery, and would make a fantastic addition to any retro, vintage, 50’s, 60’s, mid century, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

Moulded mark to the base 285 40.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 40 x 18 x 18cm / 16 x 7 x 7in.

Dumler & Breiden Keramik vase, West Germany circa 1970’s

November 28, 2013Ceramics1970's style, 479/14, afterglow retro, brighton retro, brutalist style, dumler breiden, fat lava, modernist pottery, organic ceramics, retro ceramics, spage ace decor, studio pottery, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a lovely small Dumler & Breiden Keramik vase, West Germany circa 1970’s.

A Fantastic piece of West German ‘Fat Lava’ pottery. Very reminiscent of Studio pottery of the era, and of the complex glazes of master ceramicists such as Marcello Fantoni.

The simple classical baluster form has a base black glossy glaze. This is overlaid with complex crusty lava glazes, in bands, foaming and dripping in black, white and light blue colours, and forming circular motifs on two sides.
These are filled with a wonderful lustrous bronze glaze, and the vase is further enlivened with dripping bands of green and bronze.

Very organic the colours and glazes echoing nature, rocks, earth, fire and water, characteristic of the early 1970’s, echoing a break from Modernism and the Space Age styles.

A Great addition to any collection of West German / Fat Lava / European Art Pottery, and would complement any retro, vintage, 70’s, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition no marks, chips or scratches

Impressed mark to the base ‘479 / 14 Germany’, with the D&B logo.

Measures 14.5 x 7.5 x 7.5cm / 5.75 x 3 x 3in.

‘Tigris’ vase and dish, Zell Shmider Keramik, West Germany circa 1956

November 20, 2013Ceramics1950's, Anneliese Beckh, brighton, etsy, european pottery, fat lava, mid century ceramics, mid century decor, modernist, retro, schmider keramik, tiger striped, tigris, tigris decor, vintage, west german pottery, wgp, zell, zell schmiderafterglowretro Leave a comment

These are a Beautiful miniature vase and dish pair, made by Zell Schmider Keramik, West Germany, form and decor designed by Anneliese Beckh circa 1956.

In the Stunning ‘Tigris’ decor, with its glossy black glaze and wavy stripes in yellow and white. Very reminiscent of the era and most likely influenced by Picasso, Cubism and Modernist styles, understated, elegant and classic design.

Lovely forms, the small vase having a rounded tapered body with a curving rim and the pin dish sits at an angle with an asymmetric curved kidney shape. Both perfect as part of a centrepiece or grouping, as a single stem vase and pin dish, desk accessories, or sculptural pieces in their own right.

Pieces from this lesser known pottery are rarer than the output of the large ceramics factories of the 60’s / 70’s, and this earlier Mid Century style is very collectable as an antithesis to the ‘Fat Lava’ styles.

Would complement any collection of West German or European Art / Studio pottery, and would look fantastic in any retro, vintage, mid century, fifties, modernist, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, a couple of miniscule fleabite sized rough patches on the rims, nothing to detract on display, no chips or cracks.

Marked to the base 3589 Made in Western Germany 1786 26 and with the company logo.

The small vase measures 12 x 7.5 x 7cm / 4.75 x 3 x 2.75in. Marked to the base ‘Made in Western Germany 4167’.

The pin dish measures 10.5 x 7 x 4cm / 4.25 x 2.75 x 1.75in. Marked to the base ‘4087 22’.

Mid-century ceramic vase, made by Carstens, Austria circa 1960’s

October 28, 2013Ceramics1218-25, 1960's, afterglow, austrian pottery, brighton, carstens austria, carstens keramik, carstens vase, fat lava, mid century modern, retro brighton, retro home decor, retro vase, vintage brighton, west german potteryafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Great mid century ceramic vase, made by Carstens, Austria circa 1960’s.

A Fantastic piece by this renowned West German maker, this piece was produced in their Austrian pottery.

A Lovely well proportioned baluster form. With a Fantastic decor, an off white matte base, with handpainted blue grey stripes, embellished with zig-zagging squiggles in blue and red and sgraffito lines.
Very reminiscent of the era, reflecting the Atomic age / Eames era styles of the mid century period.

Would be Great as part of a collection of West German / Fat Lava / European Art Pottery, and would make a fantastic addition to any retro, vintage, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, mid century, modernist, atomic style, minimal or contemporary interior.

In Excellent Condition, no chips or damage.

Measures 25.5 x 13 x 13cm / 10 x 5 x 5in.

Moulded mark to the base ‘1218-25 Austria’.

Carstens Tonnieshof ‘Mooncrater’ vase, West Germany circa 1970

September 22, 2013Ceramics1970's, 7956-25, afterglow retro, brighton, carstens, carstens vase, ceramic, dieter peter, fat lava, keramik, luxus, modernist, mooncrater, pottery, retro, space age, studio pottery, Vase, vintage, West German, wgpafterglowretro Leave a comment

This is a Stunning and Large Carstens Tonnieshof vase, West Germany circa 1970.

A Fantastic outlandish, prehistoric / space age design by Dieter Peter, part of the high end ‘Luxus’ range.

The bulbous slab of a body is topped with a small decorative handle and neck, a statement piece, not really intended as a practical display piece for flowers!

The body has a contoured surface resembling mooncraters, accentuated by the rough pumice-like glazes, very sculptural and complex, influenced by studio pottery during the era, with its influences ranging from the organic and natural to the prehistoric and space age.

Would be Great as part of a collection of West German / Fat Lava / European Art Pottery, and would make a fantastic addition to any retro, vintage, 60’s, 70’s, mid century, modernist, space age, minimal or contemporary interior.

Marked to the base with the Carstens logo, 7956-25 W.-GERMANY.

In Excellent Condition, no marks, chips or scratches.

Measures 26 x 23 x 16cm / 10 x 9 x 6.25in.