Very large German mid-century, black lava with yellow stripes pitcher/vase, c1970

This fabulous vase/pitcher is a real statement. Unfortunately, we forgot to photograph the bottom before loaning it to a show of German art pottery. So at this time we are unable to guess the studio with any conviction. However, with this genre of pottery, the piece is usually more important than the maker. And this one is a real beauty. The lava has a dry look and the yellow stripes are only slightly glossy. The stripes give it great graphic appeal, yet they are very rough… almost primitive. The pitcher details are not functional, they’re just for decorative effect.

Post WWII German pottery went virtually unnoticed in the U.S. for decades. When German makers started producing art pottery after the war, the attachment to old traditions had been severed. Free to start from scratch, many makers were ready to experiment with totally new approaches in shapes and glazes. Because it was not done for export, much of it is unmarked or marked only with a style number. Today some refer to their designs as “retro,” but they were very avant-garde at the time. And this type of pottery was made only for a short period… most dated between 1955 and 1975.

This form and design are very unusual. Also, the size is very large and impressive. We are showing it with two other large vases, but it can mix well with almost any graphic mid-century pottery.

Condition: Excellent. The dry lava has a tendency to show dust or lint. It occasionally needs a little brushing with a soft brush to remove light spots.

Measurements: The vase is 14.5 inches high and 10 inches wide.

Price: $325.00

Reference: N0000943

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