Rustic earthenware vase, 1400/50 by U Keramik West Germany

Hi everyone,

This is my first post but I'm a big fan of the forum and it's been really useful as I start to make my way in the world of ceramics. I have a few West German pieces that have been relatively easy to ID but this one is proving a little harder, especially for a novice like me.

The only marking on the bottom is 1400/50, nothing about origin, etc... If I had to hazard a guess it feels more Spanish/Iberian than German, which is what I'm usually drawn to, given the deep bold markings and the shape, but that may be totally wrong!

Anyway, hopefully you can help?! Thanks in advance!

Nick

Can we see the base please? always essential for ID.

Of course, apologies, and thanks for replying so quickly! And the text on the bottom reads 1400/30, not 1400/50 as I said above - slightly hard to read!



Thanks again

From the design and the numbers you quote I would pretty much think it is West German Ware from the 60's and70's. They made a lot of it from various potteries in many different styles. It is relatively common, as a lot went for export. Also commonly known as 'Fat Lava'. Google it and you will get a lot of images. It might also be East German, as they did get in on the act when this type West German pottery became popular.

Thanks Philpot, really appreciate the reply

U Keramik West Germany

Ü-Keramik
1909- 1990

Ü Keramik, or Üebelacker Keramik, was founded in 1909 by the tin/pewter maker Johann Üebelacker (died 1955). It was based in Ransbach Baumbach. Initially it did not include pottery and was exclusively a metal foundry. It later started to produce ceramics, ny 1955 it had 25 different vases in production in a range of sizes and decors.

Much of the output was exported to Scandinavia and Austria.

Heinz Hommerich (arts director) developed a fire red glaze in 1954 and this was one of the first mass produced glazes in Germany. The glaze contained the toxic chemical Selenium.

In 1955 with the death of Johann Üebelacker the company was taken over by his three sons.

Ü Keramik collaborated with and subsequently took over the Siershahn pottery company which produced klinker ceramics.

In 1960 Ü Keramik helped to established Kilrush Cermamics in Ireland. For more information see here.

The company went bankrupt in 1990.

This site is helpful for info on West German Ceramics http://www.potsandpots.com/wgp-companies/

Thats a useful link Alex. Would to care to add it here for the database.

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/f18-useful-external-links

what is the vase to it's right please Nick?

It's by Jonathan Adler and was for H&M Home last year, definitely not C20th but we love it!

denbydump wrote:Thats a useful link Alex. Would to care to add it here for the database.

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/f18-useful-external-links

Done

Great, thanks.