Posted 10 years ago
VioletOrange
(150 items)
In his book Deutsche Keramik und Porcellane der 60er und 70er Jahre (2006), M.P. Thomas, remarked “no other country in Europe, during the 60s and 70s, produced such a variety of ceramics — in their designs and glazes — as did Germany”.
German ceramics during this time period can be divided into two broad categories:
• Works collaboratively produced in workshops and factories; using industrial modes of production, in combination with contemporary designs and integrated craft skills. There were literally dozens of these, e.g. Roth, Bay, Otto Keramik. There is a Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/122730516059/?ref=br_tf dedicated to this subject. Here you can find hundreds of photos, by maker, in the “albums” section: https://www.facebook.com/notes/west-german-pottery/links-to-albums/10152094362271060
• Works made in small studio potteries (Werkstätten) by one person — with or without assistants — as these three vases by Horst Kerstan:
1. Seven inches tall, crystalline glaze, 1967
2. Fifteen inches tall, tenmoku glaze, circa 1975
3. Eight inches tall, double-gourd form, October 14, 1970
Horst Kerstan’s treatment of pottery glazes reveals his fascination with traditional Japanese and Korean pottery. He had the ability to translate those ancient forms into modern pots.
Kerstan was born in 1941 in Frankfurt/Main. In 1956 he started work at Höchster Porzellan manufactur in Mainz. He studied ceramic at the Werkkunstschule (Handcrafts & Arts School) in Offenbach 1957-59. He trained under Richard Bampi from 1952-62 in Bampi´s Werkstatt in Kandern. In 1962-63 he worked in Florenz. In 1965 he took over the Werkstatt of Richard Bampi in Kandern, where he worked until his untimely death in 2005. (BauHaus Generated 2011 Copyright Kevin James Graham)
What a surprise! I didn't know a word about Kerstan but his ceramics are really espectacular!
austrohungaro,
Thanks for your comments. I have about 150 examples of West German Ceramics from the 1950's - 1970's. Many are "fat lava" production pieces but I also have about 20+ studio pieces including several by Kerstan. I'll post others as time allows.
That's a big collection! I'll love to see them all! ;) It's funny but when one thinks of German pottery Fat Lava is the main thing coming to mind. It's so nice to know and see other stuff!
all of your kerstan vases pictured above are just great
kerstan is very searched after in germany
i would love to own yours...!!!
have a look here
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/93300-horst-kerstan-kandern
getthatmonkeyoutofme, thanks for the information.
austrohungaro, getthatmonkeyoutofme, Here is a link to a PICASA slideshow/album showing most of my fat lava pieces. The first picture (temple painting background) shows many of my Kerstan pieces (all Kerstan except one by Wendelin STAHL).
https://picasaweb.google.com/104071982751589208246/WestGermanCeramics?authuser=0&feat=directlink
as i thought there are the better wgp's in your collection than the normal stuff...
are all vases on the first pic by kerstan?
i love your adele bolz filigran pieces and the krösselbachs are great as well.
i never ever found a single good krösselbach in my life... and stupidly i've allways sold my filigran vases....
thanks for the link
getthatmonkeyoutofme,
All the pieces in the first photo are Kerstan except the third from the left, which is by Wendelin Stahl.
I agree with you about Krösselbach. Seen only with a picture they look great, but when they arrive they have been mildly to greatly disappointing, except for one "krug".
I also like some Otto Keramik pieces particularly well.
I have added three photos to the PICASA album, at the front: the Stahl, the Krösselbach pitcher I really like and a favorite Otto Keramik vase.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104071982751589208246/WestGermanCeramics?authuser=0&feat=directlink