History, Makers, Backstamps, Identification & Collecting Guide
German ceramics offer collectors a wide range of forms and finishes, from traditional stoneware and porcelain to twentieth-century decorative pottery. This guide concentrates on vintage German and West German art pottery: vases, jugs, bowls, planters and other pieces collected for their form, colour and glaze.
It introduces the names collectors encounter, explains how to read base marks and numbers, and provides a growing reference area for photographs from The McCorry Collection. A useful identification begins with the whole object, rather than a familiar-looking glaze or a number in isolation.
What does “West German pottery” mean?
In collecting, West German pottery generally refers to wares made in the Federal Republic of Germany during the period of German division, from 1949 until reunification in 1990. German ceramic production extends well beyond those dates, so “German pottery” is the wider description.
The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 and German reunification are different events: reunification took place on 3 October 1990. A country mark should be considered alongside factory history and documented examples when dating an object.
For background on reunification: Deutschlandmuseum.
A piece marked only GERMANY is not automatically pre-war or post-1990. Some West German manufacturers used that wording during the divided period. Likewise, an object resembling a West German vase might have been made elsewhere. Read the actual base and compare the form before assigning an origin.
From factory production to expressive decoration
Much collectible post-war German pottery was factory-made. A moulded body could be decorated in different glaze combinations, allowing one form to appear in many colours and finishes. Factory production does not rule out skilled hand decoration or an individual-looking result.
“Art pottery” and “studio pottery” should be distinguished. A named industrial manufacturer’s decorative vase is not necessarily the work of an independent studio potter. The method of forming, glazing and decorating should be described separately where known.
The 1950s, 1960s and 1970s are particularly important in this field. Mark Hill’s reference work documents the experimentation in form, glaze and colour, while also recording later corrections to maker attributions. Research therefore remains a process of checking evidence, including older identifications.
Reference: Mark Hill, Fat Lava: West German Ceramics of the 1960s & 70s.
What is Fat Lava?
Fat Lava describes thick, textured glaze effects, often with a crusty, bubbly, cratered or lava-like appearance. It is not a factory name.
West German pottery also includes smooth glossy finishes, restrained matte surfaces, flowing glazes and decorative relief. A brown vase with beige running glaze should not automatically be advertised as Fat Lava merely because it is German.
Texture alone is not evidence of origin: lava-like glazes were also produced outside Germany. Avoid assigning a recipe or firing process from a photograph.
Reference: Gin-For’s Odditiques — They Call It Fat Lava.
Makers collectors encounter
The following is an introductory list, rather than a complete catalogue. Each identification should be checked against a documented form, mark or label.
Scheurich
Scheurich is a familiar name in vintage German decorative ceramics. The company’s own history records a glass and porcelain wholesale business founded in 1928 and the start of ceramic factory production in 1954. Its historical timeline identifies strong colours and lava-type glazes with the 1970s.
Do not use 1928 as the production date of a Scheurich ceramic vase merely because it is the business’s founding year.
References: Scheurich company history and Scheurich mark reference.
Jasba
Jasba produced forms found with several marking arrangements. References record both incised and raised marks, named factory marks and distinctive N-series numbering. Not every Jasba object carries the full factory name.
The documented form 581/20 is relevant to the brown and beige vase currently being researched for TMC Emporium. Similar form numbers must still be checked against the outline, base arrangement and dimensions.
References: Jasba identification and Jasba form gallery.
Dümler & Breiden
The correct spelling is Dümler & Breiden; searches may also use Dumler & Breiden.
Identification references describe predominantly impressed marks, sometimes with an interlocking DB symbol. Some pieces have form and size numbers arranged one above the other. GERMANY may appear without WEST, and certain ranges carry additional series wording.
These are useful tendencies, not a rule that every piece must display a DB symbol. A similar glaze or the absence of a logo is insufficient to confirm the maker.
Reference: Dümler & Breiden identification.
Bay Keramik
Bay is another name encountered on decorative German ceramics. Some bases explicitly include BAY, which helps with identification. Raised marks and pale ceramic bodies are recorded in collector references.
Where the name is absent, identify the shape using documented examples rather than assigning Bay from colour alone.
Reference: Bay identification.
Other names to explore
Carstens Tönnieshof, Ruscha, Ceramano, ES Keramik, Steuler, Roth, Jopeko, Marei and other makers expand the field considerably. Their marks and forms should be researched individually as examples are added to this guide.
The purpose of this list is to provide research leads. It does not establish the maker of an unmarked item or place every German factory in the same period.
Reference: Pots and Pots company index.
How to identify a German pottery vase
Start by photographing and recording what is physically present.
- Take a full view showing the complete silhouette.
- Photograph the base square-on in clear light.
- Record every letter, digit and symbol exactly as seen.
- Note whether the mark is raised, pressed into the clay, scratched, printed or on a label.
- Measure the actual height and maximum width.
- Examine the rim, foot ring, handles, exposed clay and glazed interior.
- Compare the form and mark with references, allowing for different glaze colours.
- Record the source and confidence of the identification.
A promising image-search match is a lead. It becomes stronger when the reference also shows the same base arrangement, model and dimensions. A seller’s repeated description may simply repeat an earlier error.
Understanding form and size numbers
Numbers on the base commonly refer to a shape or model and a size. They are usually not a date or an artist’s signature.
A mark such as 581/20 should be recorded literally before its meaning is interpreted. In many vase ranges, a final number represents nominal height in centimetres. Actual measurements can differ, and manufacturers did not all follow one universal system.
Measure the object independently. If it is approximately 21 cm tall, describe that measurement even if the base ends /20.
A form number may occur at more than one factory. The number becomes useful when combined with the maker’s numbering system, the silhouette and other physical evidence.
For Scheurich’s numbering practice, see the Scheurich identification reference. Do not apply a Scheurich convention automatically to every manufacturer.
Backstamps, base marks and labels
“Backstamp” is often used as a general collecting term, but the mark on a pottery base may not be a printed stamp.
| Type | What it looks like | How to describe it |
|---|---|---|
| Embossed / moulded raised mark | Letters or numbers stand above the surface | Raised or embossed base mark |
| Impressed mark | Characters are pressed below the surface | Impressed base mark |
| Incised mark | Writing is scratched into the clay | Incised mark or signature, as appropriate |
| Printed mark | Ink or ceramic colour applied as a stamp or transfer | Printed backstamp |
| Painted mark | Letters or symbols applied by brush | Painted mark; maker or decorator only if established |
| Paper or foil label | A surviving applied label | Original label where its originality is supported |
A moulded country name or model number does not make a vase “signed.” An artist’s signature is a different kind of information. Preserve labels where possible; they can provide evidence missing from the permanent mark.
Country-of-origin wording
GERMANY, W. GERMANY, WEST GERMANY and related wording can provide historical clues. They do not independently supply an exact year or identify a factory.
Wording such as GDR or DDR needs research in its own context. An East German object can belong within the wider German category, but should not be relabelled West German.
Backstamp photograph gallery
This section will grow using photographs of actual pieces handled by The McCorry Collection. Each entry should show the complete mark and a companion image of the whole object.
Example 1 — GERMANY 581/20: current TMC vase
Example 1 — Vase attributed to Jasba: GERMANY 581/20
This brown and beige vase has raised GERMANY and 581/20 marks within an unglazed foot ring. The lettering and numbers stand above the surrounding surface, so they are described as raised or embossed marks rather than a printed backstamp.
The vase is attributed to Jasba through comparison with referenced examples of form 581. The base does not carry the Jasba name, so the attribution remains qualified.
The final /20 is treated as a size reference rather than a date. This particular vase measures approximately 21 cm high; its actual measurement should be recorded separately from the moulded number. Neither GERMANY nor 581/20 establishes an exact production year.
Example 2 — Dümler & Breiden
This mustard-glazed handled vase provides an example of a Dümler & Breiden base mark. The underside shows an interlocking maker’s symbol, with 334 above 21 and GERMANY below.
The numbers record form 334 and a size reference of 21, consistent with the vase’s measured height of approximately 21 cm. They are not a production date. The maker’s symbol, base arrangement and matching handled form provide stronger identification evidence than glaze colour alone.
Although this piece is discussed within West German pottery, its country mark reads GERMANY rather than WEST GERMANY. Record the wording actually present; the country mark alone does not establish the year of manufacture.
Dating: what can and cannot be established
Keep the date of the company, the date of a design and the manufacture date of an individual object separate. A long-running form may appear in different finishes over time.
A documented catalogue can provide a stronger date anchor than colour or decorative taste. Where references disagree, state the range or leave the object undated. “Mid-century style” describes appearance; it does not prove manufacture in the middle decades of the century.
Use broad dates only when there is supporting evidence. Avoid choosing 1960 or 1970 simply because a marketplace form offers those values.
Condition and collecting
When examining vintage ceramics, look closely at the rim, foot and handle attachments. Check for chips, hairlines, repairs, staining and glaze loss. Keep production texture separate from later damage, while describing either clearly if it affects appearance.
Cratered or uneven glaze can be part of the intended finish; it should not automatically be called damage. Equally, a textured surface should not be used to conceal a chip or repair.
A missing lid changes the completeness of a covered vessel. Retain surviving factory labels and record them before cleaning.
What affects value?
For a practical comparison, consider maker confidence, form, glaze, size, condition and availability together. A familiar manufacturer can produce both frequently encountered and less common pieces. A plain vase and a strongly decorated example of the same form may appeal to different buyers.
Compare like with like: the same form and size where possible, similar finish and condition, and the same delivery basis. Sold results are different evidence from current asking prices. Australian retail prices may also differ from overseas prices once freight is considered.
Avoid assuming that a model number, a dramatic glaze or the word “vintage” proves rarity. Build a collection around pieces you enjoy and can research, rather than a promised return.
Care and display
Dust gently with a soft cloth or brush. Avoid abrasives, scraping glaze or removing labels to make the base look cleaner. Be cautious with soaking or harsh cleaners, particularly on objects with cracks, repairs or uncertain finishes.
Support the body rather than lifting by an old handle. Protect narrow rims and separate lids when packing. For flower displays, consider a removable liner rather than assuming an older decorative vessel is watertight.
Frequently asked questions
Is every West German vase Fat Lava?
No. West German pottery includes many smooth, glossy and matte finishes. Fat Lava describes particular textured glaze effects.
Does “Germany” mean the vase predates 1949?
No. That wording was also used by some manufacturers during the West German period. Read it with other evidence.
Does /20 mean it was made in 1920?
Usually not in the model-and-size systems discussed here. Record the complete mark and check the maker’s convention.
Is a numbered vase signed?
A shape or country mark is not an artist’s signature. Describe it as marked unless a genuine signature is present.
Can the same shape appear in different glazes?
Yes. A colour difference does not automatically rule out a form match, but the full shape and base still need comparison.
Are unmarked pieces worth researching?
Yes. Missing labels or unclear marks can make research harder. A careful description can retain uncertainty without inventing a maker.
How TMC Emporium documents German ceramics
We record the object’s form, measurements, glaze and base mark, compare relevant references, and distinguish supported identification from working attribution. As additional pieces are reviewed, this guide will gain new photographs and clearer maker comparisons.
Explore More
Read our European Pottery & Ceramics – History, Marks, identification & Collecting Guide.
Browse more European Pottery & Ceramics.
Browse more German & West German Pottery & Ceramics.
About TMC Emporium
TMC Emporium is part of The McCorry Collection, alongside TMC Art. We offer a selected range of vintage, antique and collectable items, each individually photographed and described.