Bay

Scheurich

Carstens

Scheurich

ES Keramik

Scheurich

Ruscha 313

Bay Keramik

Scheurich

Scheurich

Scheurich

Roth

Dümler & Breiden

Hutschenreuther

July, 2008  

Michael and Lori Palmer have found evidence that Abels, Wasserberg & Co. of New York imported several shapes from Carstens in the late 1950's and early 60's.  Items identitied so far are small and feature brown glazes with gold rims.  This is the first evidence that West German pottery was directly imported into the US.

On the publicity front, the July issue of House Beautiful includes a story about the Brooklyn Flea, and one of the items pictured is a Steuler candle holder from the Continua series designed by Cari Zalloni.  There should also be a similar story in Country Living in August or October that may have some WG pottery pictured.  A 100 word blurb on fat lava should be coming in Metropolitan Home, and the August or October issue of Antiques Roadshow Insider magazine should have a story by Pete Prunkl about West German pottery.

The Fat Lava Collectors Club is on hiatus while Conrad works on a West German pottery exhibition.  More information about the exhibition as it becomes available.

March, 2008

Publication for Kevin Graham's book "West German Ceramics From Spritzdecor to Fat Lava, Vol. 1" is set for April 15. Full information on price and ordering should be available soon.  (Publication delayed while Kevin sorts out some issues with the printing company.)

February, 2008

A group of lava glaze vases whose attribution was not widely known turn out to be Dutch, not W. German:
Van Woerden vases

April, 2007

Largest currently known piece of W. German commercial art pottery, 65cm Scheurich vase.

Kevin Graham's book is almost ready. We now have a few advance pages: Collecting German-Ceramics: 40s, 50's, 60's, 70s, 80s, 90s
Vol. One. Preview

The Fat Lava Collectors Club is now up to 63 members.

The 2008 edition of Miller's Collectibles will include a section on W. German pottery for the first time, including several items from this site.

The 2008 edition of Judith Miller's Collectibles will also have a section as they did in 2007, with all different items this year.

Still waiting for a design magazine or show to open their eyes.

February, 2007

There's a new attribution for a series of unusual sculptural vases:
Story and comparison

January, 2007

    Kevin Graham is moving closer to publishing the first full-scale English language book on West German Pottery. He has found a publisher. Hopefully, a publication date will be coming soon.

     The Discovering Tomorrow's Retro Treasures exhibition will include W. German pottery. The exhibition will be in Toronto, Canada, October, 2007. The exhibition will be in two locations: Rogue Gallery, and Twice Found. There may be a third location at the Toronto Metropoltian Library. For more information, contact the Fat Lava Collector's Club at marias@rom.on.ca.

     The first known collector's club for WGP has formed, known as the Fat Lava Collector's Club. Meetings are in Toronto, Canada, but through the internet, the membership is already international. So far, the club has proven quite active. Contact: marias@rom.on.ca

     The 2007 edition of Judith Miller's Collectibles includes a section on WGP. Although I have some quibbles with the section, it's a start.

(The term Fat Lava has become quite popular and also problematic. It actually refers to certain thick, lava or volcanic glazes with the word Fat actually being a poor translation for "thick". Unfortunately, the phrase is getting used as almost synonymous with West German pottery, and that is far from true. There are many other glaze and decoration types in WGP, and they are often as interesting and popular as the fat lava glazes.)

Other West German Pottery Pages:

West German Pottery News and Updates

Essay: An Introduction to West German Pottery Lava and Volcanic Glazes

Essay: Collecting West German Pottery: Thoughts, Philosophy, and History

A Sneak Peek at Kevin Graham's Upcoming Book

Essay: Reputation, Reality, and Respect: Sorting Out West German Pottery

Essay : A Divine and Delightful Madness: An Introduction to W. German Pottery

Identification: West German Pottery Marks (Pictures of various marks, bases, and labels)

Photo Gallery of West German items (pictures of items we've had in the past few years, divided by company when possible).

Companies, Potters, Designers (Information about some of the particular companies, studio potters, and designers active during the West German era.)