I bought this vase in in Wespelaar (B), in the charity-shop (Division Leuven). The condition is very good.

FACTORY:Dümbler Dümler & Breiden

FACTORY MARK: 340 30

SHAPE: bottle vase pitcher

COLOR: grey, green and ochre glaze, dark brown, inside ochre

DECORATION: Smooth texture with glaze stripes

HIGHT: 30 cm

PAID: 4 €

It strikes me that the number on this vase doesn’t has a hyphen. I wonder why this is? Does each factory has his own style of marking the vases? Furthermore, I also pointed out that this vase is marked with “Germany”, and not West Germany. Why is that? Things I have to find out. My homework for today.

I bought this vase in a charitiy shop in Aarschot (B). The condition is not that good. Intact but the green glaze between the orange bullets doesn’ shine. It has a dirty layer. Maybe I can polish it.

FACTORY: Scheurich

FACTORY MARK: 242-22

SHAPE: cylinder vase

COLOR: creme, light and dark brown tones, green and orange glaze

DECORATION: Combination of mooth texture and glaze

HIGHT: 22 cm

PAID: 3 €

I have identied this vase only by comparing it with foto’s on different websites. I didn’t know anything about different factories when I bought it. In the meanwhile I have learnt the meaning of the numbers. I ask myself if it’s only by ‘knowledge’ and seeing other vases that one can identify a vase (as a Scheuring f.e). Most of the vases don’t have a label, only a number.

I have bought 19 vases. It makes a total of 28 until today. I will present them one by one. I still have to identify them all. A few I really dislike, but at the moment I buy everything I can find. To discover, to learn, to identify, to classify. Study objects. Afterwards, I really think I ‘m going to make a selection of a certain type of vase or a specific style to collect. The oldest ceramics (for exemple a little jug with flowers) I don’t like at all.

One decoration on a lot of shapes.
One schape with different decorations.
Vases for all purposes in all sizes and different shapes for table, wall en floor.

According to me, the most interesting theme in this exhibition is the presentation of the different Ceramic factory’s and their typical products. Is it an original or a copy. I still have to learn a lot about these ceramics, so this will be very usefull.

Until last year that was how I percepted a German ceramic “thing”.

I, the design lover. Everything in my home must be a thing of beauty (and a joy for ever). Nothing less than the major designers of the twentieth century. Architecture and interior design are my passion. German ceramic pottery wasn’t, I felt almost disgust by looking at it. Memories of a narrow minded world and my wonder years in the seventies. The image of houses where I never wanted to live or die in.

Until last year.

At the request of the Dutch museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, the artist Marieke Van Diemen designed an installation where a large collection West Germany vases were presented as a large autonomous work of art.

How becomes an everyday object a desirable item? The serial production of the vases and the sometimes minor differences in colour and detail are aspects that are reflected in Van Diemens installation. Marieke van Diemen shows that the way in which objects are shown have a decisive influence on the perception and appreciation.

When I entered the exhibition room I had mixed feelings. The effect of the overcrowded shelves was overwhelming, but simultaneously I felt the repulsion I had for so many years. It was not possible that I could even ike this?! I remained a long time in the room. The impression of Van Diemens work and especially not knowing exactly what to think about it, send me back again later. Van Diemen succeeded in her intent. I could not dislike this work of art. I even became fond of it.

During the next six months German ceramics grew on me. In my numerous visits to second hand shops and flea markets I looked out for them. I asked myself every time whether I would buy them or not. Always, I hesitated and I didn’t. Ugly. But four months ago, I bought the first one. I am drawn more and more to them. In groups they are fabulous. And they give an incredibly warm bohemian effect in a cool modern concrete living space.

Yet every day there is doubt. One day I still think they are ugly. The next day, I love them. And I wonder which side the balance will tilt.

Meanwhile, I have nine of them.

I will present them on this blog the next days. And whenever I’m buying a new one, I will add it.

Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.