Decanter - Ceramic - A pair of pitchers Mid Century

Rare coordinated set of two mid-century ceramic pitchers featuring a striking orange red reactive glaze. The sculptural silhouette, ribbon handle and crater-like mouth place these pieces within the broader vocabulary of German industrial-art ceramics of the post-war period.
Aesthetic & Technical Features • Form: Globular body with narrow neck and elongated ribbon handle
• Glaze: Reactive orange-red (“Reactive Flame”) with darker transitions and mottling, resulting from kiln-induced chemical reactions
• Period: ca. 1960–1975
• Style: East/West German Art Pottery — Pre-Fat Lava / Proto-Fat Lava
• Material: High-density ceramic, glossy glazed surface
• Condition: Excellent. No chips, cracks or restorations. Original sheen preserved.
In the decades following WWII, German ceramic factories—both in the West (Scheurich, Bay, Carstens) and in the DDR experimented with new glaze technologies and industrialized forms. The so-called “reactive” glazes, produced by controlled chemical instability in the kiln, became a hallmark of mid-century ceramics, bridging the gap between industrial production and artistic unpredictability.

Estimated period
Circa 1960-1970
Country of origin
Germany (East/West – debated attribution)
Style / Movement
Mid-Century / Modernist / Pre-Fat Lava
Condition
Excellent vintage condition — no chips, no cracks — glaze intact and glossy
with minor signs of age consistent with use
Colour
Orange-red with darker reactive accents ("Reactive Flame")
Measurements
• Small pitcher: height approx. 15 cm — diameter approx. 18 cm
• Large pitcher: height approx. 22 cm — diameter approx. 25 cm
Weight
• The medium pitcher weighs 770 grams.
• The large pitcher weighs 1,500 grams (1.5 kg).
Combined total (unpacked): approx. 2,270 grams (2.27 kg).

The use of vibrant orange-red glazes and ribbon handles is a visual language shared by workshops on both sides of the Iron Curtain, especially during the 1960s–1970s.
Attribution Debate: East vs West Germany
The ambiguity between East and West German production makes this lot particularly intriguing for collectors:
• West German School: Scheurich/Bay/Carstens-type influences, export-oriented, aligned with mid-century modern aesthetics
• DDR School (East Germany): Heavier bodies, experimental reactive glazes, semi-industrial production, and strong emphasis on durability

Collector’s Interest & Rarity
The high quality of the orange-red reactive glaze and the presence of a coordinated two-piece set suggest an advanced Eastern European production during the 1960s/70s. The ongoing debate between East and West German origin adds historical and collector interest, making the lot suitable not only for private collections but also for modernist ceramic study contexts and museum-level display.
Key Collector Highlights ✓ Rare to find as a coordinated duo
✓ Strong mid-century sculptural form
✓ Reactive glaze with authentic kiln variability
✓ Research-rich attribution context (DDR vs West Germany)
✓ Excellent preserved condition