West German Pottery Appraisal

West German Ceramic Fat Lava Vase

This is a vintage West German ceramic vase, commonly referred to as a 'Fat Lava' vase due to its distinctive glaze texture. The vase exhibits a cylindrical form with a slightly tapered neck leading to a gently flared rim. Its primary colors are a vibrant, glossy cobalt blue that forms a central band around the body, flanked by a highly textured black and white 'lava' glaze at the top (neck and shoulder area) and bottom (base area). This 'fat lava' glaze creates a tactile surface with raised, frothy, and crater-like formations, mimicking volcanic rock. The black portions of the 'lava' glaze appear somewhat matte or less reflective than the glossy blue. The overall construction suggests a robust ceramic material, likely stoneware, characteristic of West German pottery from the mid-20th century. There are no immediate visible cracks, chips, or significant damage, though a closer inspection would be needed to confirm the absence of minor wear or age-related crazing. The piece appears to be in good vintage condition. A white rectangular sticker with the number '439' is adhered to the blue section, likely an inventory or auction lot number, but not a manufacturer's mark. Another smaller, partially obscured white sticker is above it, which is unreadable. The style and glaze work strongly point to a manufacturing period from the late 1960s to the 1970s, a popular era for this type of expressive ceramic art from West Germany. Its unique texture and bold color combination are defining features of this particular artistic movement in ceramics.