
If you inspect the bottom of a West German vase or pot, you are likely to find a series of numbers – usually three digits followed by a dash and then two digits. The first three digits indicate the vase design or run in the factory.
What does the number on the bottom of a vase mean?
What is the first set of numbers?
What is the second number in the series?
Is German pottery rare?
Can you mistake a glaze without a country mark?
Does the country mark work?
Does pottery have a company mark?
See 2 more

How do you identify German porcelain marks?
Manufacturers paint or imprint their porcelain piece with an identifying mark that helps customers distinguish the piece from competing products. On most German porcelain pieces, the manufacturer's mark sits at the bottom of the porcelain piece.
How old is pottery marked Germany?
Around the end of the 19th century it became customary to apply a decor name in addition to the company brand. After England decreed in 1897 that goods imported to England and its colonies must be marked with their origin, German porcelain was marked "Made in Germany".
What do numbers mean on bottom of porcelain?
There are marks that indicate a specific mold called a mold number. These numbers often look like dates such as 1953 or 1789. It is rare that a piece of pottery will have a date stamped or embossed into its base. If a number looks like a date or a year, it is most likely a mold number.
When did they stop using Made in West Germany?
West Germany, from 1949 to 1990, a republic consisting of the western two-thirds of what is now Germany. West Germany was created in 1949 when the United States, Great Britain, and France consolidated those zones, or portions, of Germany that they had occupied at the end of World War II.
Is pottery from West Germany valuable?
You can shop our range of pottery here. Rare pieces however, can be worth several hundred pounds if they are particularly sought after. Factory names to look out for with potentially higher values include Roth Keramik, Ceramano, Otto and Kreutz. If you've got one of these at home it might be worth some research!
How do I identify my pottery makers mark?
Some common marks include the studio where the piece was made, the potter who crafted the piece, and the signature of the artist who decorated it. A form number and identification of the clay type may also be included. Reference books can help you identify unfamiliar marks.
What do numbers on ceramics mean?
The Registered Number, usually written as Rd on the piece of pottery, gives the date when that design was registered to prevent copying, but it could have been made at any time later than that date. The table below gives the year and the registration numbers issued during that year.
How do I know if my pottery is valuable?
Criteria to Tell if your Pottery is Valuable1.1 1) Condition.1.2 2) Rarity.1.3 3) Authenticity.1.4 4) Aesthetics.1.5 5) Desirability.1.6 6) Provenance.1.9 Final Thoughts.
How do I identify my antique markings?
Many antiques have marks on the underside that are stamped, impressed, or painted on....Marks assist in determining one or more of the following:Manufacturer.Approximate date of manufacture.Country of origin.How many copies of the item were produced.
What is West Germany known for?
The west part of Germany is a region of contrasts, from heavy industry to romantic river cruises where vineyards and medieval castles reign. Yes, western Germany is definitely worth a visit. Many of the towns owe their beginnings to the Romans, and some ruins can be found today.
When were items marked Germany?
The "Made in Germany" label is not a German invention. It came about as part of the British Merchandise Marks Act, which took effect on August 23, 1887. The act aimed to ensure that all foreign products - which could potentially threaten the success of British merchandise - were branded with a label.
When was made in West Germany?
23 May 1949West GermanyFederal Republic of Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland• Lower houseBundestagHistorical eraCold War• Formation23 May 1949• Bonn–Paris treaties5 May 195551 more rows
What is the name of German porcelain?
Meissen porcelainMeissen porcelain, also called Dresden porcelain or porcelaine de Saxe, German hard-paste, or true, porcelain produced at the Meissen factory, near Dresden in Saxony (now Germany), from 1710 until the present day.
How do you date a Furstenberg porcelain?
How can I identify porcelain from FÜRSTENBERG? Since 1753, every piece of FÜRSTENBERG porcelain has been marked with a blue F under the glaze. Prior to 1866, the mark was made by hand, since then it has been stamped.
Where is China made in Germany?
Bavaria, Saxony, Prussia, and other regions also represent china made in Germany. You may not see a "Made in Germany" mark, but the piece could have been manufactured there. At the height of production in the late 19th century, Germany had hundreds of porcelain factories and workshops.
West German Pottery Price / Value Guide - Bath Antiques Online
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Pottery Marks Identification Guide & Index
A few real-life Samples of Genuine Moorcroft Pottery Marks. The range of Moorcroft Pottery marks begins with William Moorcroft's time at the MacKintyre pottery and covers the 100 year history of design and ownership by William, his son Walter Moorcroft, other more current owners and marks of artists and designers from the Moorcroft Design Studio.
How to Identify Antique German Porcelain Marks
Two 17th-century German jugs; the left one has the coat of arms of Amsterdam. (Credit: Wikimedia) Step 4: Note the Shape of Your Porcelain Piece. The explosion of creativity in the German porcelain industry after the second world war resulted in asymmetrical and exaggerated shapes, some of which were distinctive to some manufacturers.
How to Identify German Pottery | eHow
Identify the manufacturer's mark, usually found on the bottom of the pottery piece. Manufacturers sometimes imprint or paint with glaze an identifying mark to distinguish their pottery from the one made by their competitors.
What do the numbers on the bottom of a West German vase mean?
The first three digits indicate the vase design or run in the factory.
What is West German pottery?
'West German Pottery' is a term describing pottery made in the former West Germany between 1949 & 1989.
How much are West German vases worth?
The price of West German pottery varies depending on the factory that produced it and the rarity of the item. Lots of it was mass produced at the time, so remains affordable and easy to come by today - making it an accessible way to add a retro splash of colour to your home. You can shop our range of pottery here.
What are the final two digits on a vase?
The final two digits are the vase’s height to the nearest centimetre. This does vary between manufacturers, but most vases can be understood in this way. Lots of pieces are also marked with 'W.Germany' on the base where there is space available.
What do the first three digits on a vase mean?
The first three digits indicate the vase design or run in the factory. An example below shows two different vases with different coloured glazes but of the same design - both marked with the digits 289. The final two digits are the vase’s height to the nearest centimetre.
How can you tell which factory made a particular vase?
Some pieces will still have the factory’s original sticker on, making it very easy to tell where it was made (see our Bay Keramik example below), whilst some will have the factory name alongside the numbers underneath.
How to identify a piece of pottery?
If the piece of pottery or porcelain you have has a mark on it, you can identify it in several ways. Marks are incised or cut into the wet clay, impressed with a tool into the wet clay or stamped with a machine and ink on dry clay. Antique pottery & porcelain marks identification guide january 1, 2020 every collector knows that the quickest way to identify a piece of pottery or porcelain is to identify the mark , but sometimes it’s unreliable because marks are often forged and changed.
How many files are there in porcelain marks of Germany?
If you found a copy of china marks and. Media in category porcelain marks of germany the following 119 files are in this category, out of 119 total.
What is vapor glazing in German pottery?
We have tried to include as many ceramics and pottery marks as possible, but also tried to avoid too much duplication. Today, salt glazing is called vapor glazing, a name the technique received from the sodium vapors caused by the salt that the potter throws into the kiln when.
Who supported the pottery mark?
It was supported by the romanov tsars. Scan the index of this pottery marks identification guide to help you identify your. Slavid recommends that you head to the library and look for books on the mark.
When was the Ludwigsburg factory established?
For instance, the ludwigsburg factory, established in 1763, changed its mark every few years throughout the 18th century. Tips and tricks for identifying and dating east and west german pottery. But you do need to know the country of origin, he says.
What does the dash on a vase mean?
GERMANY’ or ‘WEST GERMANY’ followed by 3 digits -indicating the model number- a dash and 2 numbers which indicate the height of the vase.
What color clay does Scheurich use?
Scheurich always used s white clay for its products.The clay color is normally visible on the bottom edge of the vase.
Why did Scheurich design their products?
To keep also the costs down and maximize the production, Scheurich designed their products in order to use the same decoration for different models. The design was renovated twice a year to match the changing customers tastes.
What is West German pottery?
West German pottery offers the sculptural shapes and tactile designs that look great in today’s interiors. In fact, many art lovers simply choose West German pottery purely for its genuinely striking looks. As well as being collectible, West German pottery pieces are extremely affordable, making them the perfect investment for first-time collectors.
How long has the West German pottery era been around?
The West German pottery era may have only ended 30 years ago, after playing a significant role in the art scene for just over four decades (from 1949 to 1990). But the pieces that are indicative of this particular style have an old world, iconic charm that is just as engaging and intriguing as earlier creative movements.
Why shop for West German pottery with Vinterior?
Here at Vinterior, we make it simple to find the antique, vintage, retro and artisan pieces you love. From large items of furniture – such as beds and dressers – to delicate pieces of artwork and pottery, our national network of trusted sellers list an incredible array of desirable heritage creations for your home. With quality guaranteed on every purchase, you can make an investment in a style you admire with confidence and clarity.
How to identify a piece of pottery?from yoikiguide.com
If the piece of pottery or porcelain you have has a mark on it, you can identify it in several ways. Marks are incised or cut into the wet clay, impressed with a tool into the wet clay or stamped with a machine and ink on dry clay. Antique pottery & porcelain marks identification guide january 1, 2020 every collector knows that the quickest way to identify a piece of pottery or porcelain is to identify the mark , but sometimes it’s unreliable because marks are often forged and changed.
How many files are there in porcelain marks of Germany?from yoikiguide.com
If you found a copy of china marks and. Media in category porcelain marks of germany the following 119 files are in this category, out of 119 total.
What is vapor glazing in German pottery?from yoikiguide.com
We have tried to include as many ceramics and pottery marks as possible, but also tried to avoid too much duplication. Today, salt glazing is called vapor glazing, a name the technique received from the sodium vapors caused by the salt that the potter throws into the kiln when.
Who supported the pottery mark?from yoikiguide.com
It was supported by the romanov tsars. Scan the index of this pottery marks identification guide to help you identify your. Slavid recommends that you head to the library and look for books on the mark.
When was the Ludwigsburg factory established?from yoikiguide.com
For instance, the ludwigsburg factory, established in 1763, changed its mark every few years throughout the 18th century. Tips and tricks for identifying and dating east and west german pottery. But you do need to know the country of origin, he says.
What does the number on the bottom of a vase mean?
Keep in mind that the numbers on the bottoms of the vases do not represent the number made or which number a particular vase is in a series. Since limited edition prints so often use a system such as 25/150 (25th print in an edition of 150), people are prone to make this assumption with the pottery. Most W. German pottery is commercially produced, molded ware. Some are still quite uncommon or rare, but others exist in very large numbers.
What is the first set of numbers?
The first set of numbers is the shape number . Perhaps the best known is shape 313 by Ruscha. Once you know the shape number , it can make it easier to collect an item in its various decorations. Still, there are two problems with that approach. Most of the companies used similar number patterns.
What is the second number in the series?
The second number in the series is more direct because it most often represents the approximate height in centimeters (or width/length for a bowl). Sometimes the shape and height combination is enough to determine the maker if no one else made that particular combination, but despite progress, investigate this site not all number combinations are yet known. There are also times when companies use a different designation, sometimes simply a 1, 2, or 3 for the relative size designation.
Is German pottery rare?
Since limited edition prints so often use a system such as 25/150 (25th print in an edition of 150), people are prone to make this assumption with the pottery. Most W. German pottery is commercially produced, molded ware. Some are still quite uncommon or rare, but others exist in very large numbers. YouTube.
Can you mistake a glaze without a country mark?
Fortunately, many of the decorations, glazes, and forms are distinctive enough so that once identified they won’t be mistaken again even without a mark, even without the numbers or a country mark.
Does the country mark work?
The country marking appears in many variations, and people try to find some pattern that will determine maker or time period. It doesn’t actually work. Variations include West Germany, W. Germany, W. Germ, even no country mark at all. Since these items were not made for export to the US, they didn’t need to worry about our laws requiring permanent marking of origin.
Does pottery have a company mark?
While a few West German pottery companies marked most of their items, the majority of the pottery has no permanent company mark. Instead, items usually have a set of numbers and some variation of the words West Germany, which is how that term came to describe all the work by so many companies. Without a company mark, attributions are difficult ...
