International studio (53.1914)

Modern German Ceramic Art

ODERN GERMAN CERAMIC
ART. BY L. DEUBNER.
Sixteen years ago at the international
exhibition of pottery organised by the Royal
Museum of Industrial Art in Berlin, German pro-
ductions formed a quite subordinate feature. Of
all the artists to whom we are indebted for the
present flourishing state of the potter’s art in
Germany, the only two whose exhibits on that
occasion were at all able to pass muster by the
side of the brilliant productions of France, England,
Denmark and the Orient, were Max Lauger and
Richard Mutz. The exhibition comprised almost
exclusively—and this is a point of significance—
wares of the “ knick-knack ” class and articles de luxe
distinguished by refinement of form and beauty of
glaze ; while things meant for real everyday use, such

as jugs, pots, and table services, were conspicuous by
their absence, for the simple reason that articles of
the kind with any claim to artistic qualities were
practically non-existent.
To-day such a pottery exhibition would present
an entirely different aspect, for in scarcely any other
sphere of activity has the movement which during
the past ten years has unceasingly striven to bring
about the exaltation of craftsmanship in Germany
yielded such gratifying results as those which have
been achieved in the field of ceramic production.
This shows that it is possible for every generation
to impress on its products the spirit of the age,
however ancient may be the substances and
technical processes that are employed, for in spite
of all the mechanical aids resorted to in wholesale
manufacture, pottery wares are to this very day
produced in much the same way as they have been




COLOURED POTTERY DESIGNED BY PROF. MAX LAUGER, EXECUTED BY THE TONWERKE KANDERN, BADEN

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