Strehla-Keramik, (DDR - GDR, Former East Germany)

Cobalt blue vase No. 1271?
A real stunner. The DDR factory in Strehla is not well known, but a few discerning collectors are going for the really exotic retro designs. The factory also made a whole ton of tat. Germans with a nostalgia for the old East Germany collect these things under the title 'DDR Ostalgie', which is a pun on Ost- (East) and Nostalgie (Nostalgia). Marked 'Strehla import handgemalt' which means 'handpainted'. This one is an import, presumably to the West German market, given that the word 'handgemalt' is in German. It is in mint condition and was bought in The Netherlands at a fleamarket in 2004. Value: £5-15

Sgrafo Porzellanfabrik (Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany)

Peter Müller designed a series of stylised animal models in porcelain around 1955. They have impressed numbers (in the low 1000s) underneath. From 1958, teak-mounted versions were produced. Successful models were re-issued up to 1970.

Lang Ebrach Porzellanfabrik (Bavaria, Germany)

Jaeger & Co., Porzellanfabrik Marktredwitz (Bavaria, Germany)

The factory closed in 1987.

Porcelain vase
Pantonesque overglaze pattern in burgundy and gold. Minute pinprick on rim. Value: £20-25

PB?

I don't know this backstamp. Please email if you know.

Small purple pattern vase 7126/?
Interesting patterned porcelain vase; not sure of the date. Value: £15

Wächtersbacher Keramik (Germany)

Freeform vase Kiel
with tears embossed into the body and picked out with fifties colours. Stamped "Made in West Germany 'Kiel' Dec 6346". Ursula Fesca designed many pieces for the factory but I don't know is this is one of hers (please email me if you know). A range of freeform objects was produced by this factory in the 1950s with pattern names such as Kiel and Berlin. This one is in pristine condition with possible minimal traces of use inside. Value: £15-25

Dümler & Breiden (Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany)

Spiral slipware dish, c. 1950s or early sixties.
Another outstanding retro piece from Germany. Value: £5-15

Goebel (Germany)

3 storage jars
Stamped 1962. With fab transfer print of colourful fruits, and orange-painted lids with a pear on top. Mint condition with only occasional scratches on the transfer. Value: £20 (set of 3)

Handpainted part cruet set
Vinegar bottle (marked E) and with cork lined stopper (chunk of cork missing), a salt shaker and a mustard pot. In unused condition. According to Hummel's list, the backstamp dates this set from 1964-1972. Value: no idea, but it cost me 15 euros in 2004.

ASA (Germany)

Two large leaf-dishes
Matt glazed in two sizes. Each has a slight roughness or graze to one of the tips. I don't know the date. They look early sixties but if anyone knows, please let me know. See also the current website of this company. Value: £10 (pair)

Steuler (Germany)

Steuler ceased production in 1996.

Continua series (1966)
Candlesticks, designed by Cari Zalloni. His Zyklon series, also for Steuler, had concentric rings. Mint condition. The backstamp is an anchor mark. The large one is marked 204/20 or 264/20; the smaller one is marked 150/25. Value: £10-20 (pair)

Schramberger Majolika-Fabrik (Germany)

Ceased production in 1989.