Schlossberg Keramik 296-25 and 298-15

Schlossberg Keramik, which existed from 1946-1975, is a bit of a mystery to me. They produced some very well-known designs which are instantly recognizable to collectors: the black and white, tube-lined, drip decorated “Roulette;” the stony gray and sapphire blue (or blood red) “Capri;” and the red and green (or all mossy green) Brutalist, almost alien pieces I’ve seen referred to informally as “Maya.” Viewed as a group with the unnamed decor above, though, you’d be hard pressed to classify them as products of the same factory. It’s a shame, really. Schlossberg had talented designers, and made some beautiful products, but the lack of a Steve Jobs — that one person with an indomitable creative vision — permanently relegated them to a place where their vases will always prompt the question, “Who made this?”