Scheurich 529-25

One of the best aspects about collecting mid-century pottery is the endless amount of choice, especially when discussing German manufacturers like Scheurich. Scheurich, which started in 1954 and is still making ceramics today, not only employed a wide range of forms but numerous sizes within those forms. In some cases, the same form was made both small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and large enough to serve as an umbrella holder! The results were not uniformly beautiful, however, as noted by MCM expert and author Mark Hill in his book Fat Lava. Describing a 40 cm version of a Bay Keramik form, Hill observed it was “comparatively clumpy,” adding that “Larger examples have better balance.” I agree; some sizes just seem to work better for some forms, as evidenced by this vase here. Although it comes in an 18cm size, 25cm just seems to be more “correct” than the smaller model, with the sides of the larger one leading oh so more gently to the softly hipped bottom and lengthening its profile handsomely. Of course, that is just my subjective view; perhaps someone finds the smaller version more appealing. It demonstrates the wisdom of the manufacturers at the time, who understood customers desired variety and gave it to them in spades. That variety is something which makes collecting MCM pottery that much more fun… though it also sadly highlights the sad state of “one size, one color” ceramics being sold in major stores today.