Art Deco German Art Pottery

Manufacturer & History

• The Maker: Ferdi is the trade name for Ferdinand Reiff, a ceramics manufacturer based in Agathenhof (near Siegburg), Germany. They were known for these thick, expressive glazes well before the “Fat Lava” craze of the 1960s hit its peak.
• The Retailer Seal: The silver circular seal is particularly telling. It celebrates the 55th anniversary of Carl Richelmann, a prominent ceramic and glass retailer in Siegburg.
  • The Math: Since the seal explicitly lists 1879–1934, the “55” refers to the years between those dates (1879 + 55 = 1934). This suggests the set was likely produced in or around 1934 as a commemorative item or part of a special run for that anniversary.
  • Style Note: This “running glaze” technique (Laufglasur) was a hallmark of high-end German art pottery in the 1930s.

Component Breakdown

1. The Inkstand (Inkwell)

• Base Shape: The footprint is an asymmetrical wedge or an irregular trapezoid. It features a tiered, architectural design that feels very “Machine Age.”
• The Reservoir: On the higher “block” of the base sits a square-topped reservoir.
• The Insert: The set includes a removable square ceramic insert (white/pale turquoise glaze).
• The Lid: A square, flat lid with a prominent, cubic tangerine-orange finial/knob.
• Pen Tray: An integrated, sunken rectangular area is built into the sloped portion of the base to hold pens or nibs.

2. The Rocker Blotter

• Design: A rectangular ceramic top with a wide, curved bridge handle in solid tangerine orange.
• Construction: The underside is curved to allow the user to “rock” the blotter over fresh signatures. It has been outfitted with a piece of blotting paper wrapped around the wooden or metal core usually tucked beneath the ceramic shell.

Glaze & Aesthetic

The aesthetic is a masterclass in controlled chaos:

• Glaze Technique: This is a “Running Glaze” (Laufglasur). The thick, frothy dark brown/black lines are used to “corral” the colors, creating a volcanic, bubbly texture.
• The Palette:  Primary: A vibrant, glossy Tangerine Orange.
  • Secondary: Bands of Turquoise/Aqua and a sunny Yellow transition.
  • Background: A “salt-and-pepper” or oatmeal-textured tan glaze that provides a matte contrast to the glossy colored bands.
• Bottom Mark: The base is incised with the mold number 3256.

1. Mold Number 3256 & Colorways

The mold number 3256 belongs to a series of desk accessories produced by the Reiff factory in Siegburg.

• Identified Variants: These sets were produced in “families” of colors. While this one features the striking tangerine and turquoise, this mold has been seen in:
  • “Aurora” Brown/Orange: A more muted, earthy version with heavy manganese brown and dark orange streaks.
  • Monochromatic Cobalt: A deep blue running glaze, without the bright contrasting bands.
  • Pastel Deco: Earlier 1930s versions sometimes used softer “splatter” glazes in mint green or pale pink, though the “Fat Lava” texture here confirms it is from the bolder 1934-1940s era.
• The Carl Richelmann Connection: Because this set has the 55th Anniversary seal, it was a specific retail commission. It is likley that for the 1934 anniversary, Richelmann ordered a limited run in this specific high-contrast colorway to showcase modern 1930s tastes.