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ALBERT KIESSLING "SNAKESKIN" Vase TRIO East German Pottery REDUKTIONSGLASUR GDR
€399Bid from €299
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About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 25 sales
Product description
Rare “SNAKESKIN” Vase Trio – ALBERT KIESSLING – East German Studio Pottery – REDUKTIONSGLASUR (1950s–60s)
A Collector’s Set of Three Original Kiessling Vases
Albert Kießling, one of the most distinctive ceramic artists of the former East Germany (DDR), is celebrated for his pioneering work with shrink-glaze (Schlangenhaut) and reduction-fired crystalline textures. Born in Langenhessen and trained as a master ceramist, Kießling founded his own studio in 1954 — a workshop that would soon become known for some of the most technically daring and visually arresting glazes of the era.
His signature surface technique, often described as “snakeskin glaze”, is created through a meticulous resist-wax process followed by reduction firing (Reduktionsglasur). The result is a sharply cracked, organic pattern that looks almost geological — like dried riverbeds, reptile scales, or ancient cracked lacquer. Pieces created with this glaze are highly prized and today appear in major collections, including the GRASSI Museum in Leipzig.
This rare trio represents three of Kießling’s most expressive colorways —
a tall turquoise vase, a compact blue-white form, and a striking red-white variation, each with the unmistakable “Schlangenhaut” texture that defines his artistic legacy.
THE TRIO
1. Turquoise Snakeskin Vase (Tall)
Height: 20.5 cm
Diameter: 10 cm
Opening: approx. 3 cm
A beautifully proportioned vase with a cool turquoise shrink-glaze showing fine, even cracking across the surface — a classic example of Kießling’s technical mastery.
2. Blue & White Snakeskin Vase (Small)
Height: 12.5 cm
Diameter: approx. 5 cm at the opening
A compact, rounded vase with pronounced white crack patterns over deep blue — highly sculptural and visually intense, reminiscent of frost patterns or crystalline ice.
3. Reddish brown & White Snakeskin Vase (Medium)
Height: 18 cm
Diameter: 10 cm
Opening: approx. 2 cm
A rarer colorway in Kießling’s oeuvre: warm red-brown clay tones breaking through white shrink-glaze. Organic, earthy, and visually dramatic.
Historical Significance
Albert Kießling’s work is a cornerstone of East German studio ceramics (DDR Studiokeramik). His glazes are not merely decorative — they are experimental surfaces developed through controlled reduction and resist methods. This makes every piece unique, even within a series.
Collectors value Kießling’s vases for their:
✔ technical innovation
✔ sculptural presence
✔ museum-level craftsmanship
✔ rarity in complete multi-piece sets
A curated trio in three distinct colors — all produced in the 1950s–60s — is exceptionally difficult to assemble today.
Condition
All vases are in very good vintage condition, with expected light wear consistent with age.
No chips, no cracks, and no repairs.
Please review the photos, as they form part of the description.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Explore my profile for more retro vases, vintage fashion, and collector’s ceramics!
Questions are welcome and will be answered promptly.
International buyers welcome
Please contact me in advance for exact shipping costs outside the EU.
Import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are described and photographed with care. Vintage pieces may show minor signs of age; any significant flaws are clearly mentioned.
If purchasing multiple items, please contact me before checkout to confirm whether combined shipping is possible.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsMint, Turquoise, White, Taupe, Multi ColorMaterialCeramicNumber of items3Height20 cmWidth10 cmDepth10 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 25 sales