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Art Deco Bauhaus Studiokeramik Sculptural Vase Paul Dresler Grootenburg Crackle
€199
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales
Product description
Paul Dresler – Sculptural Vessel, “Grotenburg” Series
Red Terracotta with Greenish Crackle Veins, Germany
A powerful sculptural vessel by Paul Dresler, one of the most distinctive voices in postwar German studio ceramics. This work belongs to Dresler’s Grotenburg series and exemplifies his mature language: compact, archaic forms combined with experimentally layered surfaces that oscillate between geology, skin, and archaeological artifact.
The vase presents a softly compressed, almost anthropomorphic body—bulbous yet grounded, with a narrow opening that reinforces its inward, contemplative presence. Its surface is the true protagonist: a deep, earthy red terracotta base is overlaid with irregular, fine green crackle lines, resembling tectonic fractures, oxidized copper, or the patina of ancient metal objects. The satin finish absorbs light rather than reflecting it, giving the piece a quiet, almost somber gravity.
Rather than decorative crackle, these lines function as structural drawing—a hallmark of Dresler’s work—mapping tension, movement, and time across the ceramic skin. The result is a vessel that feels less like a container and more like a compressed landscape, shaped by pressure, heat, and duration.
About the Artist – Paul Dresler
Paul Dresler is associated with the generation of German ceramic artists who deliberately distanced themselves from both industrial production and purely functional pottery. His work stands at the intersection of sculpture and ceramics, informed by modernist reduction as well as prehistoric and natural forms. Dresler’s vessels are often read as autonomous objects—closer to sculptural bodies than utilitarian containers—emphasizing material truth, surface experimentation, and restrained form.
Material & Technique
• Red terracotta
• Satin surface with greenish crackle veining
• Hand-formed, studio ceramic
• Fired to emphasize surface tension and chromatic depth
Dimensions
• Height: 21 cm
• Width: 19 cm
• Depth: 15 cm
Condition
Very good vintage condition. No cracks or restorations. Minor surface variations are inherent to the material and firing process and are integral to the artistic intent.
Context & Collectability
This piece belongs firmly within the tradition of German postwar studio ceramics, where the vessel becomes a site of sculptural inquiry rather than mere function. Comparable works can be situated alongside artists influenced by Hans Coper, Erwin Eisch, and the broader European movement toward expressive, materially driven ceramic sculpture.
An excellent addition for collectors of studio ceramics, sculptural vessels, or postwar German applied arts—equally compelling as a solitary object or within a curated ceramic landscape.
Provenance
Private collection, Germany.
General Information
Please explore our profile for more vintage vases!
International buyers: import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minimal traces of age; any significant flaws will be clearly mentioned.
Private sale under law: no returns, refunds, or warranties.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsGrey, Green, RedMaterialCeramicNumber of items1Height21 cmWidth19 cmDepth15 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales