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Celadon Vase Ru Ware Style “Handgedreht” possibly East or West German Pottery
€360€299-17%Bid from €270
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 21 sales
Product description
Mystery Celadon Vase – Ru Ware Style with “Handgedreht” and Marked ‘S’ in Circle – Possibly Steingut, Germany, 20th Century
This large and enigmatic porcelain or stoneware vase bridges the refined restraint of ancient Chinese ceramics with the subtle clues of mid-20th-century European craftsmanship. Measuring 28.5 cm in height and 22 cm at its widest diameter—with a delicately narrow 3 cm opening—this striking vessel evokes the elegance of Song Dynasty Ru ware, yet carries distinctly modern European markings: “HANDGEDREHT” (German for *wheel-thrown* or *hand-thrown*) and an incised “S” inside a circle, likely referencing Steingut (stoneware).
✧ A Vase Between Worlds
At first glance, this piece feels like a lost relic from the Northern Song dynasty: the pale celadon glaze shimmers with subtle tonal shifts, veering from translucent sky blue to a warmer grey-green depending on the light. Its surface is finely crackled, characteristic of high-quality celadon and especially reminiscent of Ru ware’s ethereal finish—praised for its meditative beauty and poetic tactility.
The pear-shaped form with slender neck and narrow mouth is a classical silhouette, used for centuries across Chinese ceramic traditions, notably during the 11th–12th centuries in courtly and monastic kilns such as those at Qingliangsi, Kaifeng.
But this is no ancient Chinese artifact. The "Handgedreht" inscription suggests it was made in a German-speaking workshop—possibly in the mid-20th century—by a ceramist steeped in Asian influences. The additional S-in-a-circle mark could plausibly refer to *Steingut*, hinting at high-fired stoneware typical of certain German or Austrian studio potteries. This mark remains unidentified, adding to the vase’s mystery and collectible intrigue.
✧ Specifications:
* **Height:** 28.5 cm
* **Diameter (widest):** 22 cm
* **Mouth opening:** 3 cm
* **Material:** High-fired porcelain or stoneware
* **Glaze:** Celadon, translucent bluish-green
* **Base markings:** Incised “HANDGEDREHT” and an “S” within a circle
* **Estimated date:** Mid-20th century, possibly 1950s–1970s
* **Condition:** Excellent vintage condition, no chips or cracks, with delicate glaze crazing consistent with age and style
✧ A Collectible Enigma
This vase embodies a hybrid of reverence and reinvention: a European studio piece clearly modeled on one of the rarest and most revered ceramic traditions in history. While its exact origin remains unidentified, it reflects a deep engagement with the Ru ware aesthetic—a glaze style so rare that fewer than 100 authentic examples exist today, all housed in top museum collections.
Whether created as a study piece by a German master ceramicist or as part of a sophisticated Chinoiserie revival, this vase offers collectors an irresistible combination of form, mystery, and tactile beauty.
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*Please examine photos closely for details. Questions are welcome!*
*International shipping available – contact me for precise delivery rates.*
*Check my profile for more vintage ceramics, design treasures, and studio pottery curiosities.*
Most importantly: this is a private sale between private individuals in accordance with German law, no refunds or returns are accepted.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsTurquoise, Blue, GreenMaterialCeramicNumber of items1Height28 cmWidth22 cmDepth22 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 21 sales