West German Art Pottery

Even though company names are now better known, and many items are attributed to specific makers, the more generic term "West German pottery" remains in common use.

"Fat Lava" is a popular term that strictly refers to a fairly small subcategory of glazes but is all too often improperly used as a synonym for West German pottery.

The work of the main producers in the style concentrated on single decorative items such as vases, jugs and bowls, rather than sets of tableware.

The bodies sometimes carried moulded patterning or incised decoration (as in the 'Vetter' bowl) but glaze colours usually had the impression of being placed by flowing or brushing, rather than more precise painting.

In 2006 Graham Cooley organised the exhibition "Fat Lava: West German Ceramics of the 60s & 70s" at the King’s Lynn Arts Centre[1] from his vast collection.

In 2021, a Japanese edition of Fat Lava was also published, further expanding the reach and appreciation of West German art pottery.