Sculptural ceramic vase by Hans & Renate Heckmann, 1972

Sculptural ceramic vase by Hans Renate Heckmann (1935 - 2022), Germany 1972. Hans took his pottery apprenticeship in 1950– 1953, Renate between 1959 - 1962 and continued between 1963 – 1965 at the Technical school for ceramics in Höhr- Grenzhausen. In 1962 Hans took over the workshop of his parents and continued to run it together with Renate Heckmann. It was Renate who changed the vision of the studio with her artistic approach. In 1967 the light Westerwald stoneware clay was introduced and the firing temperature was increased to 1300°. This change had a great impact on their works, they where able to crate amazing thick and flowing glazings on a very strong and beautiful neutral surface which expressed the colors even more. In particular, the development of their own glazes in a wide variety gave the workshop its individual signature. This work is one of their bigger box vases made and shows an incredible voluminous glazing in different outspoken and unique colors. The vase is stamped at the bottom with the first mark which they used until 1971. The vase is displayed in the book from the Württembergisches Landesmuseum Stuttgart; Renate und Hans Heckmann Ceramic 1965 - 1980, page 46. In excellent original condition.