Appreciating Schafer and Vater Ceramics

I became very interested in Schafer and Vater because of this hungry little raven that I bought in an antique shop in Rhode Island. I didn’t imagine he was an ashtray, as it looked as if it would be difficult to clean out. Later I thought it might’ve been a toothpick holder. Come to think of it, it also could have been a matchstick holder.

I found a similar raven that was attributed to Schafer and Vater online at the time mine was for sale. Mine sold very quickly, and from that point on I began the hunt for similar items. As a seller, I pick things to sell that I connect with somehow. These pieces are charming or funny and even straight out strange. To learn more about the history of this company, which was founded in 1880 and eventually closed in 1962, Carlopeto‘s website is a perfect place to explore all things Schafer and Vater.

This is the hallmark for the company, a crown over the letter R which is centered in a multi pointed star. Sometimes you can see a faint mark of it on the base of an item or it not be present at all. But, the style and characteristics of this unique porcelain gives away the manufacturer, who was in business in Thuringia in Eastern Germany for 80 years. The clay they used was particularly well suited to a velvety texture in the finished product.

Here are examples of the different wares they made in order to help you recognize them while you are on the hunt for all things Schafer and Vater!

Creamers or Water Pitchers

Schafer and Vater were well known for their figural pitchers. This charming dressed cow is ready to pour out some cream or milk from her open mouth! They also have similar pitchers of people from different lands and other animals to amuse and delight. This one pictured is from the Etsy shop of PrettyWickedPalace for $125.

Liquor Bottles, Flasks, Nippers

The company made empty bottles for liquor which would be sold to bars and pubs or for special occasions and celebrations to be filled later with spirits. These are generalized as giveaways. Imagine the joy and fun for someone to receive a flask such as this fire fighter themed one at a town celebration or acknowledgement of the fire brigade’s dedication to the safety of a town. This one is from the Etsy shop of JansVintageShop for $98.

Blue Glazed Figurals and Pitchers

Schafer and Vater also used a blue glaze that settled into the textural details of some wares and gave the appearance of a wiped finish. This Tyrolean dressed creamer cow is one of many animals and humans offered in this glaze technique. He is being offered on NextStage Vintage on Etsy for $45.

Match Holders

Match holders were practical, but they also were a chance to put on display even more of Schafer and Vater’s designs in people’s homes. There were some that said “Scratch my patch” on the behind of a man working in his garden or open mouth people to hold matches at the ready. When I first got this fellow, I was convinced he was a hat pin holder! With these older ceramics, sometimes your first guess is wrong. This creepy count is part of a set of heads with holes instead of hair to receive the smaller wood matches of the twenties and thirties. I imagine once the match lit the cigarette and was blown out it was placed in his open mouth to cool off. This one is in my shop on Etsy, aunthattiesattic for $89.99.

Moon Figures, Bathing Beauties and Naughty Nellies

The company also made bathing beauties in full bathing attire and nudes as sun bathers. The moon figure below and some others I would call Naught Nellies were made for the gents, half clad in underthings and often wearing signature black hose. The one below is sweet but others are more risque and not for this little post of mine. The photo on the left is from Heritage Auctions.

Jasperware

Jasperware is a fine-grained unglazed stoneware developed by English potter Josiah Wedgwood in 1775. It was widely copied and it seemed to be a hit at Schafer and Vater as well. This hair receiver was made at the pottery and features a classical motif. Women saved their hair to make a hair rat, which was used to help boost the shape of the Victorian hairstyle. There are plenty of how to make your own hair rat tutorials online, including this one from girlofadifferentera.com. I found this jasperware hair collector on Etsy in RosesandRueAntiques for $65.

Rose O’Neill Kewpies

Rose O’Neill  was at one time an icon of popular culture. Her drawings manifested later as dolls and figurines are still highly prized today. She authorized Schafer and Vater, who already made fine ceramic doll heads, to manufacture her kewpies. This jasperware hair receiver (yes another one!) has freewheeling kewpie babies on the lid and bowl. How lucky to find two of S & V ‘s two lines together in one object. The Etsy shop LynnsofAlameda has this scarce beauty for $200.

Hope you will now keep an extra eye out there if you find Schafer and Vater to be exciting pieces to collect or sell.