Gerhard Nußmann (b.1943) & Gottfried Stöhr (1932-2016) for Wallendorf

“Landmarks of East Berlin” Porcelain Jar
Gottfried Stöhr (1932-2016) and Gerhard Nußmann (b.1943)
for Wallendorfer Porzellanfabrik (Wallendorf Porcelain Factory)
German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Circa 1970

Measures:-
12 cm high x 10.5 cm diameter 

An interesting porcelain jar commemorating the landmarks of East Berlin. Wallendorfer Porzellan, founded in 1764, is one of the oldest porcelain factories in Europe. After WW2 the pottery found itself in communist East Germany and from 1953-1990 Wallendorfer was a state-owned company.

This jar, in a pattern designed by Gottfried Stöhr and Gerhard Nußmann, is a fascinating reminder of the Cold War Era, during which time Berlin spent 42 years as a divided city (before German Reunification in 1990). The decoration on this piece includes images of the Fernsehturm (Berlin TV tower), Rotes Rathaus, Haus des Lehrers, Brandenburg Gate, Glienicker Brücke (Glienicke Bridge), Staatsoper Unter den Linden (Berlin State Opera), Berlin Cathedral etc - all of which were on the communist, East German, side of the Berlin Wall. The design champions the architecture located within socialist East Berlin: in particular the Fernsehturm projected the achievements of the GDR (at the time it of its opening, in 1969, it was the fourth tallest free-standing building in the world and the second in Europe). The colour scheme of the pattern in red, yellow and black, reflects the colours of the German flag.

For a coffee cup in the same pattern see the DDR Museum, Berlin (Inventarnummer [Inventory No.] 1021923)