Set of 3, mid century modern, brutalist style ceramic Vases with brown and white "Fat Lava" glaze by Dutch ceramicists Marius and Hugo van Woerden in the 1970s in their factory Vest Keramiek in Gouda, the Netherlands. Included in the set are two rectangular base bud vases of model# F15 that measure 5 3/4" high and 2 3/4" square, and a "Hole (Loch)" or "Chimney" vase of model# RG10 that is 4" high and 4 1/2" in diameter. The bud vases have slightly irregular, almost twisted, square stems that come out of the rectangular base. The chimney vase has the classic hole through the center and an offset opening of the vessel on the top. All pieces have the same brown and white textured glaze called "Negro" in the company's records. The pieces do not have any markings, however they do match the characteristics of van Woerden pieces including the flat bottoms with diagonal slash mark (attributed to the seam from the joining of the two cast sides, the felt dots on the bottom, the glazing inside and out, the white baking clay the pieces are made of. The pieces can be identified on the company's model list as well among the many the brothers created. For more information on the van Woerden brothers, see below Notes. These pieces are all in very good condition, with no cracks, chips or breaks. A charming set to use together on a table or break up the set and use each piece individually, using them as vases or candlesticks!
Notes:
Marius van Woerden started his pottery business in 1964 in Monster, Zaalberg, the Netherlands after working for a number of Dutch potteries - De Steenuil, Groenevelt, Ravelli and Zaalberg. His brother, Hugo, joined him in 1965, moving to a larger facility as the business expanded. With growing success, the brothers moved again in 1973, changing the name of the business to Vest Keramiek, after the street the business was on.. The pieces were initially made of red clay, then later of white and grey with a variety of lava glazes. (they also produced some pieces using Chinese style reduction glazes but there items are fewer.) Pieces were distinctive, some with holes and others in their quirky shapes. In 1984, the brothers closed the business and moved to Canada to start afresh with Castle Ceramics in Ontario. They also started Brothers Stoneware / Brothers Potteries which made glazed and unglazed stoneware. Marius retired in 1994 and remained in Canada. Hugo returned to the Netherlands to continue to pot with his children in their own studios.
