West German Ceramic Floor Lamp

This very large and impressive floor lamp is a design of Walter Gerhards ceramics from West Germany.

The striking if not outlandish design features a blood red oval and feminine form surrounded by star burst slits in the ceramic shell through which the second of two lamps shine.

As expected with these rather radical lamp designs, there comes a tall conical lamp shade of the period.

The hessian shade having a diameter of 37cm is banded at quarter height with orange brocade and stands an impressive 80 cm tall.

When fully assembled the lamp will occupy the room to a height of 1.46 meters, a base width of 35 cm and depth of 26 cm.

Walter Gerhards
1957-2000

Walter Gerhards KG was founded 1957 (registered in 1959) in Ransbach-Baumbach, by Walter Gerhards and his wife Elfriede Gerhards. Walter Gerhards KG was changed to Gerhards GmbH in 1974. In 1984 ownership of the company changed and the company continued to 2000.

In 1977 there were approximately 50 employees, later expanding up to 70 employees using six large electric ovens.

Elfriede Gerhards managed the company whilst Walter Gerhards led the artistic and technical designs.

Initially production focused on ceramic plant pots but soon switched to ornamental lighting and other decorative ceramics. A large range of decorative items were produced including light fixtures, vases and plates etc. Ceramic lights (standing or hanging) were supplied to lighting companies who completed the electronic components.

There was a particular interest in relief decorations, which reflected ancient scenes. Examples include the Assyrian lion hunt which replicated scenes from the British Museum and a Napoleon series which imitated items from the time (a jug gifted to from Napoleon I to the Empress Josephine in the Museum of Arts Decoratif in Paris).

With thanks to Ralf J. Schumann and the article he published in Trödler in April 2014 for much of the detailed information.