Bisque Porcelain Vase Duo – Werner Uhl for Scherzer Bavaria, 1960s–1970s

Mid-century Scherzer Bavaria bisque porcelain duo with flowing, rhythmic relief attributed to Werner Uhl, in cool matte white that turns every curve into a soft play of light and shadow. The tall cylinder and bottle-shaped vase share the same Op-Art inspired pattern, giving a calm but striking presence on any surface.

• Dimensions:
  • Tall vase H 24,5 cm, W 11 cm, D 9 cm
  • Bottle vase H 18 cm, Dia 8,5 cm
• Material: Bisque porcelain (matte, unglazed exterior, glazed interior)
• Brand: Scherzer Bavaria
• Designer: Werner Uhl (attributed)
• Color: White
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition; no chips, cracks or repairs, minimal signs of age
• Era: Late 1960s–1970s
• Origin: Germany
• Remarks: Both bases with Scherzer Bavaria mark and form numbers 515-2 and 515-3; sold as a matching duo

For lovers of mid-century calm with a twist: these two work beautifully as a small “porcelain landscape” on a sideboard, bookshelf or windowsill. Let the tall vase carry a few airy branches or a single dramatic stem, while the bottle vase holds a denser little bouquet – or keep both empty and let the shadows in their relief do the decorating, especially against a coloured or textured wall.

Werner Uhl is credited with a striking group of West German bisque-porcelain vases made for Scherzer Bavaria, defined by crisp Op-Art geometry and sculptural relief. Typically executed in matte, unglazed white, these pieces turn repetitive patterns into architectural forms and are now popular collector items. His name is also often associated with Rosenthal studio-line vases (frequently listed as “Pisa”).

Scherzer Bavaria (Zeh, Scherzer & Co.), founded in 1880 in Rehau, Bavaria, was a respected German porcelain manufactory known for quality tableware and export-ready coffee and tea services. With an in-house art department established in 1908, it also produced decorative objects and figures - especially Art Deco animal and fantasy form - while later decades brought collectible matte white bisque pieces, including sculptural relief vases in modern geometric styles. Porcelain production ended in 1992, and the manufactory subsequently closed.