Kongo Floor Vase by Bodo Mans for Bay Keramik, West Germany, 1950s

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An exceptionally beautiful floor vase in the rare and coveted "Kongo" decor, designed by Bodo Mans for Bay Keramik, West … Read more An exceptionally beautiful floor vase in the rare and coveted "Kongo" decor, designed by Bodo Mans for Bay Keramik, West Germany. Model 543-40, produced between 1957 and 1959 — among the earliest work from Mans' tenure as head designer at Bay Keramik.

This imposing vase stands 40 cm tall with a body diameter of 23 cm and features a bold, rounded barrel form with a narrow recessed rim. The exterior is finished in a warm brown-taupe matte glaze, covering the entire body in a rich, earthy tone. Scattered across the surface are raised oval medallions in glossy white glaze, each individually hand-decorated with abstract, painterly motifs in a subtle palette of lavender, violet, blue, copper brown, yellow, and turquoise. The effect is almost like a series of miniature abstract paintings set into the ceramic surface. A delicate incised line pattern flows between the medallions, creating a continuous organic rhythm across the form.

Bodo Mans (1921–2002) is widely regarded as one of the most talented and prolific designers of the West German pottery movement. His Kongo decor, with its sophisticated colour palette and textured glaze work, stands apart from the bolder primary-coloured patterns he later became known for. It represents a more nuanced, art-informed approach to ceramic decoration that appeals to both dedicated WGP collectors and admirers of mid-century decorative arts more broadly.

Impressed on the base with "West-Germany" and model number "543-40." This piece has an attribution mark,
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