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Set of 2 Ceramic Sconces or Ceiling Lights PAN Keramik, 1970s Fat Lava, Germany
Set of 2 Ceramic Sconces or Ceiling Lights PAN Keramik, 1970s Fat Lava, Germany

Set of 2 Ceramic Sconces or Ceiling Lights PAN Keramik, 1970s Fat Lava, Germany

By PAN Keramik, Fischer Leuchten, Goebel Company

Located in Andernach, DE

Fantastic sconces / ceiling lights from Fat Lava ceramic by PAN Keramik, which was a branch of the

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ceramic

1960's Walter Gerhards Fat Lava Ceramic Table Lamp with New Linen Shade
1960's Walter Gerhards Fat Lava Ceramic Table Lamp with New Linen Shade

1960's Walter Gerhards Fat Lava Ceramic Table Lamp with New Linen Shade

By Herda, Walter Gerhards

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Great West German fat lava glazed ceramic table lamp by Walter Gerhards for Herda with interesting

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Linen

Pair of Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights or Flush Mount
Pair of Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights or Flush Mount

Pair of Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights or Flush Mount

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A stunning Set of two Modernist fat lava wall lights. Made of ceramic by Hustadt Leuchten, Germany

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

70s Fat Lava Pottery Vase in Neutral Earth Tone By Scheurich, West Germany
70s Fat Lava Pottery Vase in Neutral Earth Tone By Scheurich, West Germany

70s Fat Lava Pottery Vase in Neutral Earth Tone By Scheurich, West Germany

By Scheurich Keramik

Located in Roma, IT

extremely textured East German pottery called "Fat Lava". What I like about this vase, and what pushed me to

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Set of Two Pottery Fat Lava Vases "206-26" Made by Scheurich, Germany, 1970s
Set of Two Pottery Fat Lava Vases "206-26" Made by Scheurich, Germany, 1970s

Set of Two Pottery Fat Lava Vases "206-26" Made by Scheurich, Germany, 1970s

By Scheurich Keramik

Located in Kirchlengern, DE

Article: Set of two fat lava art vases Model: 206-26 Producer: Scheurich, Germany

Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Roth Keramik Fat Lava "Brick" Vase, Model #310, West German, 1960s
Vintage Roth Keramik Fat Lava "Brick" Vase, Model #310, West German, 1960s

Vintage Roth Keramik Fat Lava "Brick" Vase, Model #310, West German, 1960s

By Roth Keramik

Located in San Diego, CA

A striking West German “Fat Lava” art pottery vase by Roth Keramik, model 310, produced circa 1970

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Large zoomorphic vase in red fat lava by JASBA - 1970 - West Germany ceramics
Large zoomorphic vase in red fat lava by JASBA - 1970 - West Germany ceramics

Large zoomorphic vase in red fat lava by JASBA - 1970 - West Germany ceramics

By Jasba

Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR

Large zoomorphic vase in red fat lava by JASBA - 1970 - West Germany ceramics Superb zoomorphic

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Enamel

Fat Lava Floor Vase with Red Drip-Glaze 'Scheurich 279-38, W-Germany' 1960s
Fat Lava Floor Vase with Red Drip-Glaze 'Scheurich 279-38, W-Germany' 1960s

Fat Lava Floor Vase with Red Drip-Glaze 'Scheurich 279-38, W-Germany' 1960s

By Scheurich Keramik, West German Pottery

Located in Verviers, BE

Classic fat lava red drip-glaze on charcoal background. Floor vase with handle. Vintage Scheurich

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Jars

Materials

Ceramic

Small Fat Lava Vase Dumler Breiden West Germany Pottery 644-15
Small Fat Lava Vase Dumler Breiden West Germany Pottery 644-15

Small Fat Lava Vase Dumler Breiden West Germany Pottery 644-15

By Dümler & Breiden

Located in Poperinge, BE

Small vintage vase with beige and brown volcanic fat lava drip glaze, by Dumler & Breiden, West

Category

Vintage 1960s German Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage West Germany Pottery Scheurich Blue Orange Fat Lava 408-40
Vintage West Germany Pottery Scheurich Blue Orange Fat Lava 408-40

Vintage West Germany Pottery Scheurich Blue Orange Fat Lava 408-40

By Scheurich Keramik

Located in Poperinge, BE

Large vintage Scheurich vase, blue glazed ceramic with an orange fat lava band along the middle

Category

Vintage 1970s German Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of 1950s Fat Lava Candlesticks by Marius Giuge from Vallauris, French
Pair of 1950s Fat Lava Candlesticks by Marius Giuge from Vallauris, French

Pair of 1950s Fat Lava Candlesticks by Marius Giuge from Vallauris, French

By Marius Giuge

Located in London, GB

This is a pair of collectable French fat lava ceramic candlesticks from the 1950s, made in

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks

Materials

Ceramic

Tall Fat Lava Art Pottery Floor Vase by Scheurich, Western Germany, 1970s
Tall Fat Lava Art Pottery Floor Vase by Scheurich, Western Germany, 1970s

Tall Fat Lava Art Pottery Floor Vase by Scheurich, Western Germany, 1970s

By Scheurich Keramik, Scheurich & Greulich Keramik

Located in Vienna, AT

This is a beautiful 16-inch tall handled art pottery ceramic (floor) vase in the distinctive "fat

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta

1990s Brutalist Orange and Gray Fat Lava Ceramic German Vase
1990s Brutalist Orange and Gray Fat Lava Ceramic German Vase

1990s Brutalist Orange and Gray Fat Lava Ceramic German Vase

By Scheurich Keramik

Located in Aci Castello, IT

This striking 1990s Modernist German ceramic vase serves as a bold example of the enduring "Fat

Category

Late 20th Century German Brutalist Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Red Fat Lava Horses Vase by Scheurich, Western Germany, 1960s
Red Fat Lava Horses Vase by Scheurich, Western Germany, 1960s

Red Fat Lava Horses Vase by Scheurich, Western Germany, 1960s

By Scheurich Keramik

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, the company became synonymous with distinctive art pottery, including iconic pieces like the Fat Lava

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Fat Lava Style German Colored Ceramic Glazed Vase
Fat Lava Style German Colored Ceramic Glazed Vase

Fat Lava Style German Colored Ceramic Glazed Vase

Located in Prato, Tuscany

and ceramics. "Fat lava" is the name given to a certain style of East German art pottery that spread

Category

Late 20th Century German Brutalist Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Backlit Wall Mirror by Pan Leuchten in Style of Fat Lava, Germany 1970s
Ceramic Backlit Wall Mirror by Pan Leuchten in Style of Fat Lava, Germany 1970s

Ceramic Backlit Wall Mirror by Pan Leuchten in Style of Fat Lava, Germany 1970s

By PAN Keramik

Located in Nuernberg, DE

wall light mirror gives each room a eclectic statement. It's in the design of the Fat Lava Era, marked

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

1970s Modernist Fat Lava Red and Black Ceramic German Bottle Vase by Scheurich
1970s Modernist Fat Lava Red and Black Ceramic German Bottle Vase by Scheurich

1970s Modernist Fat Lava Red and Black Ceramic German Bottle Vase by Scheurich

By Scheurich Keramik, Roth Keramik

Located in Aci Castello, IT

A modernist fat lava ceramic vase made in Germany by famous manufacturer Scheurich keramik. It's

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Vase by Van Woerden for Vest Keramik, 1960s
Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Vase by Van Woerden for Vest Keramik, 1960s

Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Vase by Van Woerden for Vest Keramik, 1960s

By Marius Van Woerden

Located in Hamburg, DE

Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Vase by Van Woerden for Vest Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions

Category

20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-20th Century German Ceramic Vase, Textured Glaze, Fat Lava Style
Mid-20th Century German Ceramic Vase, Textured Glaze, Fat Lava Style

Mid-20th Century German Ceramic Vase, Textured Glaze, Fat Lava Style

Located in High Point, NC

characteristic of German “fat lava” pottery. The combination of rugged texture and vivid color variation gives

Category

20th Century German Vases

Materials

Ceramic

1960s German Ceramic Vase, Fat Lava Design, Black & Green, Mid-Century
1960s German Ceramic Vase, Fat Lava Design, Black & Green, Mid-Century

1960s German Ceramic Vase, Fat Lava Design, Black & Green, Mid-Century

Located in High Point, NC

distinctive fat lava design captures attention with its bold black exterior and vibrant green center, creating

Category

Mid-20th Century German Vases

Materials

Ceramic

lot of 8 Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights Sconces
lot of 8 Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights Sconces

lot of 8 Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights Sconces

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A stunning set of eight Modernist fat lava wall lights. Made of ceramic by Hustadt Leuchten

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Red Fat Lava Vases Scheurich Jura West Germany
Set of 2 Red Fat Lava Vases Scheurich Jura West Germany

Set of 2 Red Fat Lava Vases Scheurich Jura West Germany

By Scheurich Keramik

Located in Poperinge, BE

A beautiful set of two red Fat Lava vases made by Scheurich. The design is called "Jura," West

Category

Vintage 1960s German Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Fat Lava German Colored And Glazed Ceramic Pitcher
Fat Lava German Colored And Glazed Ceramic Pitcher

Fat Lava German Colored And Glazed Ceramic Pitcher

Located in Prato, Tuscany

porcelain and ceramic production. "Fat lava" is the name given to a certain style of East German art pottery

Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Modern Fat Lava Ceramic Vase by Fridegart Glatzle, Karlsruhe, 1960s
Midcentury Modern Fat Lava Ceramic Vase by Fridegart Glatzle, Karlsruhe, 1960s

Midcentury Modern Fat Lava Ceramic Vase by Fridegart Glatzle, Karlsruhe, 1960s

By Majolica Manufactory of Karlsruhe

Located in Grythyttan, SE

exhibits characteristic bubbles typical of fat lava glaze. Friedegart Glatzle (b.1920), joined

Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Rare Green Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Vases by Dümler and Breiden Germany, 1970s
Rare Green Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Vases by Dümler and Breiden Germany, 1970s

Rare Green Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Vases by Dümler and Breiden Germany, 1970s

By Dümler & Breiden

Located in Kirchlengern, DE

rare vase set in lovely abstract fat lava illustration and grey, brown and green colors. Dimensions

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Pair of Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights by Pan Leuchten
Pair of Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights by Pan Leuchten

Pair of Modernist 1970s German Ceramic Fat Lava Wall Lights by Pan Leuchten

By PAN Keramik

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A stunning pair of Modernist fat lava wall lights. Made of ceramic attributed to Pan Keramik

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Red Fat Lava Design Vase Bay Keramik West Germany Pottery 67-30
Red Fat Lava Design Vase Bay Keramik West Germany Pottery 67-30

Red Fat Lava Design Vase Bay Keramik West Germany Pottery 67-30

By Bay Keramik

Located in Poperinge, BE

Beautiful vintage fat lava design vase, red, black and white glazed West Germany pottery, by Bay

Category

Vintage 1960s German Vases

Materials

Ceramic

colorful vintage 17" gruenstadt ceramic PLATTER plate 1960s 70s fat lava
colorful vintage 17" gruenstadt ceramic PLATTER plate 1960s 70s fat lava

colorful vintage 17" gruenstadt ceramic PLATTER plate 1960s 70s fat lava

Located in Mannheim, DE

glaze and black fat lava glaze. Manufactured by Grünstadt Keramik, 1960s to 1970s. Includes a wall

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage West Germany Pottery Scheurich Blue Orange Fat Lava 408-40
Vintage West Germany Pottery Scheurich Blue Orange Fat Lava 408-40

Vintage West Germany Pottery Scheurich Blue Orange Fat Lava 408-40

By Scheurich Keramik

Located in Poperinge, BE

Large vintage Scheurich vase, blue glazed ceramic with an orange fat lava band along the middle

Category

Vintage 1970s German Vases

Materials

Ceramic

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Fat Lava For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the fat lava you’re looking for. A fat lava — often made from ceramic, pottery and metal — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer fat lava, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A fat lava is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Arts and Crafts styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made fat lava over the years, but those crafted by Scheurich Keramik, Bay Keramik and Carstens Tönnieshof are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Fat Lava?

Prices for a fat lava can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $78 and can go as high as $2,950, while the average can fetch as much as $622.

A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

Questions About Fat Lava
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A fat lava glaze refers to a specific type of very thick, lava-like glaze that were commonly used by West German potteries from 1949-1990. Fat lava is sometimes used as a synonym for all West German pottery, although only some examples have the true fat lava style. Shop a collection of antique fat lava glazed pottery from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Scheurich pottery is the name of earthenware produced by the German manufacturer Scheurich. Its mid-century pieces featuring thick glaze are especially popular among collectors, but the company has manufactured vases, planters and other decorative objects for more than 90 years. You'll find a range of Scheurich pottery on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    A fat lava vase is a nickname for West Germany pottery. The vases feature very thick flowing glazes. When eBay first came into popularity, German sellers often mistranslated their descriptions, calling the finish fat instead of thick. Collectors soon adopted the term. Shop a variety of fat lava vases on 1stDibs.