Langnau ceramics: nine generations of the Emmental potter’s art

In the 18th century, Langnau im Emmental developed into a centre of pottery — because the wealthy farmers, estate owners and merchants who had prospered through the cheese and linen trade, cattle breeding and forestry could afford the imaginatively designed ceramics. Master potters of the Herrmann family produced the finest ceramics in German-speaking Switzerland and formed a dynasty spanning nine generations.

Pictures without models, sayings from the Bible

Printed models were almost never used for the individually designed pictures on plates and tureens; the often didactic and moralising sayings derived from the Bible, religious writings or collections of proverbs. Considerable graphic effort went into both.

The collection of 26 lots on offer was assembled over a long period with care and expertise — including a lidded tureen of 1794, a cream bowl of 1773 and a barber’s bowl of 1807. Such an extensive group of Langnau ceramics rarely comes onto the art market.

The collection was auctioned at the Spring Auction 2024.