Jasba

History

Jasba, founded in 1926 by Jakob Schwaderlapp in Ransbach-Baumbach, West Germany, quickly became renowned for its innovative ceramic designs and high-quality craftsmanship. The company’s name combines elements from the founder’s name and its hometown. In the 1950s, designer Cilli Wörsdörfer led with matte glazes and subdued colours, while the 1960s saw Christiane Reuter introduce the vibrant “Bunte Welt der Keramik” (Colorful World of Ceramics) line, famous for its bright, glossy finishes. Jasba specialized in experimental shapes and moulded patterns, producing vases and decorative objects in off-white clay, often marked “West-Germany.” Art pottery production ceased in the 1970s, but Jasba continues today as a respected tile manufacturer.

Forms:
392 | 921 | 1695 | 1900

Decors:
Cortina | Jaspatina

Jasba Marks

Jasba art pottery is easily recognized by its use of white clay and a variety of marks, including incised or embossed “JASBA” on the base, sometimes within a raised square or simply marked “West Germany”. Form numbers and height are separated by an “/”. The distinctive “N” series features numbers starting with “N.” Jasba pieces may also have original paper, foil, or wax labels.

Jasba 127/29

Jasba 196/14

Jasba 1900/7

Jasba Forms

Form 392

Jasba 392/19 Cortina

Form 921

Jasba 921

Form 1695

Jasba 1695-40

Form 1900

Jasba 1900/7

Jasba Decors

Cortina

Very distinct craquelé decors, most in white, but there are a few other colours like yellow or brownish. This decor got copied by other companies, namely Jopeka. To distinguish, Jopeka added three small coloured spots to its art pottery, in yellow, red and blue.