I HAVE BOUGHT ZEISEL pieces from all over the globe. It is often intriguing to speculate how they got to where they were. I once bought a Schramberg teapot from a lady in Argentina. When you think of the
German diaspora before and after World War II, one could just imagine that little teapot's journey. Schramberg is relatively easier to find than her designs for another German pottery, Carstens-Hirschau, where Eva may have worked for a year between 1931 and 1932 before she decamped for the Soviet Union.
Many of Eva's designs at Carstens were a continuation of her experiments at Schramberg. The most intriguing development on this phase is the appearance of the curved handle on the T-series. I believe this is the first instance where Eva employed the curve ergonomically. When you hold the teapot, the thumb rests firmly on the flat handle, the index and middle fingers grasp the top loop, while the ring and pinky fingers are nestled in opposition on the outside curve. The act of pouring tea feels balanced and comfortable. We would see her explore this further in the S-1 series for Dulevo and the early down-turned teacup handles for Castleton.
About Eva's work at Carstens
Eva designed 5 (maybe 6) different coffee and tea sets while at Carstens-Hirschau. They are labeled with C, R, S, and T. Shapes numbered between 140 and 215/218 are acknowledged to be her designs and they include, among others, bowls, butter dishes, smoker's sets, eggcup trays, and vases.
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| Similarity in form between Schramberg (top, marmalade jar 3417 with attached underplate) and two Carstens butter dishes (below) |
Many of Eva's designs at Carstens were a continuation of her experiments at Schramberg. The most intriguing development on this phase is the appearance of the curved handle on the T-series. I believe this is the first instance where Eva employed the curve ergonomically. When you hold the teapot, the thumb rests firmly on the flat handle, the index and middle fingers grasp the top loop, while the ring and pinky fingers are nestled in opposition on the outside curve. The act of pouring tea feels balanced and comfortable. We would see her explore this further in the S-1 series for Dulevo and the early down-turned teacup handles for Castleton.
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| The creamer and sugar bowl (both marked T-2) and teapot (marked T-3) are part of Eva's T-series for Carstens-Hirschau. |
About Eva's work at Carstens
Eva designed 5 (maybe 6) different coffee and tea sets while at Carstens-Hirschau. They are labeled with C, R, S, and T. Shapes numbered between 140 and 215/218 are acknowledged to be her designs and they include, among others, bowls, butter dishes, smoker's sets, eggcup trays, and vases.
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