BC Ceramics: Herta

History:   the Herta years

Production years: 1955-1967
Location: Hamilton Street (Yaletown district) Vancouver, B.C., Canada
People:   Herta Gerz (1913-2005) Artistic Director, designer, production manager

      • focused on training decorating staff, on designing unique & varied decorative patterns, motifs & figurines, on decorating utilitarian items with Canadian flora, fauna & native motifs, on shaping the direction of future ceramic production in contemporary themes & abstract decoration
      • remained as the production manager when the company was acquired by Sunburst Ceramics of Lethbridge and worked in both Lethbridge and Vancouver until production at the Vancouver branch closed about 1970.

Walter Gerz – Ceramic engineer, responsible for technical aspects of production, such as glazes & plant equipment design

Mr. Leuchte  – managing partner/owner, 1955+               *J. Meadows confirms he was still the business manager in 1966-67.

Materials:     ♦ Slipcast     ♦ white clay     ♦ moulds    ♦ matte glazes & colours   ♦ high gloss glazes
Influences:
♦ predominantly from Germany & California     ♦ modern European design      ♦ international design     ♦ the optimism of the 50s and 60s in Canada     ♦ bold colour combinations & abstract art

(Permission has been granted by Allan Collier for use of the information on Herta and BC Ceramics. See BC Ceramics: Herta ‘Additional Resources’)

Decorative motifs & pattern names:
One of Herta’s most iconic Canadian designs, the West Coast Indian Design series, employed Native west coast imagery as a means of grounding her work in Canada’s coastal culture. Canadian First Nations artists supplied commissioned designs that were hand-decorated on various ceramic moulds by B.C. Ceramics staff members. This series was known to be produced in the late 1950s to early 1960s.

Thunderbird
Exterior:  matte green/grey glaze; Interior: matte solid grey glaze; Front decoration: relief hand decorated Thunderbird motif in various poses: outstretched wings, side profile, walking bird, dual mirrored birds
Totem Pole & Raven
Curdled cream matte glaze, light chocolate satin matte exterior; matte grey-tan glaze; Totem pole and raven multicoloured applied raised design
Eagle Crest
Blue glaze with white raised eagle totem design
Eagle
Gloss black glaze; Applied raised First Nations style design of eagle, multicoloured eagle
Fish / whale
Exterior bottom, top edges: dark grey mottled glaze; balance is matte light grey glaze; Low relief native fish / whale image
3 – [Multicoloured totem bird]
Speckled matte grey glaze; Low relief raised bird in profile

Decor patterns of Canadian Flora and Fauna follow contemporary Canadian themes in their representation of Canada’s glorious landscapes and wildlife. Herta’s Wildlife Series figurines are a departure from the more traditional ceramic functional moulded forms.
Mounts: usually on Walnut wood base, but could also be on clay base
Glazes:  ♦ mottled brown gloss     ♦ high-gloss brown     ♦ semi-gloss black-brown glaze     ♦ semi-gloss beige-tan glaze     ♦ satin matte cream glazed       ♦ satin matte glaze, light tan with grey detailing     ♦ dark green high gloss glaze     ♦ and more…
Wildlife figurines:  ♦ loons     ♦ penguin     ♦ squirrel     ♦ polar bear     ♦ seal     ♦ salmon     ♦ deer fawn     ♦ ducks    ♦ moose     ♦ cougar     ♦ beaver     ♦ Inuit hunter with black bear     ♦ etc.

Herta’s flora decors were often represented by leaves, as well as branches in the design. Autumn colours were the predominant colour themes when leaves were represented in decoration and, in what I informally call her Nature series and Provincial Flowers series, the glorious colours of nature burst from the background in raised relief, in applied floral decor, and in hand-painted details.
Indian Summer
Mottled, beige and white glaze; Center design: bough of cranberries with 2 fruit clusters; red circles of berries appear slightly pressed into surface

3 & 4: Showing 2 different decor versions for the same pattern name, "Mountain Leaves"

“Mountain Leaves”

Mountain Foliage (or Mountain Leaves)
Glaze colours: rust colour, dark brown, turquoise, pale yellow; Rust colour matte glazed interior; pale yellow matte glazed exterior; Decorated in engraving and raised low relief leaves and branches; Decorations painted in autumn colours
Autumn Leaves
Matte brown exterior glaze with turquoise interior glazed, also matte black glaze; Incised leaf motif on exterior; Slightly raised painted leaves in yellow, brown green
Windblown
Glaze: mottled grey and white glaze; Outer surface decorated with roughly drawn triangles in colours of green, brown, rust, yellow and high-gloss red; one daisy-like flower; Inner surface is coated with creamy matte glaze

Canadian Provincial Flowers series:
Dogwood       (BC)
Background glaze: black, medium brown, and powder blue; Painting of dogwood flower surrounded by green leaves; Sometimes back has 3 dogwood leaves
Wild Rose     (Alberta)
Cream colour glazed exterior surface; Surface painted with a wild rose flower in pink, green and yellow
Trillium     (Ontario)
Matte blue glaze, transparent glaze on outside; Painting of long-stemmed Trillium flower and 2 stalks of grain or grass
Violet     (New Brunswick)
Turquoise matte background with incised violets in slightly raised glaze in purple, green and gold

Nature series:
Maple
Vegetal decoration with one maple leaf on sides in yellow, brown, green
Sunflower
Daffodil
Pussy Willow
Daisy
Background is green gloss glaze with yellow and white daisies hand painted on front and back
Butterfly Jewels      [pattern name: Collier]
Exterior glaze: dark matte brown; Interior: pink glaze; Design: yellow, brown, blue and yellow incised butterfly design
Seagull     [pattern name unknown]
Raised seagull design on pale blue satin matte glaze
Fish    [pattern name unknown]
Stylized blue, green, yellow incised fish design
Fish    [pattern name unknown]
Brown matte glaze with blue, yellow, and green glazed fish & bubbles; turquoise interior
Leaf     [pattern name unknown]
Glaze: cream-grey matte with leaf design in yellow, orange, rust and green

A rare historical design, called Fur Trading Post AD 1675, appears as a lone representation of Canada’s history.
♦ Shield-shaped plate
♦ Top: glossy black glaze
♦ Bottom: glossy cream glaze
♦ Top decoration: raised relief style depiction of a fur trading post
♦ Signed on front, ‘Herta’; impressed on bottom, ‘Canada 7140’

Fur Trapper A.D. 1825, numbered 2427
♦ 1970s      [Info provided by J. Quince]
♦ Coffee mug
♦ Exterior: glossy black glaze
♦ Interior: glossy cream glaze
♦ Decoration: raised relief style depiction of a fur trapper with pelt bundles

Canadian Life Series

Inuit Mother & Child 
♦ 1960s      [S. Knudsen]
♦ Figure mounted on walnut base
♦ Exterior: glossy brown glaze

Inuit Fisherman
♦ 1960s
♦ Figure mounted on walnut base
♦ Exterior: matte cream glaze

[NOTE: if anyone has other historical patterns similar to this that may represent a series, then please contact me]

Abstract 50s & 60s Mid-century Modern designs were introduced by Herta in an attempt to capture the modern movement of European design sensibilities. Influenced by West German pottery styles, the following patterns were departures from the tradition Canadian landscape and wildlife designs most collectors are familiar with.
Northern Lights
“The design was greatly influenced by pottery being produced in West Germany at the time such as Marocco by Ruscha, Kongo by Bay, and Ulla by Jopeko.”
“Northern Lights combine abstract sgraffito decoration (scratching through the glazed surface of the vessel before it is fired) with swatches of shiny mottled colour to depict Canada’s natural phenomenon, the Northern Lights.”
Matte black glaze; Exterior decor: slightly raised and painted rectangles and triangles in colours of white, yellow, pink, blue, and green; shapes are connected by white, sgraffito lines; Interior decoration: translucent pink glaze
Mardi Gras
Exterior decor: mottled grey glaze decorated by roughly drawn lines joining almond-shaped ovals in yellow, blue, and brown; Inside glaze: smooth grey glaze
Flamenco
Matte glaze of overlapping circular abstract motifs in rust, green, gold, brown and grey on a light grey background; Exterior is bumpy / pebbly; Smooth matte creamy-grey interior
Orange Mink
Featured in a company brochure produced in the early 1960s, named in brochure as such, even if not named on the piece; Exterior: high gloss glaze in dark brown with red and white foam glaze accents; Interior decor: two abstract chevrons in beige, orange and cream; Exterior glaze has slight metallic sheen, similar to the W. Germany lusterware glazes
Patio (also known as Cracked Shell)
Expressionistic design: sgraffito decoration in a textured black; Crack shell pattern glaze in green, brown and orange; Satin matte greens, browns and orange glaze
Cellini
Exterior: black matte glaze with lemons incised in raised yellow glaze; Interior: gloss turquoise glaze
Vanity Fair
High-gloss black glaze with handpainted daisy-like flowers in pastel yellow, blue, white with green leaves
Mosaic      [pattern name unknown]
Glaze: mottled cream and white matte glaze; Decor: strips of multicoloured mosaics on front and back, like stained glass
Sgraffito design    [pattern name unknown]
Decorated with vertical sgraffito marks; Glazes on various items: brown, green, orange
Sgraffito design (later)      (Sunburst company logo)    [pattern name unknown]
Produced 1967-70 after Herta moved to Sunburst Canada company in Lethbridge; Exterior: blue glaze, body decorated with vertical sgraffito marks
Mottled      [pattern name unknown]
Mottled green & brown glaze – simple pattern

Additional patterns (Collier):

♦ Bamboo                    ♦ Overflow
♦ Carnival                     ♦ Tropical Fish

Other BC Ceramic items have been attributed to Herta, but I cannot say for certainty that they were pieces designed by her. So, for the moment, I will put these patterns on the BC Ceramics page until such time as I see a signed piece in a design, or can make an educated guess that it was decorated by her.

January 2017 —

The son of Walter and Herta Gerz, Arndt Gerz, contacted me with additional information on Herta designs and BC Ceramics, including correcting minor errors in my information. See his comments below. I’m looking forward to adding what info he can provide to this page in the near future.

Arndt Gerz “was still in school in those days [1955], but worked part-time in various departments, including packing/shipping and running the occasional midnight shift operating the tunnel kiln (which ran around the clock).”

February 2019 –

(See Comments by Rudy Marx on the ‘Resurrection’ piece for Pastor Marx’s Church of the Cross Oak St. Vancouver.)

 

Comments

BC Ceramics: Herta — 80 Comments

    • Thank you for the photos. What I can add to my reply to your other comment is that the Inuit pieces title ‘Canadian Life’ would have been made for the lucrative tourist market, depicting the ‘traditional’ Inuit life tourists expected to see. Maria.

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  2. This piece is not mentioned in this list. Can you tell me anything about it? On the bottom of the walnut base it says “Canadian Life by Herta Canada.”

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    • Signe, what a fantastic piece. I know of a Inuit fisherman in this series, but, in general, these Canadian Life figures are quite scarce. I will add the info to the website. Thank you for sharing your photos. Maria.

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  4. I have a beautiful signed Herta piece. #7086
    It has a poinsettia on front and pine bough on the back. It is very large 15” long

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  5. I recently came across the Herta Gertz shield “Fur
    Trading in a thrift store, Love collecting Herta pieces. Not sure what to do with this piece that speaks to a history of colonization….keep, sell, ???

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    • I wanted to upload a picture of the shield but could not reduce the size to fit the page requirements. Help needed if I am to share on this page.

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      • I’m not sure why the image size would be too large. If you can’t resize it, perhaps snap another one using 1:1 ration on your phone or camera, and save it as a jpeg.
        Maria

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    • If you love it, keep it. The fur trade was a large part of Canada’s history – it cannot be erased. What we can do is learn from the past and move on to a brighter future. Of course, if you did want to sell it, that one is a rarer piece and would have some value at retail.
      Maria

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  6. Hello on my last visit to Vancouver I visited
    Oakridge Lutheran Church and was able to see the alter piece displayed on the premises that Herta Gerz created at their factory for the Church of the Cross at the request of Pastor Marx founder. It is the resurrection of Christ originally painted around 1500s and the Gerz BC Ceramic crew painted the scene onto 141 bricks and fired them to great success and dedicated iit to the church. Mounted into a steel framework it stands approx 5ft 10ft. It was their single largest achievement and has existed 65 years.

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  7. A friend in the UK purchased this mug while visiting in the 70’s and would like to know if it is collectable. It is by Herta and depicts Fur Trapper A.D. 1825 numbered 2427

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    • Jenny, your mug is certainly collectible. It is one of the more rare Herta historical designs, part of the same series as the Fur Trading Post AD 1675 piece mentioned on this Herta page. This is fantastic! Thank you for bringing this to my attention so I can add the info to the page. Maria

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    • Sheila, vintage Royal Ariston pieces are interesting examples of mid-century Canadian pottery. They have more historical value and sentimental worth than monetary value. To evaluate current dollar values, do an internet search for Royal Ariston. Vintage Royal Ariston can most likely be found on Etsy marketplace. Check there to determine current value. Note: I do not do online evaluations, and suggest online marketplaces are the best resource for values at any given time.

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  9. Hello, I am having a yard sale tomorrow and was wondering if this dish I have which reads Canada 7107 Hand-decor “Daffodil” by Herta has any value, I would hate to give it away for a dollar if anyone collects her Art. Thank you.

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    • Connie, I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. This website is for research purposed only, so I do not place values on items. I can tell you, however, that there are people who collect Herta ceramics. I hope you had a great yard sale. Maria

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  10. the Gerz’s kiln fired a ” Resurrection ” piece for pastor Marx’s Church of the Cross Oak St. Vancouver. It was fired on many bricks and mounted in a steel frame approx. 6 x 12 ft.behind the alter.A huge challenging undertaking,but great success for the time.{aprox 1955}.I recall the huge anticipation of the red color results of Christ’s clothe to fire correctly. it was a huge project and a huge success artisticly for the Gerz factory.
    The piece took days to fire to great admiration of church members. They put all their heart and soul into their work and I remember going through the factory with my dad pastor Marx to visit and see new pottery they created ..I still cherish a few pieces I have.

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    • Rudy, Wow! This is fantastic information. I knew Herta was a versatile and talented ceramicist, but had no idea she create works such as yours. I would love to see a photo of the piece if you feel it would be appropriate to share. Or, if there is an existing photo or article about the installation, I would be pleased to add that to my Pottery Research page and link it from your comment. Is the piece still in the church? If it is, is it possible to view it? I would love to see it the next time I’m in Vancouver.
      Maria

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      • Maria, I thank you for your response and interest.Pastor Marx founded the first Church of the Cross on Prince Edward And 8th ave. around 1954/55. In german it was called Kreuzgemeinde.The congregation moved up to Church of the Cross on Oak ST.and subsequently the large alter piece and its frame were moved there. I believe I have a photo possibly a newspaper clipping.I will do some searching and be happy to forward info asap . I’m not sure the church is in existence yet.My sister lives in Harrison Hot Springs and can fill in those details.I recall Arndt. Perhaps he can recall the alter piece. It was definitely a masterpiece and I recall the immense suspense and trepidation to get it fired correctly..the motif being the ascension of Jesus arising from the tomb,and his red clothe being the greatest concern. The Gerz factory got it right thankfully. Regards Ruediger{Rudy} Marx Riverview,Florida

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      • Hello Maria, Just checking to see if you got further information I sent you from my memory. Hope it may be of value to you. Thx Rudy Marx Riverview Fl.

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          • Hello Maria.Great to hear back.Ill get busy and see if I have any literature or pictures. Ill be in Vancouver next month with my family and hope to glean more info. regards Rudy Marx

    • I have done a little searching and the name of the renaissance painter is Mattias Gruenewald ca.1470-1528.The original painting was a three piece with a left, center and right panel. The right panel is the portion painted by BC Ceramics.Correction: The Church of the Cross was on 8th and Prince Albert and later moved to Oak st and Cambie. It was renamed Oakridge Lutheran Church and the piece was displayed for many years in their lobby.The church still exists I believe just not as a german congregation any more and has undergone many changes as I am told. As far as the alter piece I am still looking into what happened to it.Ill be looking through my papers for pictures etc.regards Rudy Marx

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  11. I was married in 1969. We received a Herta vase # 2817 It is brown with vertical lines. I was just wondering if these vases are still sold? It is a very nice vase.

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    • Angele, the only market for Herta pieces at this time is the online marketplaces, such as ebay, Etsy or Kijiji. There is no store specializing in Herta items outside of antique stores or malls, flea markets or garage sales. Good luck in your search. Maria

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    • Wendy, Herta patterns were produced between 1955 and 1967. Other BC Ceramic patterns have a longer production range but, from the info I’ve been able to gather, Herta signed pieces were only produced during those few years. Maria.

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  13. We have a vase #2641 that has belonged to my husband since about 1965 (or later), he thinks it may have been in the possession of his parents earlier. Turquoise interior, matte glaze chocolate brown exterior with incised large leaves and twig with small leaves on show side and two small turquoise leaves with small leaves on twigs. He would like to know if we have the age of the vase correct and possibly the value of this vase

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    • Christine, Herta designed wares for BC Ceramics from 1955 to 1967. Your piece is most probably the “Mountain Foliage (or Mountain Leaves)” pattern, but without seeing a pic of the vase, I cannot be sure. The 1965 date fits within the date range for Herta designs; however, if the mark is not the signed Herta mark, then it could have been produced by BC Ceramics, which had a wider date range. As for the value, the best way to determine a price at any given time is to conduct a search for online sales. Begin with a search term like: Herta vase #2641 The focus of this site is research, and I do not do online valuations. Maria

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    • Donna, I do not recognize the pattern as a Herta pattern. And I would need to see the base with the mark to be sure. Would you have a picture of the mark? Maria

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    • Donna, they do look like Herta cups with the black glaze and turquoise interior. But I cannot say for sure without looking at the base mark. If you could supply a picture of the base mark, that would be great. If not, then all I can say is that they ‘resemble’ Herta patterns in the glazes. Maria

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  16. I have this lovely piece that was handed down to me. I have had it for years and just love the quality and design. Thought I would share as was looking here to admire other pieces.

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  17. Hi,
    My name is Brigitte F_____-F_____, my mother and father (Teresa F_____ and Alexander F____) worked for BC Ceramics when they lived in Canada. I have a few pieces of the Mountain Leaves and have a picture of a lamp that would go along with that design. I would love to purchase this lamp, but am having a difficult time locating one to buy. Would you know a dealer or some one who is selling this item?
    I appreciate any feedback.
    Thank you,
    Brigitte

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    • Brigitte, thank you for the information about your parents working at BC Ceramics while in Canada. Is it possible to get more information about their time at the pottery? What years were they working there? Were they potters? painters? designers? retail staff? I would love any additional information to add to this pottery page that you can provide.

      About your lamp request, there were a pair of lamps in brown of the Mountain Leaves pattern for sale in a booth at the Strathcona Antiques Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, but I’ve not seen any for sale in blue. Maybe someone with a lamp or a pair of lamps in blue just like the one you are searching for will find their way to this site. If that is the case, I’d be willing to pass the info along to you. Keeping checking back.

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    • Randy, how interesting. I’ve not heard of a Hera design by Herta, so I think your photo would be very instructional. Thank you. Maria

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  20. From Arndt Gerz —
    Hello,
    I am the son of Walter and Herta Gerz. I just had my first look, ever, at the sites connected to canadapottery.ca. I was quite surprised at all the information available now. However, there may also be some slight errors; in the history of BC Ceramics, I am quite sure that Mr. Leuchte remained as a managing partner/owner with the company far beyond 1955. Your information stated (or at least implied) that my father (and mother) ran the company from 1955. I was still in school in those days, but worked part-time in various departments, including packing/shipping and running the occasional midnight shift operating the tunnel kiln (which ran around the clock). Please contact me if more information might be needed.

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    • This is so great! I have pulled bits and pieces of info from various places but have had no real way of confirming details. I’d love to know everything.
      Maria

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  21. A comment:

    Hi,
    I am interested in knowing more about these ceramic pieces. I have the mold numbers that is on the bottom of the 6 pieces.
    My Father and Mother both worked at BC Ceramic in the early 1960’s. Their names are A. and T. F_____. Would you have any information on them? My father was a sculpture, mold maker and my mother was in the glazing department. How rare are theses pieces? Thank you, Brigitte

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    • Hi Brigitte,

      How interesting that your parents worked for BC Ceramics! This piece was designed by Herta and is called ‘Mountain Leaves’. All of the info I have on BC Ceramics during the Herta days is available at BC Ceramics: Herta.

      Are you looking for other pieces in this pattern? All of the pieces of this pattern that I have are shown in BC Ceramics & Herta Gallery.

      I would love to add the details about your parents, but I would like your permission to add their names to the public site on Herta pottery. I do know that viewers have provided details on various people involved in other potteries on this site and have added to the body of knowledge. Maybe someone will recognize their names and have some info we could add.

      Thank you for sharing your information,
      Maria Haubrich

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  22. Here’s a boomerang shaped “mountain leaves” piece – small dish – In a copperish colored matte glaze with lovely raised leaves in mottled greens, yellows and brownish copper coloring with a glossy glaze. The outer color of the dish is a creamy colored glossy glaze.
    Bottom is marked 7112, HAND-DECOR, “MOUNTAIN LEAVES” , by HERTA, CANADA.

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  23. I don’t know if this is acceptable here but I want two pieces of Flamenco to find the right homes, one is a tall vase 2815 and th other is a lamp, planter lamp I think, no number underneath but similar to one with a stand ( mine does not have)
    If not that is alright I will list on my etsy site. But I would like to offer pictures for archival purposes otherwise.
    Not listed yet on my site as of July 29, 2016
    Thank you,
    Susan Baldwin

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  24. I just found a shallow bowl today at the Goodwill. Lovely quality. I had not heard of the potter before. By the sounds of your descriptions I am guessing it is the design known as ‘patio.’ It is about 12″ in diameter and rings like a bell when flicked for a crack test. Great mid century piece for $2.00. I don’t see where I can add a pic or I would do so.

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    • Herta was the principle designer for the BC Ceramics company for many years. I hope my webpage was helpful to you. Herta pieces are getting quite popular with Canadian pottery collectors.
      Maria

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  25. Hi,
    I have a small vase from BC Ceramics with Herta written on the bottom and the sticker (BC Ceramics) on the front of it. It’s in perfect condition. It’s black on the outside with a really nice floral (in a Fall style) design with turquoise glaze inside the small vase which stands about 8 inches in height and has a very small opening for a spout that is about two and a quarter inches across. Is this worth anything? It was my parents. The bottom has the number 2639 and says Vancouver. I’m in a mode of getting rid of things that I don’t need or use and was curious what it might be worth? I have photos tha I could send.

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    • Hi Gayle,
      Your vases sound lovely. Herta is one of my favourite Canadian pottery designers and her pieces are worth ‘something’. However, not really a lot. The rarer pieces fetch better prices, but the vases are not really rare. I do not do evaluations on this site, but I can certainly add photos in case anyone is interested in them. You can email the photos to westcountryvintage@gmail.com and I will post them with this comment.

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    • Hi Barb. As you can see from the comments here, there are others just like you. If you have photos of your pieces and you’d be willing to share them, I’d love to post them as a gallery collection. Maria.

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  28. I recently acquired a “Northern Lights” Herta Gerz lamp. It came without lampshade and I’ve been unable to find any photos of this lamp with the original shade. Can you tell me what shade would be appropriate for this gorgeous piece?

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    • Hi Julie,
      Wow! Your lamp must be stunning! I’m not aware of a specific shade that went with this pattern. I would think anything in the modernist or ‘atomic-age’ look would be appropriate. I would look for something that would go with one of the secondary decor colours on your piece.
      If anyone out there has a recommendation for Julie, please post a comment.
      Maria

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  29. I have a Herta brown dogwood lamp…approx. 18″ tall ceramic base..are these fairly rare?.. and also 3 or 4 brown dogwood vases…turqoise insides… a local thrift shop has a Herta dogwood bowl.9 or 10 inches across..brown I believe with pink inside..asking $12.95…I was thinking on going back and buying it..I haven’t seen pink inside with the dogwood before! Is that very common? I will send some pics in a day or two…pieces are in a storage room at the moment…
    Herta Dogwood lamp in brown

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    • Hi,
      The dogwood lamps are uncommon, and especially in the brown – black dogwood is more common, I think. As for the bowl, I have seen a cream coloured interior before, but not a pink – I do think that is an unusual colour. I would go back for it, if only because of the pink interior. I’d love to see it – use the upload feature in the comments box for the pics, or send them along to me and I can add them.
      Thanks so much for the info,
      Maria

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      • Went back to see about the pink bowl…but someone snapped it up. Guess I shouldn’t be so cheap!!! $12.95 was too bad! Here’s a shot of my lamp…it’s 18 1/4 to the top of the light switch…and 16″ to the top of the base below the light fixture..7 3/4″ across the base.

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        • Jim, that often happens. And that is not being cheap, especially if you are not sure about a piece – I call it being prudent! I love this lamp! It’s a great find! And a really nice example of Herta ‘Dogwood’.
          Maria

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  30. I have a light blue vase, off-white interior, hand-painted with two flowers on one side and one flower on the other side. The bottom is stamped “Vancouver Canada 2816” and hand printed in white is “Hand decor ‘DOGWOOD’ by Herta. I haven’t been able to find this on your site or others. Is it a legitimate Herta and if so, what would it be worth in used condition? The inside is somewhat discoloured, which is why I said it was used.
    Herta Dogwood blue vase side 1 Herta Dogwood blue vase side 2 Herta Dogwood blue vase base

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    • Hi Janet,
      It is most likely a Herta vase, but I would need to see a picture of it to be sure. I would love to see it – Herta is one of my favourite potteries and I’m always interested in new shapes and patterns I haven’t seen before.
      I do not do valuations here, so can’t say what it will be worth. Contact me again with your picture, and permission to add it to my page and I will post it for comments.

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      • Re: Herta blue ceramic vase with hand-painted dogwoods: You may have to tell me how to copy the pictures here. I’ve tried a couple of times and I seem to be unable to attach them here.

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        • Janet is looking for information on what the Herta Dogwood blue vase is worth – if you are interested in this piece, please reply to Janet’s post.

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          • Is this about the pictures of the powder blue Herta dogwood vase? I sent them once before but I have better shots now.

  31. Regarding Herta’s Canadian Wildlife Series: penguins are southern hemisphere birds. Their northern equivalent are the Auks so I suggest auk rather than penguin.
    John

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    • Hi John,
      I will certainly research the northern Auk. I’m not sure if it is assumed the pattern name is ‘Penguin’ or if Herta actually titled the piece ‘Penguin’. Anyone out there have a piece by Herta of the Canadian Wildlife Series ‘Penguin’ or Auk? I wouldn’t mind seeing the mark on this pattern if there is one or, conversely, if there is no mark, I would identify the piece as an ‘Auk’.
      Thanks for your information, John.
      Maria

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      • Hi John, I have a 1961 Canadian Wild Life Series by Herta. It is a penguin beyond doubt, although there is no animal name on the piece. The base is marked as solid walnut and the all-white figurine is standing on ice. I hope this helps. If you have any idea of value I’d be happy to know. Cam

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  32. I have a Canada vase 2642 hand decore by Herta..inside aqua outside brn/blk dogwood flower..I have been unable to find any thing about this please send me any help Thankyou

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    • Hi Marlene. It certainly sounds like the Herta vase I have on this website – Check the slide gallery of images for Item #5a-e, mould #7109 – it has similar characteristics as your vase in that it has a aqua interior with black exterior and a dogwood flower. I would say this website has the most information on Herta. Please look at the additional resources section on ‘BC Ceramics: Herta’ on the left navigation side. Here is a link: Additional Resources
      Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with,
      Maria Haubrich

      Reply ↓

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