sticker name |
clay red black white |
bottom mould line |
way of numbering |
decor glaze |
other factories |
Prosman | Jopeko | Walther Becht | Afina Rijnsburg | unknown |
Prosman Pottenbakkerij Sint Philipsland |
On the left is a Prosman jug with a large number of Vest characteristics. Similarities are: the brown color, the shiny inside, the flat, white bottom with an obliquely cut edge, a stamped number TK 20 and three round green felt pads.
Yet this TK20 jug is not made by Vest because the glaze is much too smooth and the ridges too flat. The ridges run evenly and not in a spiral. Click on the photo to see it better.
The differences in glaze and ridges / rings can also be seen on the photo on the right. The two models are not the same size, but they are very similar. The left (L2) is Vest and the right (V11) is Prosman.
Below is an overview of the models and glazes of Prosman. This overview is not complete, new models are still being found.
Jopeko West Germany |
Jopeko made rectangular block vases with one hole, among other things. Some of these vases are cast with white clay. They have a flat bottom without number and therefore resemble Vest. On the right photo you can compare Vest (left) and Jopeko (right).
The differences are small:
- The Jopeko models are slightly larger and the holes sometimes smaller. This can only be seen if you can put them next to each other.
- The Jopeko models are more rounded at the corners. This is especially visible at the bottom. Moreover, the bottom at Jopeko is much smoother.
- With Vest the edges of the bottom are usually cut angled, with Jopeko this is never the case. See photo below.
The other Jopeko models can be recognized more easily. They have a bottom with a raised edge and numbers that consist of two numbers. The second number indicates the height in cm. For example, below there is the number 7202-12 in the bottom of the right vase with green glaze . Vest has a similar model (N10).
Jopeko vases often have all kinds of brightly colored glazes. They also made lava glazes such as Paris and Alaska. These vases are confused sometimes with those of Vest.
Walther Becht / Oberhessische Keramik - West Germany |
Furthermore, you can easily recognize Walther Becht vases by the glazes that strongly differ from those of Vest. This can be clearly seen on the photos below. Yet they are still offered on Etsy and eBay as a rare Vest Keramiek. See also examples on the homepage.
Afina Rijnsburg |
A few times a vase has been made with a flat bottom and casting seam. These vases clearly have no glaze from Vest.
unknown factories |
The model in the right (with a Duif's sticker) used to be offered as a Vest. The vase resembles Vest keramiek because the bottom is flat with a casting seam. The model also looks like Vest vases with a hole. Other characteristics of Vest (such as the glaze, angled cut edge of the bottom) are not present. The maker is still unknown.
Identification based only on the model is often incorrect. Below are two examples.
The two vases on the right differ in size (5 cm). Both vases, however, have a model (F40) from Vest and a glaze used by van Woerden.
Possible explanations for the difference in size:
- More size of this model are made by Vest. This is not the case according to Hugo van Woerden.
- Vases can sometimes have a slight difference in size. This is because the different clays do not all shrink the same. However, a difference of 5 cm due to shrinkage is too large for a correct explanation.
- When turning by hand, one vase may be larger than the other. If it is turned by hand, you can see a hand spiral on the inside and bottom. This was not the case.
The left vase has been copied by Gemovers in Nieuwkoop. Gemovers used Vest's recipes and models without their permission.
(source: Hugo van Woerden)
Example 2
On the photo on the left are two jugs with the same model. The right jug is from an unknown factory and the left jug (with a Vest sticker) is made by Vest. They have the same model, but have not the same size.
You can see on the bottom that the unknown vase is not a Vest.
The bottom is not flat, but has a clear raised edge (stand ring).
A bottom with stand ring sometimes also occurs with Vest, but only in combination with a casted number and white clay.
Prosman | Jopeko | Walther Becht | Afina Rijnsburg | unknown |