Vintage West German Berry Jam Pot in Lilac

A vintage West German ceramic berry jam pot in lilac. A little berry for the breakfast table. It is moulded as a plump lilac fruit, every drupelet picked out in the glaze so the light catches it like a bramble after rain, and the lid is crowned with a looped green stalk and a ring of leaves that sit softly against the purple.

On the base is the stamp Made in Western Germany, printed in green with a painted number beneath. That wording is generally linked to the early post war years, before West Germany became the usual mark on German pottery exports, which makes it an appealing find for anyone who collects mid century German ceramics. Novelty fruit preserve pots were hugely popular across Europe in the decades that followed, and they still bring a cheerful bit of colour to the table.

The pot measures 9cm in diameter and stands 11cm tall with its lid. A neat notch in the lid leaves room for a jam spoon, so it can sit out at breakfast without the lid having to come off. Inside it is glazed in clean cream, ideal for jam, honey, marmalade or sugar, and it would work just as well on a dressing table for rings and hair grips or on a desk for paper clips.

Lilac is having a moment in interiors, and this little pot looks lovely beside pale greens, soft greys and white china, or grouped with other fruit shaped ceramics on a cottagey kitchen shelf. It would make a sweet gift for a jam maker, someone who loves a pretty breakfast table, or anyone with a soft spot for purple.

The glaze is bright with a good shine. As you would expect from a piece of this age, there is light wear and some marking to the unglazed foot ring underneath, which doesn't show when the pot is on display.

Have a look at the rest of our vintage tableware for more pieces to set a cheerful table.