Ditmar Urbach Pitcher – Czechoslovakia – Hand-painted Ceramic

This vintage pitcher is an authentic piece of Ditmar Urbach art pottery, hand-painted in Czechoslovakia during the Art Deco period, specifically the late 1920s to 1930s. It stands 6.5″ tall and is in good condition with normal crazing for its age. Please view the images and this video and do not hesitate to ask questions.

Pattern: Often identified by collectors as the “Bern” (or Berne) pattern.

Motif: Features vibrant, embossed (raised-relief) fruit motifs including red-purple grapes, oranges, and pears surrounded by lush green foliage.

Color Palette: Characterized by bold, high-contrast colors typical of the era, such as a striking cobalt blue handle and rim, and warm yellow and orange tones on a cream-white glazed body.

Art Deco Details: Includes a stylized black “thorny” band around the top and a sharp, angular handle that reflects the geometric modernist aesthetics of the time.

Historical Context
Ditmar Urbach was a leading Czechoslovakian ceramic producer formed by a 1910 merger of the Ditmar and Urbach brothers’ firms. Most pieces from this “fruit” series were mass-produced in molds and then hand-finished, meaning small paint variations may exist between individual pitchers. The factory’s output was highly regarded for its “utilitarian pottery in extremely colorful glazes” intended for export.

Identification Marks
On the bottom, these pitchers typically bear a printed backstamp that reads “Ditmar Urbach Made in Czechoslovakia, Hand-painted” with a star, circle-T, and wing while accompanied by an incised mold number or the “Bern” pattern name.