Pair of W. Goebel Retro Ceramic Salt and Pepper Shakers c.1970s

This is a pair of good quality German ceramic salt and pepper shakers by W. Goebel.

Each shaker has a rounded upper portion that tapers in to form a waist before flaring out again and forming a cylindrical body. Approximately three-quarters of the way down it steps out to a short cylindrical base.

The top and just above the base are glazed with a streaky brown. The centre is transfer printed with a design consisting of stylised flowers, grapes and vine leaves bordered above and below by a wavy line.

One piece is marked ‘S’ and the other ‘P’. The salt shaker has three pierced holes in the top and the pepper shaker has one.

The base is slightly domed with a central hole. This is plugged with a plastic bung. Each piece is marked with the words ‘W. GOEBEL W. GERMANY’. I believe this mark was in use from the 1960s to 1970s.

They each have a maximum height of approximately 15.8cm and a diameter across the base of about 4.6cm.

They are in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks, although there is some wear to each bung where it has been removed over the years. However, it still provides an effective seal.