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TÖPFEREIMUSEUM

The Pottery Museum is located in the house of the Eiling pottery family, which dates back to 1678. The pottery family owned furniture from the turn of the 19th to the 20th century, it shows the living situation of the pottery family at that time. There were 23 pottery factories in Ochtrup at that time.

Divided into several exhibition units, the museum offers an interesting overview of the work of local potteries in past centuries. The oldest objects date from the 14th and 15th centuries, including black pottery made in field fires.

The museum offers visitors additional information through films that give an overview of the history of pottery in Ochtrup. In addition to the permanent exhibition, special exhibitions of modern ceramics take place regularly as a contrast to the historical exhibitions.

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TÖPFEREIMUSEUM
TÖPFEREIMUSEUM
Töpferstraße 10
48607 Ochtrup
KREIS STEINFURT
Duitsland

History

Ochtrup is known as a pottery town far beyond the borders of the Münsterland region and a town with a long history. Traditionally, the local population was oriented towards agriculture. In addition, people were engaged in pottery production and house weaving. Toward the end of the 16th century, a heavy, bloody battle took place between Bentheimer and Gildehauser farmers against citizens from Ochtrup. There was a dispute over the "Brechte," a previously neglected wasteland with rich clay deposits. During this time the development of Ochtrup pottery probably began. The heyday of pottery was in the 18th and first half of the 19th century. Around 1800 there were 23 pottery factories in Ochtrup.

 

Pöttkerspättken and Kiepenkerle

The pottery business included not only the production, but also the sale of their products. Already in the 17th century, Ochtrup pottery was sold in the wide vicinity of Ochtrup. As early as 1668 the Ochtrup potters exported their bowls, pots, jugs, nuggets and "nightingales" to neighboring Holland. Subsequently, the Münsterland, Emsland, Holland and the (Hanoverian) border region of Lower Saxony became the most important sales areas. The so-called "Kiepenkerle" or "Pottkerle" were known inland. On their well-trodden paths, the "Pöttkerspättken," they walked with their boxes from village to village and farm to farm.

The last pottery still in production in Ochtrup, where the traditional setting of the Ochtrup pottery is still made, is run by the potter Lisa Eiling in her workshop at the Ochtrup train station.

Especially popular and world-famous is the "Ochtruper Nachtigall," a flute filled with water that looks amazingly like the song of a nightingale. Flute figures and flutes were made by potters all over the world as children's toys.

 

Former residence, now museum

In 1989, the city of Ochtrup bought the 1678 house of the Eiling pottery family to use as a museum building. The pottery family owned furniture from the turn of the century. The ceramic exhibits are from the collection of the city of Ochtrup.

The living area of the potter's house is furnished in the style of the turn of the century and shows the living situation of the potter's family at that time. By examining wall and wood paints, it was possible to determine what changes the rooms had undergone in about 150 years. A prepared wall cutout documents the many colors applied to the walls.

The museum is divided into several exhibition rooms. On display are ceramic objects from different periods.

 

About plates, pots and bowls

A plate painted with a horn and a bowl from a find in Zwolle - dating from 1700 - are evidence of the Ochtrup potters' early trade with neighboring Holland. Decorative bowls, pancake plates, kitchen utensils and flower pots from two centuries reveal the wide range of pottery production in Ochtrup. Typical of these items is horn painting, common in Central Europe since the Renaissance.

Blue and white ceramics are a specialty of Ochtrup pottery and have been produced since the beginning of the 20th century. Some of these objects are artistically painted and reflect the talent of some of the ceramists working in Ochtrup. Grapes and pots from the 18th century show in their simple design the kitchen equipment of this time (find from excavations).

In the 19th century, pottery production experienced a serious decline. The advent of enamel and aluminum tableware pushed pottery out of the market. The museum illustrates this decline through the example of a kitchen scene from this period. Attempts were made to revive the pottery trade, and the city government sent some pottery apprentices to ceramic schools. They had to apply new forms, decorations and glazes in pottery making. A display case with vases from a period of about 90 years shows the many innovation attempts of Ochtrup potters.

(sources: ochtrup.de, vwo-ochtrup.de)
 

Admission:For details see website
Access for persons with disabilities:For details see website