Marei Keramik was a German ceramics manufacturer based in Rheinbach, near Bonn, whose output ranged from plant pots to richly decorated vases, jugs and wall ceramics. The Marei name was drawn from Majolikafabrik Rheinbach, part of the family company’s longer name, Majolikafabrik Rheinbach Jean Fuss & Sohn.

Its roots lay in the earlier Fuss & Emons pottery business. When Jean Fuss and Josef Emons separated in the late 1940s, the two branches developed as Marei and ES Keramik. Collector histories variously date this separation to 1948 or 1949, so Marei’s beginnings are better understood as a post-war reorganisation of an established pottery rather than the creation of an entirely new workshop.

Early production concentrated on flowerpots and vases with relatively simple surface decoration. During the post-war ceramics boom, the factory modernised its equipment and expanded its decorative range. Wolfgang Bruchhausen joined the family business in 1957 and later took over its management. Designer Bodo Mans also worked for Marei during the late 1950s, before his longer association with Bay Keramik.

The 1960s and 1970s were an important period for Marei’s decorative ceramics. Bold forms and contrasting surface treatments place much of this work within the broad collecting field of West German art pottery, often described as Fat Lava. Its catalogue was more varied than that label alone suggests, encompassing both strongly textured finishes and more controlled painted or relief decoration.

Documented decors include Brügge, Capri and Kolibri, the last recorded in production in 1973 and often called “snakeskin” by collectors. Other names include Kuba, Lava and the floral wall-plate series Flora. Because form numbers and decor names could be reused, surviving labels and period catalogues are valuable identification evidence; similarity to another German factory’s work is not sufficient on its own.

Marei’s history continued well beyond the mid-century period. The later business specialised in plant pots and sold across Europe, combining automated serial production with traditional decorative techniques. The Rheinbach company entered insolvency proceedings in February 2017, a much later ending than the vintage character of its best-known decorative wares might suggest.

Explore the Marei company history here and decor reference here, with contemporary reporting on the later Rheinbach business here.