1850/52~2005

(Note; this companies items were for many years known to collectors as “Hoy Töpferei”, mis reading “Hey” for “Hoy” on the base signatures.)

Officially founded in 1850/52 (old adverts show 1952, but a later label shows 1850) in Tschöpeln (re named to Töpferstedt in 1936, as part of the Germanization of Slavic village names), though it may have unofficially operated prior to these dates in Muskau (just 10km from Tschöpeln).

Pottery dominated the small village of Töpferstedt, Heyne was one of many that were based there (in 1936 there were nine potteries, the village had a population of just ~330). Heyne employed up to 50 people in Töpferstedt. The village had deposits of white and light grey clay.

Following the end of WWII the Heyne Family re-located from what was now communist Polish territory (Töpferstedt was renamed to Czaple) to Oer-Erkenschwick (Esseler Str. 2, 45739 Oer-Erkenschwick, near Recklinghausen).

Christine Heyne, the daughter, started a new firm there, together with her aunt Meta. This company was not as big as the former company. Christine married a Mr.Bellers and Hans, their son, was the last master potter there when the company closed in 2005.

All their items are hand made studio items and not molded. They are made in a rustic way and are generally much heavier than molded or more finely made studio ware. A blue bright blue matt glaze was predominately used though they can are also be found with bright red, orange and yellow glazes.

Production must have been relatively prolific due to the number of their vases that have been found, though not to the mass production levels of the major West German pottery manufacturers.