Sculptor and potter Alfred Ehlers was born in Wechselburg, Germany, in 1888. He studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin and in Rome, excelling in sculpture and ceramics and becoming known for his architectural ceramics in 1920s Berlin. In 1933, given his opposition to National Socialism, he fled Nazi Germany, first for Majorca, before eventually settling in London. He later established Ehlers Pottery, in Devon, producing domestic tableware, lustreware, and innovative ceramics.
Sculptor and potter Alfred Ehlers was born in Wechselburg, Germany, on 31 July 1888. Raised by Protestant parents, Ehlers attended high school in Bautzen before moving to Berlin at the age of eighteen. He enrolled at the Royal Academy of Arts in Charlottenburg, where he studied under prominent figures, such as Julius Ehrentraut and Max Friedrich Koch. During his time there, he displayed remarkable talent, winning prizes for his sculpture and becoming a skilled engraver. Notably, one of his etchings was purchased by Max Lieberman, the leading German Impressionist of the day, signalling early recognition of his work.
Ehlers' artistic journey was enriched by his growing interest in ceramics. His first hands-on experience with clay came during a summer working with a peasant potter in Mecklenburg. He later attended lectures by Professor Theo Schmuz-Baudis, who influenced Ehlers’ path towards ceramics. Ehlers also spent time studying in Rome, furthering his skills in sculpture and ceramics. Returning to Berlin, he took on teaching roles, while continuing to work as a sculptor and ceramist. He gained international recognition in 1927 when he and Otto Douglas-Hill successfully exhibited their work at the International Delle Arti Decorative in Monza, Italy.
By the 1920s, Ehlers was known for his work in architectural ceramics, completing several high-profile commissions in Berlin, including the Haus des Rundfunks and Europahaus. His ceramics firm, Steingutfabriken Velten-Vordamm, was central to these projects, producing figural ceramics for the Elias-Kuppelsaal, among other works. However, his life changed dramatically in 1933 with the rise of Nazism. Due to his opposition to National Socialism and his association with Jewish friends and family, Ehlers was excluded from German artistic unions. In response, he relocated to Mallorca with his fiancée, Lily Kretschmann, his former student. When the Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936, Ehlers was forced to flee to Paris, where he lived in poverty. The same year, with the help of charitable organisations, such as the Quaker Germany Emergency Committee, he secured a visa to move to Britain. Arriving in Folkestone in December 1936, Ehlers settled in London. His first wife, Alice, and several other German émigré friends, including the architect Erich Mendelsohn, were already in England and likely provided some support during this difficult transition. In London, Ehlers continued his artistic work, establishing a small ceramic workshop, Ehlers Studios, where he produced pottery and sculptures. He also collaborated with fellow émigré, Fritz Lampl at the Bimini glass-blowing workshop, which employed Lucie Rie and Hans Coper, among other refugees. However, in early summer 1940, after the outbreak of the Second World War, and the implementing of the government's policy of mass internment for so-called 'enemy aliens', Ehlers was interned at the Race Course Aliens' Camp in York. He was released on health grounds later that summer due to his deteriorating condition, marked by the onset of emphysema.
After the war, in 1946, Ehlers moved to Devon to improve his declining health. There, he set up Ehlers Pottery in Bovey Tracey, producing domestic tableware alongside his daughter, Marion. His expertise in glaze chemistry was particularly noted, and his studio produced a wide range of pottery, including lustreware and tableware. Despite his poor health, Ehlers maintained an active role in overseeing the pottery's production and design, while Marion, who had learned the craft under his guidance, increasingly managed the workshop. Though his physical involvement was limited, Ehlers continued to design shapes and supervise the work, ensuring his high standards were maintained. Alfred Ehlers died in Devon, England on 12 January 1956. His work is not currently represented in UK public collections.
Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Alfred Ehlers]
Publications related to [Alfred Ehlers] in the Ben Uri Library