Knodgen ceramic

The company was founded in 1892 by Jacob Leopold Knödgen in Ransbach Germany.
It was then called: ‘Erste Ransbacher Feinsteinzeug-Fabrik J.L. Knödgen’ Typical ‘Westerwälder’ products were made such as beer jars, wine jugs and bowls.

Between the two world wars, production was switched to ceramics for use. In 1936, Richard Knödgen took over the company.
From this time until 1965, the acronym ‘Ilkra’ was used. Both spellings ‘Ilkra’ or ‘Jlkra’ are documented and stand for Jacob Leopold Knödgen in Ransbach.
After the Second World War, the production of decorative ceramics was resumed and the range was further expanded.
After 1955, mainly vases were produced that stand out because of their shape and glaze. The designers from that time are Ernst Werner (son-in-law of Richard Knödgen), Josef Koch and Edmund Peter.
In 1969 Richard Knödgen died and his son Leo took over the company. During the late 1960s, the demand for decorative ceramics declined and people switched to the production of plant pots.
​Ilkra has also produced separate series of vases for Riffarth.