Herman Kahler

Background

Kähler was the son of Joachim Christian Herman Kähler (1808-1884) from the Duchy of Holstein who established a pottery workshop in Næstved in 1839.

Education

Herman attended the Technical School in Copenhagen (1864-1865) while studying privately under Herman Wilhelm Bissen.

Career

Thereafter he travelled to Germany, Switzerland and Paris, returning to Næstved at the end of 1867. Carl became responsible for producing faiance while Herman specialized in manufacturing tiled stoves. In 1875, after Carl withdrew, Herman built a new factory on the town"s outskirts where he produced both stoves and pottery.

As a result of his collaboration with the artist Vilhelm Klein, Kähler became interested in obtaining the red lustre glaze known as maiolica which had been produced in Gubbio, Italy, in the 16th century.

In 1888 he succeeded, developing the now famous ruby glaze known as Kähler red. The designer Karl Hansen Reistrup (1863–1929) soon joined the enterprise, assisting in the production of finely formed, artistically decorated items, especially vases.

A number of other artists began to design items for the Kähler factory, including Thorvald Bindesbøll, H. A. Brendekilde, Los Angeles Ring and Svend Hammershøi. Their contributions further enhanced the firm"s international success.

Kähler died in Næstved in 1917.

Achievements

• Thanks to Reistrup"s designs, Kähler"s ceramics achieved considerable success both at the Great Nordic Exhibition held in Copenhagen in 1888 and at the Exposition Universelle held the following year in Paris.