Karl Hofmann Works

Karl Hofmann
Widely traveled, the Hofmanns bring many influences to their pottery, from the Meissen porcelain & folk pottery that decorated Karl’s childhood home in Germany to the wedging & throwing techniques he observed in Japan. As well as being functional & beautiful, their pottery carries its own spirit. The Hofmanns believe that each pot should have a life force of its own that breathes vitality & excitement into the form.
Karl & Mary met while working on MA degrees in art at Michigan State University. Karl continued his studies at Columbia University & received an MFA degree in ceramics & sculpture from Ohio State University. Mary received an MA degree from Michigan State University in painting & art history. She has had work exhibited in the National Serigraphic Society show. Karl has taught & given workshops, served as a juror & participated in juried shows throughout the United States. The Hofmanns’ pottery is in private collections throughout the US & Europe.
Careful Use will Make Your Pottery Last Longer.
All of this pottery is lead-free & dishwasher-safe.  Bowls, casseroles & cookware are microwave & oven safe.* A little extra care will prolong their lives & your enjoyment.
*Plates & platters should not be used in the oven or microwave.
If they are to be used for serving extremely hot food, they must be preheated with hot tap water to avoid abrupt temperature change.
Please observe the following precautions:
Avoid abrupt temperature changes.
•Don’t put pottery directly into a preheated oven.  Allow a room-temperature pot to heat up gradually with the oven.  Use a moderate temperature (up to 350 degrees).
•When using the microwave, be sure the pot is at least half full of food & use a moderate setting.
•Once the pottery is heated, avoid setting it on any cold, hard surface.
• Pottery is not flame-proof; do not use it over a stove burner, a candle warmer, or under a broiler.
• Allow refrigerated pottery to come to room temperature gradually.  Do not use pottery for defrosting food or freezing.
•Teapots, baking dishes & casseroles should be preheated with hot tap water.
Handle with care
• Be careful not to hit the edges of the pottery together, they can chip.
•Silverware may mark some matte glazes.  This can be easily removed with a little scouring powder.