Lervis - retailer of clay from Witgert
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At Lervis, we always strive to offer high-quality clay, which is why we are pleased to be a retailer of clay from the German company Arno Witgert – a producer that has set the standard for what high-quality stoneware and earthenware clay truly means for over 200 years.
Witgert – Tradition from the Westerwald since 1820
The history of Witgert began back in 1820 in the Westerwald area of Germany, a region world-renowned for its unique and high-quality clay deposits. Today, the company is run by the eighth generation of the same family, making them the oldest operating mining company in the region.
What makes Witgert special is not just their long history, but their way of combining traditional mining with modern precision. They control the entire chain – from their own open-cast mines to the finished, vacuum-packed clay. This guarantees extremely high purity and consistent quality that we potters can rely on, firing after firing.
Production with a focus on quality
Witgert processes approximately 150,000 tons of raw material each year. Through advanced methods such as wet preparation, they manage to remove impurities in a natural way, resulting in clay with fantastic plasticity (moldability). Whether you are throwing thinly or building large pieces, you notice the difference in how the clay responds to your hands.
A greener future: Witgert Green Body
Wigert is known for its active environmental work. They have developed "Green Body," which is seen as one of the most sustainable alternatives on the market. It is produced entirely without thermal energy (no oil or gas drying) and is largely powered by their own solar power plant. In addition, secondary raw materials are used to conserve the earth's resources. With the next order, Lervis will bring in and test Green Body.
Lervis' current selection from Witgert
We have just received a large shipment with lots of fine clay. Here you will find several characterful colored clays. We have brought in a few to test and have some favorites, like Salt & Pepper and Anthracite, which are essential clays in the Lervis assortment.
31 Salt & Pepper
A beautiful and characterful sandy clay with a natural contrast between light and dark grog. 25% grog 0.0-0.5mm. The clay gets a lively surface in a beige/brown-grey tone with small specks that resemble freshly ground pepper. Equivalent to WMS2002GG.
Applications: Salt & Pepper is a robust and shape-stable clay that is well-suited for both throwing and slab building. Suitable for both professional and hobby potters.
Firing range: 1000–1250 °C
116 Anthracite, without grog & 116 sf Anthracite, with grog
A beautiful grey-firing clay that is available both with and without grog. The higher the clay is fired, the darker the color becomes.
Applications: A very fine grey clay that is perfect for throwing.
Firing temperature: 1000-1300°C
27 Black Stone & 28 Red Stone
Powerful and characterful sculpting clays with a distinct texture. Black Stone contains both black and white grog that appear beautifully when the surface is washed or thinly glazed. It fires in shades from light grey to dark grey and gets a stone-like, natural expression.
Red Stone contains black grog and fires from red to reddish-purple. Both contain 25% grog 0.5–2 mm.
Applications: The clays are ideal for sculpture, modeling, and hand-building techniques.
Firing range: 1000–1250 °C.
15 Cream-colored lava clay Py-g
15 Py-G from Wigert is a cream-colored lava clay that is fantastic in reduction firing. A beautiful cream-firing clay with lava specks and without grog. Some of you may have gotten to know this clay at Kapellgården.
Applications: A very fine clay that is perfect for throwing.
Firing temperature: 1000-1280°C
9s Black earthenware clay
9s extra Schwarz is a beautiful black earthenware clay with 25% grog 0-1mm. The higher the clay is fired, the blacker the color becomes.
Applications: A very fine black clay that is suitable for sculpture and coiling. Can also be thrown by those who can handle coarser grog.
Firing temperature: Max 1200°C