Ceramics by de Velde can be traced back to 1901/02, when he created the first designs for stoneware manufacturers in the Westerwald on behalf of the Prussian Ministry of Commerce. Earlier works have not yet been documented. In Weimar, ceramics became an important area of focus for the artist starting in 1902, in his new role as a consultant for industry and applied arts in the Grand Duchy of Saxony-Weimar. He provided intensive advice to the pottery workshops in nearby Bürgel, as well as to the porcelain manufacturers in Ilmenau and Jena-Burgau. From 1903 onwards, he also designed several models for fine tableware for the Royal Manufactory in Meissen. Like carpet weaving, ceramics became a subject of instruction in van de Velde's new school of applied arts in Weimar starting in 1907/08, although his applied arts seminar had already been involved in production prior to that.