California pottery
Pottery industry in state of California
California pottery includes industrial, commercial, and decorative pottery produced in the Northern California and Southern California regions of the U.S. state of California . Production includes brick , sewer pipe , architectural terra cotta , tile , garden ware, tableware , kitchenware , art ware , figurines , giftware , and ceramics for industrial use . Ceramics include terra cotta , earthenware , porcelain , and stoneware products.
Ceramic Originals by Freeman-Leidy, crane figurine .
Key milestones in the history of California pottery include: the arrival of Spanish settlers, the advent of statehood and subsequent population growth, the arts and crafts movement , Great Depression , World War II era and the post-WWII onslaught of low-priced imports leading to a steep decline in the number of California potteries. California potters large and small have left a legacy of tableware design, collectibles, art, and architecture.
History
Tile has been a favorite building material in California since the early Spanish settled the area and brought with them the tradition of using brightly colored tiles in architecture. Helen Stiles, author of numerous books on the history of pottery, noted that Spanish , Mexican , and Chinese design of the 17th and 18th centuries all influenced the decoration of tile and other pottery in California.[1]
As people moved into California after statehood in 1848, the demand for ceramic products grew exponentially. Buildings needed roofs, floors, and sewer pipes. The ceramic industry grew as the demand increased. The "Golden Era in tile making"[2] and art pottery , influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement , was around 1910. Architect Julia Morgan used tiles to adorn her buildings, including the Hearst Castle in the 1920s.
The most active period for the production of household ceramics including tableware, kitchenware, giftware, and art ware was from the 1930s through the 1960s.[citation needed ] The major area of U.S. household ceramics production was in the Los Angeles basin .[citation needed ] Around Los Angeles there were over 300 producers of figurines. Next in size was the Trenton area, followed by East Liverpool , and a few in the middle west, such as Ceramic Arts Studio , Red Wing Pottery and Haeger Potteries .[3]
The period around World War II saw the greatest growth for the U.S. ceramic industry.[citation needed ] With imports cut off from European and Asian markets, small family-owned and larger potteries stepped in to fill the need for ceramic giftware and tableware throughout the United States. By 1948, "the peak year for the industry, over eight hundred ceramic concerns were in operation throughout California."[4]
With sunlight year round, an abundance of raw materials, and relatively inexpensive natural gas, California became competitive with centers of ceramic production such as the "Pottery Capital of the World" East Liverpool, Ohio , and Stoke-on-Trent , Staffordshire , England .
In the 1950s, favorable trade agreements toward Asian countries contributed to a flood of competitively priced ceramic wares entering the United States market. Only a fraction of California potteries survived this competition through the early 1960s. As of 2023, only a few are still in business.
"Big Five" California potteries
The "Big Five"[5] California potteries, from the 1930s to the 1960s in reference to the range of products and output, were Vernon Kilns , J.A. Bauer Pottery , Metlox Potteries , Pacific Clay Products , and Gladding, McBean & Co . All of the "Big Five" potteries operated production facilities in the Los Angeles Basin . Gladding, McBean & Co. grew from one factory manufacturing sewer pipe and architectural terra cotta in Lincoln, California, to factories throughout California and the Pacific Northwest . Vernon Kilns closed in 1958, J.A. Bauer in 1962, and Metlox in 1988. The former Gladding, McBean & Co.'s Franciscan tableware and tile factory in Los Angeles was bought by Wedgwood from the Interpace corporation in 1979. Wedgwood closed the Franciscan Ceramics plant in 1984, moving production of the Franciscan tableware brands to England. The former Gladding, McBean & Co.'s Lincoln factory was purchased by Pacific Coast Building Products in 1976 and continues to produce sewer pipe, architectural terra cotta, and terra cotta garden ware. Pacific Clay Products discontinued manufacturing tableware, art ware, and figurines in 1942. Pacific Clay Products continues to manufacture sewer pipe.
Big Five potteries table
To use the sortable tables: click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.
Pottery
Location(s)
Dates
Tradename(s) / Products
J.A. Bauer Pottery
Los Angeles
1909–1962
Flower pots, crocks, jugs, tableware, garden ware, & art ware
[4]
Gladding, McBean & Co. , Lincoln plant (Interpace after 1962 and Pacific Coast Building Products after 1976))
Lincoln
1875–present
Sewer pipe, roof tiles, architectural terra cotta, paver tiles & garden ware
[6]
Gladding, McBean & Co. , Glendale plant (Interpace after 1962, and Franciscan Ceramics, Inc. after 1979)
Los Angeles
1923–1984
"Franciscan " "Catalina Pottery" tableware, kitchenware, art ware & "Hermosa" tile
[4]
Metlox Manufacturing Company
Manhattan Beach
1927–1988
Tableware, giftware, kitchenware, cookie jars, figurines & art ware
[7]
Pacific Clay Products
Los Angeles
1916–present
Sewer pipe. From 1932 to 1942: "Pacific Pottery" tableware, kitchenware, art ware & figurines. From 1943–present: brick & pavers
[8]
Vernon Kilns
Vernon
1931–1958
Tableware, art ware, & figurines
[9]
Potteries of California
Northern California
Geographically, see Northern California .
To use the sortable tables: click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.
Pottery
Location(s)
Dates
Tradename(s) / Products
Arequipa Pottery
Fairfax
1911–1918
Art pottery
[2] [10]
Billie Vier
Berkeley
1940s
Figurines
[11]
California Art Tile Company (Cal Art)
Richmond
1923–1964
Tile
[2]
California Faience (The Tile Shop before 1924)
Berkeley
1915–1959
Art pottery & tile
[2] [12]
California Pottery Company
Oakland, Niles , Merced
1873–1929
Pipe, roof tile, utilitarian pottery, crockery , & garden ware
[13]
California Ra-Art
Richmond
1930s
Art ware & figurines
[11]
Camp Del Mar Pottery
Capitola
late 1940s-early 1950s
"Campo" tableware & art ware
[14]
Carnegie Brick and Pottery Company Pottery plant
Tesla , California
1903-1911
Figurines, art pottery, vases, urns, clay pipes
[15]
Chase Originals (Adele Chase)
Berkeley
1930s-1950s
Art ware & figurines
[11]
Environmental Ceramics, Inc.
San Francisco
1960s
Kitchenware
[16]
Evans Ceramics Inc.
Healdsburg
1974-
Art ware & cookware
[14]
Garden City Pottery Company
San Jose
1902–1979
Crockery , tableware, art ware, garden ware & kitchenware
[17]
Gladding Ceramic Insulator Company, Inc.
San Jose
1924-
Tile. "Gladco" insulators after 1964
[14]
Heath Ceramics
Sausalito
1948–present
Tableware & art ware
Handcraft Tile (San Jose Tile before 1931)
Topanga
1926–present
Tile
[18]
Hans Sumpf Company
Madera
1939–2006
Garden ware & architectural wall surfaces
[19]
Homer Knowles Pottery Company
Santa Clara
1923–1937
"K.T.K" "K.T. and K." Art ware, restaurant ware, figurines & novelty giftware
[14] [20]
Jade Snow Wong
San Francisco
1950s-1960s
Art ware
Jam Ceramic Design
Sacramento
1975-mid-1980s
Artware, tableware, figurines & giftware
[14]
Jane Fauntz
Berkeley
1940s
Figurines
[11]
Jessie Grimes
San Francisco Bay area
1940s
Figurines
[11]
Kay the Potter (Kay Kinney)
Berkeley
1930s
Figurines & art ware
[11]
Lagunita
Oakland
1940s
Figurines
[11]
Laurel Pottery and Manufacturing Company
Stockton
1938–1962
Flower pots, art ware & tableware
[14]
Monterey Pottery
Carmel Valley
1948-unknown
"Monterey Jade" art ware, figurines & giftware
[11] [20]
Mudflat Pottery
Alviso
1974-unknown
Cookie Jars, giftware, tableware & utilitarian ware
[20]
Muresque Tiles
Oakland
1925–1935
Tile
[21]
Panama Pottery
Sacramento
1914–present
Utility ware, flower pots, garden ware & art ware
[22]
Pond Farm Pottery
Guerneville
1953–1980
Art pottery
Ransgil Glass Co.
Oakland
1940s-50s
Gold-encrusted china and glassware
Red Doat
Berkeley
1930s
Figurines
[11]
Redlands Pottery
Redlands
1902–1909
Art ware
[10]
Richenda Stevick
Redwood City , then Berkeley
1930s
Figurines & art ware
[11]
Roblin Art Pottery
San Francisco
1898–1906
Art pottery
[12]
San Carlos Pottery
San Carlos
late 1930s-late 1940s
Artware & figurines
[11] [14]
San Jose Tile (Handcraft Tile after 1931)
San Jose, California
1926–1931
Tile
[18]
Sierra Vista Ceramics
Sierra Vista
1942–1951
Giftware, cookie jars & kitchenware
[14]
Solon and Schemmel Tile Company (S&S)
San Jose
1920–1936
Tile
[21]
Sorcha Boru
San Carlos
1936–1950
Art ware, giftware & figurines
[12]
Stockton Terra Cotta Company (Stockton Art Pottery after 1896)
Stockton
1890–1895
Firebrick, sewer pipe & stove pipe & art pottery
[10]
Stockton Art Pottery (Stockton Brick and Pottery Company after 1901)
Stockton
1896–1900
Sewer pipe, brick & art pottery
[10]
Stockton Brick and Pottery Company
Stockton
1901-1902
Sewer pipe & brick
[10] [15]
Stonelite
San Jose
unknown
Tile
[16]
Strictly Stoneware
Capitola
unknown
Tableware
[23]
Technical Porcelain and Chinaware Company (TEPCO)
El Cerrito
1922–1968
[11] [14]
Walrich Pottery
Berkeley
1922–1930
Art pottery, figurines & tile
[21]
Washburn
Berkeley
1930s-1940s
Art ware
[11]
West Coast Porcelain Manufacturers
Millbrae
1920s
Sanitary ware & "California Porcelain" art ware
[14]
Woolenius Tile Company
Berkeley
1927–1941
Tile
[21]
Southern California
Geographically, see Southern California .
To use the sortable tables: click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.
Pottery
Location(s)
Dates
Tradename(s) / Products
Acme Tile Company
Los Angeles
1925–1932
Tile
[2]
Adelle
Laguna Beach
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Affiliated Craftsmen's Studio
Los Angeles
unknown
Planters
[24]
Alhamhra Kilns, Inc.
Alhambra
1920s-
Floor and roof tile
[25]
Alberhill Coal and Clay Company
Alberhill (Riverside County )
1882–1920
Art pottery from 1910 to 1912
[10] [12]
Alexander Franzka
La Crescenta-Montrose
1965-1987
Figurines, art ware, gift ware, terra cotta
[11]
Alhambra Kilns, Inc.
Santa Monica
1926–1937
Tile & roof tile
[2]
American Ceramic Products
Los Angeles, Santa Monica
1939–1967
"La Mirada" "Winfield" tableware , art ware , & figurines
[4]
American China Company
Los Angeles
1920s
Tile
[25]
American Encaustic Tiling Company (Gladding, McBean & Co. after 1933)
Vernon , Hermosa Beach
1919–1933
Tile
[2]
American Pottery
Los Angeles, San Juan Capistrano
1943–1953
"Brad Keeler Art Ware" "American Pottery" giftware , art ware, & figurines
[4]
American Refractories Company
Los Angeles
unknown
Fire brick
[25]
Angulo Tile Company
Santa Barbara & Reseda
unknown
Floor & roof tile
[25]
Ann Crochran
North Hollywood
early to mid-1950s
Art ware
[11]
Arcadia Ceramics
Arcadia
1940s-1950s
Novelty giftware
[4]
Architectural Pottery
Los Angeles
1950–1962
Planters, ash trays
[26]
Artistic Potteries Company
Whittier
1940s
Art ware, giftware & figurines
[14]
Atlas Fire Brick Company
Los Angeles
unknown
Fire brick
[25]
B.J. Brock (Southern California Pottery Company)
Lawndale
1947-80
"Brock" "Brock Ware" "Grantcrest" tableware
[4] [14]
Ball Brothers
Inglewood
1943–1948
Art ware & figurines
[4]
Barbara Willis
North Hollywood
1942–1958
Art ware & figurines
[27]
Batchelder
Pasadena
1910–1932
Tile & architectural products
[21]
Batchelder-Wilson Company
Los Angeles
mid-1920s
Tile & architectural products
[25]
Bauer Pottery Company of Los Angeles
Los Angeles
2000–present
"Bauer 2000" Tableware, art ware & kitchenware
[28]
Belmar of California
Los Angeles
1965–1967
Art ware
[14]
Bell Manufacturing and Sales Co.
Los Angeles
1950s
Figurines & art ware
[11]
The Bennetts
North Hollywood
1940s-1950s
Art ware
[11]
Bergstrom and French
Glendale, California (Scottsdale, Arizona after 1954)
1946–1953
"Solana Ware" Ovenware
[14]
Bernard Studios
Los Angeles
1940s
Figurines
[11]
Beth Barton
Fullerton
1940s-1950s
Figurines
[11]
Betty Lou Nichols
La Habra
1949–1962
Giftware & figurines
[29]
Bevan Kilns
Pasadena, Sierra Madre after 1943
1940s
Figurines & giftware
[11]
Bill Meyer
Los Angeles
1950s
Figurines & art ware
[11]
Bishop of California
unknown
1940s
Planters, giftware
[30]
Block Pottery
Los Angeles
1940s
Figurines, art ware & giftware
[11]
Bradster Potteries
Los Angeles
1941–1943
Tableware, art ware & figurines
[4]
Brayton Laguna Pottery
Laguna Beach
1927–1968
Tableware, art ware & figurines
[21]
Brusche Ceramics/Brusche Ceramics of California (J.A. Bauer Pottery after 1950)
Whittier
1949
Tableware
[14]
Burke-Simmons
unknown
late 1930s-1940s
Figurines
[11]
Burke-Winton
unknown
1930s
Figurines
[11]
California Art Products
unknown
1940s
Giftware
[11]
California Art Tile Company (Cal Art)
Richmond
1923–1964
Tile
[2]
California Brick and Tile Company (formerly Owens Brick Company
Van Nuys
unknown
Brick
[25]
California Belleek
Los Angeles
1948–1967
Figurines, giftware, tableware & art ware
[14]
California Ceramics (Ceramic Manufacturing Company)
Calabasas
1940s-1950s
"Orchard Ware" tableware
[14] [21]
California China Products Company (CCPCo)
National City
1911–1917
"Kaospar" tile
[2] [10]
California Clay Products (Calco)
South Gate
1923–1932
Tile
[2]
The California Cleminsons
El Monte
1941–1963
Giftware & figurines
[4]
California Dresden
Glendale
1951–1954
Figurines & art ware
[14]
California Figurine Company (Weil of California after 1946)
Los Angeles
1941–1946
"Weil Ware" giftware, artware, tableware & figurines
[4]
California Originals
Torrance
1955–1982
Kitchenware, giftware
[4]
California Pottery and Tile Works
Los Angeles
1994–present
Tile
[31]
Calpotter
Laguna Beach
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Capistrano Ceramics/John R. Stewart Inc.
San Juan Capistrano
1948–1951
Art ware & figurines
[14]
Carlana China
Los Angeles
1940s
Figurines
[20]
Catalina Clay Products
Avalon, Catalina Island
1927–1937
Tableware, art ware, tile, giftware & figurines
[32]
Casa Verdugo Pottery
Montrose
1940s
Giftware
[33]
Cemar Clay Products
Los Angeles
1935–1955
Giftware, kitchenware, art ware & figurines
[4]
Ceramicraft
San Clemente
1950s
Art ware
[11]
Ceramic Originals by Freeman-Leidy
Laguna Beach
1944–1955
Figurines, giftware, & tile
[20]
Chalice of California
Los Angeles
1945-early 1950s
Tableware, art ware & figurines
[11]
Classic Terra Cotta Company
Long Beach
2003–present
Terra cotta floor tile
[34]
Clay Sketches
Pasadena
1940-50s
Figurines
[4]
Clay Works, Inc.
Canoga Park
1973-
Planters
[20]
Claycraft Potteries
Los Angeles
1921–1939
Tile
[2]
The Claysmiths
San Gabriel
1945–1956
"Will-George" art ware & figurines
[4]
Claire Lerner
Los Angeles
1946-1950s
Art ware & figurines
[4]
Cole-Merris
San Gabriel
early 1940s
Art ware & figurines
[11]
Covina Pottery
Covina
1943-1990s
Planters & art ware
[11]
Crest China Company (Royal Crest China after 1952)
Santa Ana
1949-mid-1950s
Art ware & giftware
[14]
Crowell
Hemet
1940s
Figurines
[11]
D. & M. Tile Company
Los Angeles
1928–1939
Tile
[2]
Dan Daniels
unknown
1930s
Figurines
[11]
De Forest of California
Duarte
1950–1970
Cookie jars & novelty giftware
[20]
deLee Art Company
Los Angeles
1937-1950s
Figurines
[35]
DeCora Ceramics, Inc.
Inglewood
1952–1954
Art pottery, wall plates & dinnerware
[14] [36]
Decorative Arts, Inc.
Hawthorne
1927–1933
"Dec-Art" tile
[2]
Denwar Ceramics
Costa Mesa
1940s-1950s
Dinnerware
[11]
Desert Sands
Barstow
1960s-70s
Art ware
[4]
Designcraft, Inc.
Los Angeles
1963-
Tile, kitchenware and art ware
[20]
Dick Knox Pottery
Laguna Beach
1942–1950
"Knox China" tableware & art ware
[4]
Donna Winston
unknown
1950s
Art ware, giftware & mugs
[11]
Doranne of California
Los Angeles
1950s-1980s
Cookie jars, kitchenware, giftware, & planters
[4]
Douglass Clay Products Company (Pacific Sewer Pipe after 1910)
Los Angeles
1903–1910
Sewer pipe
[37]
Dorothy Kindell
Laguna Beach
1940s-1950s
Giftware & figurines
[4]
Drummond Pottery
Capistrano Beach
1950s
Figurines
[11]
Dubby of Hollywood
Hollywood
1940s
Figurines
[11]
Earthgender
El Segundo
1970s
Art ware & planters
Edmond Ronaky
Laguna Beach
1950s
Art ware & giftware
[11]
Elzac
Los Angeles, after 1944 Hawthorne
1941–1947
Figurines
[11]
Emesco Refractories Company
Los Angeles
1927-unknown
Fire brick
[25]
Empire China Company
Burbank
1920s-
Restaurant ware & tableware
[20]
The Enchanto Co.
Burbank
1950s
Tableware
[11]
Esther Shirey
Encino
1930s
Figurines
[4]
Eugene White
Bell Gardens
1941–1948
Tableware & art ware
[11]
Ever Art Ceramics
Los Angeles
1940s
Art ware
[38]
The Feldman Company
Los Angeles
unknown
Lamps
[24]
FHR Fred Robertson Los Angeles Pottery
Los Angeles
1906–1921
Art ware
Fleurette Ceramics, Inc.
West Hollywood
1950s
Giftware
[20]
Flintridge China Company (Gorham after 1970)
Pasadena
1945–1970
Tableware
[20]
Florence Ceramics
Pasadena
1942–1977
Giftware & figurines
[39]
Frazier, Inc.
North Hollywood
1960s
Kitchenware
[14]
Fred Wind Ceramics
Glendale
1950–1960
"Windware" art ware
[11]
Freeman Lederman
Van Nuys
unknown
Kitchenware & tableware
[40]
Freeman McFarlin
El Monte & San Marcos
1951–1980
Art ware & figurines
[41]
G.T. Chemical Products, Inc.
San Diego
1977-1980s
"Clay in Mind" planters, cookware, & giftware
[14]
Gainey Ceramics Inc.
La Verne
1949–2013
Planters & tile
[20]
Gene Lodi
unknown
1950s
Art ware
[11]
Genevieve and Charles Tulley
Glendale
1947-unknown
Lamps, art ware & figurines
[20]
Gilner
Culver City
1948–1957
Art ware
[4]
Globe Tile and Porcelain Works
Los Angeles
unknown
Tile
[25]
Golden State Ceramics
Pasadena
1940s
Artware & giftware
[42]
Grand Feu Art Pottery (Brauckman Art Pottery)
Los Angeles
mid-1900s
"Grand Feu" and "Brauckman" art ware
[12]
Grant Beach
Los Angeles
1940s
Art ware
[33]
Grayson Arts
Pasadena
1949-unknown
Giftware & art ware
[14]
Green Tree Studio (Bess Wilson)
North Hollywood
1940s
Gifware
[33]
Group Artec
Los Angeles
unknown
Tile & planters
[23]
Guppy
Corona del Mar
1940s-1950s
“Island Ware” tableware
[4]
H.F. Coors
Inglewood
1925–2003
Institutional china
[4] [20] [43]
H & H Tile Company
Los Angeles
1927-unknown
Tile
[25]
Hagen-Renaker
Monrovia then San Dimas
1946–2021
Giftware, planters & figurines
[41]
Halcyon Art Pottery
Halcyon
1910–1913
Art pottery
[10]
Haldeman Pottery
Burbank
1933–1953
"Caliente" art ware & figurines
[4]
Hallfield Pottery
unknown
1950s
Figurines
[11]
Hamilton Pottery
Los Angeles
1930s
Figurines & art ware
[11]
Hardie-Arnita
El Segundo
1940s
Figurines
[11]
Harold Burress Pottery
North Hollywood
1950s
Giftware
[20]
Harold Johnson
Glendale
1940–1952
Art ware
[4]
Hedi Schoop
Hollywood
1940–1958
Art ware & figurines
[4]
Heirlooms of Tomorrow (California Originals after 1955)
Manhattan Beach
1944–1955
Figurines
[4]
Helen Greenleaf Lane
Upland
1874–1962
Tile
[21]
Hermione Ceramics
Glendale
1940s-1950s
Giftware & figurines
[36] [44]
Hinkle of Monrovia
Monrovia
1940s
Kitchenware
[30]
Hispano-Moresque
Los Angeles
1927–1934
Tile
[21]
Hoffman Tile Company
Ontario
unknown
"Dequa" tile
[40]
Hollydale Potteries
Harbor City
1935–1959
“Malibu Modern” tableware
[4]
Howard Pierce Ceramics
LaVerne , after 1945 Claremont , after 1968 Joshua Tree
1941–1994
Giftware & figurines
[45]
Hueckel China and Porcelain Company, Inc.
El Monte
1948-
"Kaolina" art ware, & hotel ware
[20]
Italian Terra Cotta Company
Los Angeles
unknown
Architectural Terra Cotta & garden ware
[25]
Ivar of Hollywood
Hollywood
1940s
Art ware & figurines
[11]
Jane Callender
North Hollywood
1942-early 1950s
Figurines
[4]
Jane Holland
South Gate
1940s
Kitchenware
[11]
Jaru Art Products
Culver City
1950–1968
Art ware & figurines
[20]
Jaska of California
Los Angeles
1946-mid-1950s
Giftware & "Cascade Ware" tableware
[14]
Jean Goodwin Ames
Padua Hills, Claremont
1950s
Giftware & art ware
[11]
Jean Manley
North Hollywood
1940-50s
Figurines
[11]
Jean Read
unknown
1940s
Giftware
[30]
Jenev Studio Design
Los Angeles
1953–1959
Giftware & art ware
Johanna Ceramics
Costa Mesa
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Josef Originals
Monrovia
1946–1985
Figurines
[46]
Johannes Brahm
Los Angeles/Reseda
1945–1956
Giftware & art ware
[20]
Joy Thompson
Pasadena
1940s-1950s
Figurines
[4]
K & M Pottery
Los Angeles
unknown
Stoneware utilitarian wares
[25]
Karl Roma
unknown
1940s
Artware, figurines & giftware
[11]
Kay Finch Ceramics
Corona Del Mar
1940s-1963
Tableware, art ware, & figurines
[47]
Kaye of Hollywood
North Hollywood
early 1940s
Figurines
[4]
Kellems of Ceramics
Pasadena
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Kim Ward (formerly Kaye of Hollywood)
North Hollywood
late 1940s
Figurines
[4]
The Kiln of Sara Hume
Altadena
1940s
Art ware & figurines
[48]
Kinneloa Kiln
Los Angeles
1938–1951
"Batchhelder Ceramics" art ware
[14]
Kipp Ceramics
Pasadena
late 1940s
Art ware & figurines
[20]
Knowles, Taylor, and Knowles
Burbank
1940s
Art ware & figurines
[11]
Kraftile
Niles
1926–1997
Tile
[21]
L.A. Pressed Brick
Los Angeles
1887–1926
Brick, architectural terra cotta & tile
[21]
La Mirada Potteries
Los Angeles
1935–1939
Tableware, art ware & figurines
[11]
La Cañada
Newhall
1930s-1940s
Tableware, kitchenware & art ware
[4]
Landaker Original Ceramics
Los Angeles
1940s
Art ware & figurines
[11]
Lane
Van Nuys
1940s-1950s
TV lamps & planters
[4]
Lee Wollard
Burbank
1946–1951
Figurines & art ware
[12]
Leneige China
Burbank
1934–1955
Tableware & art ware
[14]
Lester of California
Pasadena
1950s
Figurines
[11]
Los Angeles Potteries
Lynwood
1940s-1971
Tableware, cookie jars, & kitchenware
[4] [20]
Los Angeles Stoneware Company (Douglass Clay Products Company after 1903)
Los Angeles
1900–1903
Sewer pipe
[37]
Lucie Watkins
Los Angeles
1940s
Figurines & art ware
[11]
M & L Manufacturing Company
Azusa
1950s
"De Maray" tableware & art ware
[11]
Mackie Artware
Corona Del Mar
1940s-1950s
Figurines & art ware
[11]
Madeline Originals
Pasadena
1948–present
Art ware & garden ware
[4]
Maddux of California
Los Angeles
1938–1976
Art ware, giftware & figurines
[4]
Malibu Ceramic Works
Topanga
1979–present
Tile, pots, terra cotta floor tile
[49]
Malibu Potteries
Malibu
1926–1932
Tile
[21]
Marc Bellaire, Inc.
Culver City
1953-early 1960s
Giftware, figurines & art ware
[11]
Marcia Ceramics of California
Los Angeles
early 1940s-unknown
Cookie jars, giftware & figurines
[20]
Markham Pottery
National City
1913–1921
Art ware
[12]
Markoff
Inglewood
1926–1945
Tile
[21]
Marsh Industries
Glendale, after 1959 Los Angeles
1950-
"French Chef Cookware" cookware and "California Giftware" giftware
[14]
Mary Jane Hart
Los Angeles
1940s
"Copa de Oro" figurines
[11]
Maybrik
Los Angeles
unknown
Tile
[16]
Mathew Adams
Los Angeles
1960s
Art ware
[4]
Max P.H. Schonfeld
Los Angeles
1939-late 1950s
"Kaolina" artware & giftware
[14]
Maxine Cloud
Hawthorne
1945–1953
Giftware & art ware
[11]
McCarty Brothers
Sierra Madre
1940s
Giftware & figurines
[4]
Mc Me Productions
Simi Valley
1980s
Cookie Jars
[11]
McAffee
San Gabriel
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Mel Ceramics
Torrance
1950s
Tableware & art ware
[36] [50]
Meyers/California Rainbow Pottery
Vernon
1930s-1940s
Tableware, kitchenware & art ware
[4]
Miramar of California
Los Angeles
1950s-1960s
Tableware, kitchenware & art ware
[4]
Mission China Company
Los Angeles
unknown
Hotel & restaurant ware
[25]
Modglin's Originals
Los Angeles
1940–1945
Figurines
[4]
Moreno Ceramics
Pomona
1971-unknown
Flower pots & figural planters
[20]
Nipedal Manufacturing Co.
Pasadena
1940s
"Pas Cal" figurines & giftware
[42]
Northington Inc.
Los Angeles
1950s
Tableware
[11]
Orange Grove Pottery
Burbank
1948–1974
Tableware, giftware & planters
[20]
Padre
Los Angeles
1930s-1940s
Tableware, kitchenware, art ware & figurines
[4]
Pacific Art Tile Company (Western Art Tile Company after 1904
Los Angeles (Tropico)
1902–1904
Tile
[10] [25]
Pacific Sewer Pipe Company (Pacific Clay Products after 1916)
Los Angeles, Los Nietos
1910–1916
Sewer pipe
[37]
Pat and Covey Stewart
Laguna Beach
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Peterson Studios
El Segundo
1950s
Art ware
[11]
Phyllis Lester
Los Angeles
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Pillin Pottery
Los Angeles
early 1948-1992
Art ware
[14]
Pixie Potters (Millicent Andrews)
Los Angeles
1939–1954
" Millesan Drews Miniature Pixies " figurines
[11] [14]
Poinsettia Ceramics
Baldwin Park
1940s
Giftware
[30]
Pomona Tile Manufacturing Co.
Pomona
1923–1976
Tile
[21]
Potters Associated
Paramount
unknown
Tableware
[40]
Poxon China Products
Vernon
1912–1928
Tile & tableware
[21]
Pro Artisans
Manhattan Beach
unknown
Lamps
[40]
Proutyline Products (American Encaustic Tiling Co. after 1926)
Hermosa Beach
1921–1926
Tile
[7]
Raymond Koechlin
Los Angeles
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Rembrant Pottery
Laguna Beach
1930s
Art ware
[11]
Renaker-Brazel
Leucadia
1974–1992
Miniature figurines
[41]
Rhead Pottery
Santa Barbara
1913–1917
Tile
[21]
Ridgewood China
Los Angeles
1940s
Tableware
[36]
Rio Hondo
El Monte
1939-mid-1950s
Figurines
[11] [14]
Riverside Ceramics
Riverside County
1946–1947
Zeisel tableware
[51]
Robaul of California
unknown
1940s-1950s
Art ware
[11]
Robert Maxwell Studio
Venice
1960s-1970s
"Robert Maxwell Stoneware" art ware, planters, figurines
[52]
Robert Simmons
Costa Mesa
1940s-1950s
Giftware & figurines
[4]
Robertson/Hollywood Pottery
Los Angeles
1934–1952
Art ware
Robyn Ceramics
Fallbrook , after 1955 Idyllwild
1940s-1950s
Figurines
[11]
Rose S. Shep
Seal Beach
1948–1963
Tableware, giftware, planters, & lamps
[12]
The Rose Crown China Co.
Pasadena
1940s
Giftware
[30]
Roselane Pottery
Pasadena
1938–1977
Giftware, art ware & figurines
[4]
Ross
Laguna Beach, then Hawthorne
1940s
Figurines
[11]
Rothman Stoneware
Los Angeles
1971–1982
"Rothwoman" kitchenware, & tableware
[20]
Roy John of Wilmar California
Wilmar
1940s
Figurines
[42]
Rumph
unknown
1960s-1970s
Art ware & mugs
[11]
Saar
Lawndale , then El Segundo
1950–1962
Art ware, tableware, & giftware
[11]
San Vallé Tile Kilns
Los Angeles
1952-unknown
Tableware
[14]
Santa Anita
Los Angeles
1940s-1950s
Tableware & kitchenware
[4]
Santa Barbara Ceramic Design
Santa Barbara
1976-unknown
Giftware & art ware
[14]
Sascha Brastoff Ceramics
Los Angeles
1947–1963
Tableware, art ware, & figurines
[53]
Sasha Studios (Sasha Katchamakoff)
Los Angeles
1950s
Figurines
[11]
Sierra Vista Ceramics
Sierra Vista , after 1951 Phoenix, Arizona
1942–1958
Cookie jars & giftware
[12] [14]
S-Squire Ceramics
Los Angeles
1943–1950
Giftware & figurines
[4]
Southern California Ceramic Company/California Art Products, Inc.
Santa Monica/Los Angeles
1945–1953
"Orchard" "Hollywood Ware" tableware
[14]
Southern California Clay Products (California Clay Products after 1923)
Vernon
1917–1923
Chemical stoneware
[2]
Southern California Coal and Clay Company (Pacific Sewer Pipe Company after 1910)
Lake Elsinore
1886–1910
Sewer pipe
[37]
Starnes (Walter Starnes)
Los Angeles
1952–1954
Tableware
[14]
Stewart B. McCulloch
unknown
1940s
Figurines & art ware
[11]
Sunshine Ceramics of Los Angeles
Los Angeles
1940s
Giftware
[33]
Susi Singer
Pasadena
1935–1955
Figurines
[11]
Sy Alan Designs
Canoga Park
unknown
Lamps
[40]
Sylvan Ceramics
Pasadena
1943-
art ware
[12]
Sylvia Hood Designs
Pasadena
1960–1965
Figurines
[14]
Taylor Tilery
Santa Monica
1930–1941
Tile
[21]
Tony Hill-Wilmer James
Los Angeles
late 40s-early 50s
Art ware
[11]
Treasure Craft – Pottery Craft
Gardena and South Gate, then Compton
1955–1995
Giftware, kitchenware, & figurines
[54]
Triangle Studios (Vallona Starr Ceramics)
Los Angeles/El Monte
1930–1953
Novelty giftware, kitchenware & art ware
[4]
Tropico Potteries (Gladding, McBean & Co. after 1923)
Los Angeles
1921–1923
Tile, architectural terra cotta & sewer pipe
[21]
Tudor Art Tile Company (Tudor Potteries)
Los Angeles
1927–1939
Tile, art ware, garden ware & figurines
[21]
Twin Winton
Pasadena, then San Juan Capistrano
1936–1975
Giftware, kitchenware, & figurines
[4]
Vadna of California
Leucadia
1940s-1950s
Tableware & art ware
[11]
Valentien Pottery Company
San Diego
1911–1913
Art pottery
[10]
Valley Vista Ceramics
Los Angeles
1946–1962
Giftware
[20]
Vally Werner
Los Angeles
1940s
Art ware
[4]
Van Straaton Company
Santa Monica
1940s
Art ware
[38]
Vee Jackson
San Gabriel then Pasadena
1946–1976
Giftware
[11]
Vessel USA Inc.
San Diego
1998–present
Planters
[55]
Victoria Ceramics
San Juan Capistrano
1940s
Figurines
[48]
Vitrefrax Company
Los Angeles
unknown
Insulators
[25]
Vohann of California
Laguna Beach/Capistrano Beach /San Clemente
1950–present
Art ware & giftware
[4] [56]
Wade Ceramics
North Hollywood
1965–1967
Art ware & kitchenware
[14]
Walker Potteries
Monrovia
1945–1952
Figurines
[14] [57]
Walker-Renaker
Monrovia
1952–1959
Figurines
[57]
Wallace China Company
Huntington Park
1931–1964
Restaurant ware
[4]
Walter Wilson
Pasadena
1943–1954
Giftware & figurines
[14]
Weil of California (California Figurine Company prior to 1946)
Los Angeles
1946–1955
"Weil Ware" giftware, artware, tableware & figurines
[4]
West Coast Tile Company (American Encaustic Tiling Company after 1919)
Vernon
1914–1919
Tile
[10] [21]
West Coast
Burbank
1940s-1950s
Art ware, giftware & figurines
[4]
Western Art Tile Company (Tropico Potteries after 1921)
Los Angeles (Tropico)
early 1904-1920
Tile
[10]
Western Quarry Tiles
Monrovia
1959–present
Garden ware & tile
[24] [58]
Whiting-Mead Company
Los Angeles
unknown
Sanitary ware & garden ware
[25]
Wildwood Ceramics
Pasadena
1940s-1950s
Giftware
[11]
Will-George (became The Claysmiths in 1945)
Pasadena
1934–1945
Giftware & figurines
[4]
William Bonzi
Pasadena
1945-1950s
"Bonzi" giftware, artware & tableware
[14]
William Manker Ceramics
Padua Hills – Claremont
1933-late 1950s
Art ware & figurines
[4]
Wilmer James
Los Angeles
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Winfield Pottery – Gabriel Porcelain Pottery
Pasadena
1929–1962
"Winfield" "Gabriel Porcelain" tableware, art ware & figurines
[12]
Winifred Cole of California
Van Nuys
1967-
Giftware
[20]
Wolper Art Studios
Los Angeles
1948-unknown
Tableware & giftware
[14]
Yerbysmith Ceramics
Laguna Beach
1940s
Art ware
[11]
Ynez
Inglewood
1940s-1950s
Figurines
[4]
Yona Ceramics
Los Angeles
1952–1957
Giftware & figurines
[11]
Studio pottery
Gallery
Tile
Art ware and giftware
Catalina Clay Products Catalina Pottery art ware vase.
Gladding, McBean & Co. Catalina Pottery Art Ware head vase.
Pat and Covey Stewart covered box with lid.
Karl Roma clock.
Robertson Hollywood covered jar.
Brad Keeler Ming Dragon Blood covered ginger jar.
Bauer Pottery two handled vase by Matt Carlton.
Figurines
Kay Finch Ceramics
cocker spaniel dog figurine.
Jean Manley
peasant girl figurine.
Kay the Potter (Kay Kinney) dog figurine.
Sorcha Boru deer figurine.
Copa de Oro (Mary Jane Hart) horse figurine.
California Figurine Company Weil Ware girl figurines.
Freeman McFarlin
burro figurines by Kay Finch.
Jane Fauntz baby and sitting boy figurines.
Pixie Potters
Millesan Drews Pixies by Millicent Andrews.
Susi Singer lady figurine.
Hardie-Arnita dog figurines.
Beth Barton
bug band figurines.
Marc Bellaire dancer figurine.
Robert Simmons
zebra figurines.
Brayton Laguna purple bull, cow, and calf figurines based on the poem
Purple Cow by Gelett Burgess.
Sascha Brastoff
Merbaby figurine.
Joy Thompson spring and autumn figurines.
Jaru Art Products cubist rabbit.
Tableware
^ Stiles, Helen E. (1941). Pottery in the United States . New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. pp. 140 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n California Heritage Museum (2003). Joseph A. Taylor (ed.). California Tile: The Golden Era 1910–1940: Acme to Handcraft . Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing LTD. ISBN 0-7643-1942-6 .
^ "A Brave New Label Figurines, Made in U.S.A.". Ceramic Industry . October 1944.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf Chipman, Jack (1999). California Pottery . Paducah, Kentucky: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-037-8 .
^ "Colored Pottery, California Manufacturers Lead the World in Beauty of Design and Coloring". California Magazine of Pacific Business : 16. September 1937.
^ "Gladding, McBean LLC" . Retrieved 10 July 2011 .
^ a b Gibbs, Carl (2001). Collector's Encyclopedia of Metlox Potteries: Identification and Values, Second Edition . Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-224-9 .
^ "Pacific Clay Products" . Retrieved 10 July 2011 .
^ Nelson, Maxine F (2003). Collectible Vernon Kilns . Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-370-9 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Trapp, Kenneth (1994). Arts and Crafts Movement in California, The: Living the Good Life . New York: Abbeville Publishing Group.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj Chipman, Jack (2005). California Pottery Scrapbook . Paducah, Kentucky: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-407-1 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bray, Hazel V. (1980). The Potter's Art in California: 1885-1955 . Oakland, California: The Oakland Museum Art Department.
^ Morse, R. Neil (2006). California Pottery Company Merced . Merced, CA: Merced Historical Society. ISBN 0-9729318-4-8 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq Lehner, Lois (1988). Lehner's Encyclopedia Of US Marks On Pottery, Porcelain Clay . Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 0-89145-365-2 .
^ a b Mosier, Dan L., and Williams, Earle E., History of Tesla, A California Coal Mining Town, Mines Road Books, Fremont, CA, 2002.
^ a b c Pasadena Art Museum (1968). California Design/Ten . Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Art Museum.
^ Pasquali, Jim (1999). Sanford's Guide to Garden City Pottery: A Hidden Treasure of Northern California . Adelmore Press. ISBN 0-9633531-5-2 .
^ a b "Handcraft Tiles History" . Retrieved 13 July 2011 .
^ "Hans Sumpf Closes" . E-News from the Tile Heritage .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Derwich, Jenny B. and Mary Latos (1984). Dictionary Guide to United States Pottery and Porcelain: Ninth and Twentieth Century . Franklin, Michigan: Jenstan. ISBN 0-9612624-0-0 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t California Heritage Museum (2003). Joseph A. Taylor (ed.). California Tile: The Golden Era 1910–1940: Hispano-Moresque to Woolenius . Atglen, Penn: Schiffer Publishing LTD. ISBN 0-7643-1943-4 .
^ "Panama Pottery" . Retrieved 14 July 2011 .
^ a b Pasadena Art Museum (1976). California Design 76, A Bicentennial Celebration . Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Art Museum.
^ a b c Pasadena Art Museum (1962). California Design/Eight . Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Art Museum.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Dietrich, Waldemar Fenn (1928). "The Clay Resources and the Ceramic Industry of California" . California State Mining Bureau (Bulletin No. 99). Retrieved 16 July 2011 .
^ "UCLA Special Collections - Finding Aid for the Max and Rita Lawrence Architectural Pottery Records, ca. 1950-1994" . OAC Online Archive of California . Retrieved 12 July 2011 .
^ Chipman, Jack (2003). Barbara Willis: Classic California Modernism . JaBa Books. ISBN 0-9727430-0-6 .
^ "Bauer Pottery of Los Angeles" . Retrieved 10 July 2011 .
^ Gordon, Maddy (2007). Head Vases Etc.: The Artistry of Betty Lou Nichols . Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-1490-2 .
^ a b c d e Tufft, J. Edward (August 1947). "Art Ware Pottery Gossip from Southern California". Ceramic Industry .
^ "California Pottery and Tile Works" . Retrieved 16 July 2011 .
^ Fridley, A.W. (1977). Catalina Pottery, The Early Years 1927–1937 . Costa Mesa, California: Rainbow Publishing.
^ a b c d Tufft, J. Edward (June 1946). "Art Ware Gossip from Southern California". Ceramic Industry .
^ Classic Terra Cotta Company
^ Humphries, John, Joanne Schaefer and Ralph Schaefer (1997). Delee Art: The Pictorial Story of a California Artist and Her Company . S&S Books. ISBN 0-9655422-0-3 . {{cite book }}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link )
^ a b c d Tufft, J. Edward (October 1949). "Art Ware Gossip From Southern California". Ceramic Industry .
^ a b c d Snyder, Jeffrey B. (2000). Pacific Pottery, Tableware from the 1920s, '30s, and '40s...and more! . Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Pub Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-1276-6 .
^ a b Tufft, J. Edward (May 1947). "Art Ware Gossip from Southern California". Ceramic Industry .
^ Kline, Barbara S., Margaret C. Wehrspaun, and Jerry Kline (2002). The Complete Book of Florence Ceramics . Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-1528-5 . {{cite book }}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link )
^ a b c d e Pasadena Art Museum (1965). California Design/Nine . Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Art Museum.
^ a b c Kelly, Nancy (2001). Hagen-Renaker through the Years . Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer+publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-1385-1 .
^ a b c Tufft, J. Edward (January 1946). "Artware Pottery Gossip from Southern California". Ceramic Industry .
^ "About H.F. Coors China" . Archived from the original on 2011-09-26. Retrieved 10 July 2011 .
^ Tufft, J. Edward (June 1944). "News of the Whiteware Industry". Ceramic Industry .
^ Dommel, Darlene Hurst (1997). Collector's Encyclopedia of Howard Pierce Porcelain: Identification and Values . Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-019-X .
^ Whitaker, Jim and Kaye Whitaker (1999). Josef Originals: Figurines of Muriel Joseph George . Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing LTD. ISBN 0-7643-1049-6 .
^ Nickel, Mike and Cindy Horvath (2000). Kay Finch: Ceramics . Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-0008-3 .
^ a b Tufft, J. Edward (October 1945). Ceramic Industry .
^ Malibu Ceramic Works
^ Torrance Press. - September 4, 1952
^ Eidelberg, Martin (1984). Eva Zeisel Designer for Industry . Musee Des Arts Decoratifs De Montreal. pp. 44–45. ISBN 0-226-19473-6 .
^ "Robert Maxwell Pottery" . Retrieved 12 July 2011 .
^ Conti, Steve, A. Dewayne Bethany, Bill Seay (1995). Collector's Encyclopedia of Sascha Brastoff: Identification & Values . Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 0-89145-647-3 . {{cite book }}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link )
^ Higby, George A. (2004). Treasure Craft & Pottery Craft Stoneware: California & Hawaii's Last Major Pottery . Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing LTD. ISBN 0-7643-2072-6 .
^ "Architectural Pottery Vessel USA" . Retrieved 10 July 2011 .
^ "Vohann of California" . Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011 .
^ a b Roller, Gayle, Kathleen Rose, Joan Berkwitz (1989). The Hagen-Renaker Handbook . {{cite book }}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link )
^ "Western Quarry Tiles" . Archived from the original on 2011-02-25. Retrieved 15 July 2011 .
Further reading
Derwich, Jenny B. and Mary Latos. Dictionary Guide to United States Pottery and Porcelain: Ninth and Twentieth Century. Jenstan, Franklin, Michigan (1984) ISBN 0-9612624-0-0
Chipman, Jack. Collector's Encyclopedia of California Pottery . Collector Books, Paducah, Kentucky (1999) ISBN 1-57432-037-8
Chipman, Jack. California Pottery Scrapbook . Collector Books, Paducah, Kentucky (2004) ISBN 1-57432-407-1
Lehner, Lois. Lehner's Encyclopedia Of US Marks On Pottery, Porcelain Clay . Collectors Books, Paducah, Kentucky (1988) ISBN 978-0-89145-365-9
Schneider, Mike. California Potteries, The Complete Book . Schiffer Publishing, Atglen, Pennsylvania (1995) ISBN 0-88740-877-X
Stern, Bill. California Pottery: From Missions to Modernism . Chronicle Books (2001) ISBN 0-8118-3068-3
The California Heritage Museum, Joseph A. Taylor ed. California Tile: The Golden Era 1910-1940: Acme to Handcraft. Schiffer Publishing LTD, Atglen, Pennsylvania (2003) ISBN 0-7643-1942-6
The California Heritage Museum, Joseph A. Taylor ed. California Tile: The Golden Era 1910-1940: Hispano-Moresque to Woolenius. Schiffer Publishing LTD, Atglen, Pennsylvania (2003) ISBN 0-7643-1943-4