Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 9, 2026

California pottery

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.

Last revised
Jul 9, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗

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. source ↗

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. The major area of U.S. household ceramics production was in the Los Angeles Basin. 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. 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 210
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 212
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 1420
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 1120
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 1114
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 1015
Stonelite San Jose unknown Tile 16
Strictly Stoneware Capitola unknown Tableware 23
Technical Porcelain and Chinaware Company (TEPCO) El Cerrito 1922–1968 1114
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 1012
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 414
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 1421
California China Products Company (CCPCo) National City 1911–1917 "Kaospar" tile 210
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 1436
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 42043
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 3644
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 420
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 3650
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 1025
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 1114
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 1114
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 1214
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 456
Wade Ceramics North Hollywood 1965–1967 Art ware & kitchenware 14
Walker Potteries Monrovia 1945–1952 Figurines 1457
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 1021
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 2458
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

Tile

Art ware and giftware

  • Catalina Clay Products Catalina Pottery art ware vase.
    Catalina Clay Products Catalina Pottery art ware vase.
  • Gladding, McBean & Co. Catalina Pottery Art Ware head vase.
    Gladding, McBean & Co. Catalina Pottery Art Ware head vase.
  • Pat and Covey Stewart covered box with lid.
    Pat and Covey Stewart covered box with lid.
  • Karl Roma clock.
    Karl Roma clock.
  • Robertson Hollywood covered jar.
    Robertson Hollywood covered jar.
  • Brad Keeler Ming Dragon Blood covered ginger jar.
    Brad Keeler Ming Dragon Blood covered ginger jar.
  • Bauer Pottery two handled vase by Matt Carlton.
    Bauer Pottery two handled vase by Matt Carlton.

Figurines

  • Metlox Manufacturing Company bear figurines.
    Metlox Manufacturing Company bear figurines.
  • Kay Finch Ceramics cocker spaniel dog figurine.
    Kay Finch Ceramics cocker spaniel dog figurine.
  • Jean Manley peasant girl figurine.
    Jean Manley peasant girl figurine.
  • Kay the Potter (Kay Kinney) dog figurine.
    Kay the Potter (Kay Kinney) dog figurine.
  • Sorcha Boru deer figurine.
    Sorcha Boru deer figurine.
  • Copa de Oro (Mary Jane Hart) horse figurine.
    Copa de Oro (Mary Jane Hart) horse figurine.
  • California Figurine Company Weil Ware girl figurines.
    California Figurine Company Weil Ware girl figurines.
  • Freeman McFarlin burro figurines by Kay Finch.
    Freeman McFarlin burro figurines by Kay Finch.
  • Jane Fauntz baby and sitting boy figurines.
    Jane Fauntz baby and sitting boy figurines.
  • Pixie Potters Millesan Drews Pixies by Millicent Andrews.
    Pixie Potters Millesan Drews Pixies by Millicent Andrews.
  • Susi Singer lady figurine.
    Susi Singer lady figurine.
  • Hardie-Arnita dog figurines.
    Hardie-Arnita dog figurines.
  • Beth Barton bug band figurines.
    Beth Barton bug band figurines.
  • Marc Bellaire dancer figurine.
    Marc Bellaire dancer figurine.
  • Robert Simmons zebra figurines.
    Robert Simmons zebra figurines.
  • Brayton Laguna purple bull, cow, and calf figurines based on the poem Purple Cow by Gelett Burgess.
    Brayton Laguna purple bull, cow, and calf figurines based on the poem Purple Cow by Gelett Burgess.
  • Sascha Brastoff Merbaby figurine.
    Sascha Brastoff Merbaby figurine.
  • Joy Thompson spring and autumn figurines.
    Joy Thompson spring and autumn figurines.
  • Jaru Art Products cubist rabbit.
    Jaru Art Products cubist rabbit.

Tableware

Footnotes

Footnotes

  1. Stiles, Helen E. (1941). Pottery in the United States. New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. pp. 140.
  2. 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.
  3. "A Brave New Label Figurines, Made in U.S.A.". Ceramic Industry. October 1944.
  4. Chipman, Jack (1999). California Pottery. Paducah, Kentucky: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-037-8.
  5. "Colored Pottery, California Manufacturers Lead the World in Beauty of Design and Coloring". California Magazine of Pacific Business: 16. September 1937.
  6. "Gladding, McBean LLC". Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  7. Gibbs, Carl (2001). Collector's Encyclopedia of Metlox Potteries: Identification and Values, Second Edition. Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-224-9.
  8. "Pacific Clay Products". Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  9. Nelson, Maxine F (2003). Collectible Vernon Kilns. Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-370-9.
  10. Trapp, Kenneth (1994). Arts and Crafts Movement in California, The: Living the Good Life. New York: Abbeville Publishing Group.
  11. Chipman, Jack (2005). California Pottery Scrapbook. Paducah, Kentucky: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-407-1.
  12. Bray, Hazel V. (1980). The Potter's Art in California: 1885-1955. Oakland, California: The Oakland Museum Art Department.
  13. Morse, R. Neil (2006). California Pottery Company Merced. Merced, CA: Merced Historical Society. ISBN 0-9729318-4-8.
  14. Lehner, Lois (1988). Lehner's Encyclopedia Of US Marks On Pottery, Porcelain Clay. Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 0-89145-365-2.
  15. Mosier, Dan L., and Williams, Earle E., History of Tesla, A California Coal Mining Town, Mines Road Books, Fremont, CA, 2002.
  16. Pasadena Art Museum (1968). California Design/Ten. Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Art Museum.
  17. Pasquali, Jim (1999). Sanford's Guide to Garden City Pottery: A Hidden Treasure of Northern California. Adelmore Press. ISBN 0-9633531-5-2.
  18. "Handcraft Tiles History". Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  19. "Hans Sumpf Closes". E-News from the Tile Heritage.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. "Panama Pottery". Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  23. Pasadena Art Museum (1976). California Design 76, A Bicentennial Celebration. Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Art Museum.
  24. Pasadena Art Museum (1962). California Design/Eight. Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Art Museum.
  25. Dietrich, Waldemar Fenn (1928). "The Clay Resources and the Ceramic Industry of California". California State Mining Bureau (Bulletin No. 99). Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  26. "UCLA Special Collections - Finding Aid for the Max and Rita Lawrence Architectural Pottery Records, ca. 1950-1994". OAC Online Archive of California. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  27. Chipman, Jack (2003). Barbara Willis: Classic California Modernism. JaBa Books. ISBN 0-9727430-0-6.
  28. "Bauer Pottery of Los Angeles". Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  29. Gordon, Maddy (2007). Head Vases Etc.: The Artistry of Betty Lou Nichols. Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-1490-2.
  30. Tufft, J. Edward (August 1947). "Art Ware Pottery Gossip from Southern California". Ceramic Industry.
  31. "California Pottery and Tile Works". Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  32. Fridley, A.W. (1977). Catalina Pottery, The Early Years 1927–1937. Costa Mesa, California: Rainbow Publishing.
  33. Tufft, J. Edward (June 1946). "Art Ware Gossip from Southern California". Ceramic Industry.
  34. Classic Terra Cotta Company
  35. 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)
  36. Tufft, J. Edward (October 1949). "Art Ware Gossip From Southern California". Ceramic Industry.
  37. 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.
  38. Tufft, J. Edward (May 1947). "Art Ware Gossip from Southern California". Ceramic Industry.
  39. 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)
  40. Pasadena Art Museum (1965). California Design/Nine. Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Art Museum.
  41. Kelly, Nancy (2001). Hagen-Renaker through the Years. Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer+publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-1385-1.
  42. Tufft, J. Edward (January 1946). "Artware Pottery Gossip from Southern California". Ceramic Industry.
  43. "About H.F. Coors China". Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  44. Tufft, J. Edward (June 1944). "News of the Whiteware Industry". Ceramic Industry.
  45. Dommel, Darlene Hurst (1997). Collector's Encyclopedia of Howard Pierce Porcelain: Identification and Values. Paducah, KY: Collector Books. ISBN 1-57432-019-X.
  46. Whitaker, Jim and Kaye Whitaker (1999). Josef Originals: Figurines of Muriel Joseph George. Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing LTD. ISBN 0-7643-1049-6.
  47. Nickel, Mike and Cindy Horvath (2000). Kay Finch: Ceramics. Atglen, Penn.: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-0008-3.
  48. Tufft, J. Edward (October 1945). Ceramic Industry. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  49. Malibu Ceramic Works
  50. Torrance Press. - September 4, 1952
  51. Eidelberg, Martin (1984). Eva Zeisel Designer for Industry. Musee Des Arts Decoratifs De Montreal. pp. 44–45. ISBN 0-226-19473-6.
  52. "Robert Maxwell Pottery". Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  53. 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)
  54. 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.
  55. "Architectural Pottery Vessel USA". Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  56. "Vohann of California". Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  57. Roller, Gayle, Kathleen Rose, Joan Berkwitz (1989). The Hagen-Renaker Handbook.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  58. "Western Quarry Tiles". Archived from the original on February 25, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
Further reading

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