california art pottery
California art pottery cannot be defined by any one of its makers, rather it is a broad group tied by its geography, vibrant glazes, distinct styles, and history. California was introduced to ceramics by early Spanish settlers who worked often with tiles.
It is no wonder that tilery is a common product in California art pottery. In 1910, the Arts in Crafts Movement boomed in California, and it was from this point forward that California art pottery made its name in the industry. Well-known pottery makers like California Faience, Walrich Pottery, Taylor Tilery, and Sittre Ceramics pushed the boundaries of art pottery with their incredible work.
The style of California art pottery is not singular, but tiles, bright colors, and innovative shapes define the genre. A popular firm, California Faience, specialized in tiles. Their designs combine elements of Art-Deco and Hispano-Moresque, often executed in fine matte, or glossy glaze. Walrich pottery was home to many popular non-tile art pottery lines from the California art pottery era. J. Wall, the lead potter, dispensed the idea of mass production and focused on intimate works. Walrich pottery is best known for its blue matte glaze, developed by Wall himself, and the mesmerizing finish of the treated glaze is what makes these pieces so sought-after.
Since the makers of California art pottery vary widely, so too do the marks that distinguish their pottery. Walrich pottery features a simple incised “Walrich” mark, lines from other pieces (such as Sittre) follow this simple kind of “company” mark, some bear a mark indicative of California, and others bear no mark at all.
To appreciate one piece of California art pottery is to acknowledge the brilliance of them all. Though markedly distinct in final designs, all California art pottery is recognized universally for its unique history, innovative styling, and masterful composition.