This technique, which became the cornerstone of Niloak pottery was invented by Charles Dean Hyten, successor to his father as the owner of Hyten Pottery. The process involved blending different Arkansas clays in a way where they would not separate by drying or firing, and then allowing the natural forces from throwing the forms to swirl the patterns into the material. Hyten formed Niloak Pottery in 1909, and began producing these fascinating pieces throughout the early 1900s. Though the pottery at the time did not have national recognition, the pieces were highly valued.
The swirling of the different clays allowed for mesmerizing color combinations, and any kind of palette could be designed by simply choosing a different kind of natural clay, or artificially augmenting white clay. No two pieces were alike, since the throwing process brought out the swirls in different ways, and thus the firing caused an infinite variation in the swirling patterns. This “Mission ware” as it came to be called, experienced its first dwindling in popularity during the great depression. Hyten had to introduce some practical tableware to supplement the business. Niloak Pottery continued to churn out its acclaimed Mission ware until its closure in 1944.
Earlier Niloak pieces tend to be less vibrant in hue, as experimentation was more for the technique rather than the designs. These early works often appear in brown, tan, cream or other muted tones. Later Niloak pottery tends to incorporate a wider variety of clays, and thus display a larger variation in color. Early Niloak pottery bears a standard impressed “Niloak” mark on the base. After the patent was received in 1928, pieces were also marked with the patent number.