Celebrating California Pottery

Being a born and bred So Cal gal, I’ve always been surrounded by California Pottery. You can’t grow up in Southern California without being exposed to multitudes of Franciscan Desert Rose or Red Apple dishes. But why was California such a hotbed of ceramic and clay production for so many years? After all, the Midwest had cemented itself as the pottery center of the country being home to Weller, Rookwood, Roseville, Homer Laughlin and more.

California pottery was influenced by Mexican, Spanish, and Chinese clay tiles and pottery being imported into the area in the 17th and 18th centuries. When California became a state in 1850, the area was flooded with new inhabitants and clay roof tile, floor tile, and piping became big business. Along with utilitarian pottery came decorative pieces as well. Decorative wall tiles, dinnerware, jars, lamps, vases, sinks, and more were all made of local clay decorated in bright colors and patterns reflective of the history and heritage of the state’s new population. As the population grew so did the number of local potteries. The heyday of California pottery was from the 1920s to the 1960s. Even famed architect Julia Morgan used California pottery tiles when designing Hearst Castle. 

At the peak of the California pottery craze, there were over 300 companies in Los Angeles alone, producing everything from clay pipes to highly decorative art pieces throughout the state. The largest and most prolific group of companies is known as “The Big Five.” The Big Five include Vernon Kilns, J.A.Bauer Pottery, Metlox Potteries, Pacific Clay Products and Gladding, McBean & Co.

Of the original Big Five, only Pacific Clay and Gladding, McBean remain still in business. Both companies manufacture clay products for building and industrial use, however Gladding, McBean also still makes decorative pottery. They were also the manufacturers of Franciscan dinnerware as well as Catalina Clay. 

J.A. Bauer closed shop in 1962, but in 1998 the company trademark rights were purchased and new molds were made from existing vintage pieces. While they no longer manufacture those amazing ring bowls, the company is now producing accurate reproductions of many originals as well as Russell Wright American Modern dinnerware. 

For more information on California pottery, Wikipedia has a comprehensive listing of potteries throughout the state