The Ephraim Pottery Collectors Society is hosting the First Annual Ephraim Pottery Convention on June 20- 21, 2008 at the Sheraton Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.  The convention is open to the Ephraim Pottery Collectors Society Membership only. The Society is dedicated to the collection and preservation of Ephraim Faience Pottery.  Specific Society goals include researching the history of the pottery, facilitating the sharing of information about the pottery, establishing a network of collectors, and encouraging the buying and selling of Ephraim Pottery. 

The convention will feature seminars by Kevin Hicks, owner and founder of Ephraim, as well as other notable Ephraim employees and collectors.  The convention will also offer the opportunity to purchase Ephraim Pottery.  There is a full schedule of events for the convention at the Society’s website. 

Greg Myroth – Just Art Pottery

The husband and wife team of Gertrud and Otto Natzler created extraordinary pottery pieces from the late 1930s until Gertrud’s death in 1971.  Gertrud threw the clay and crafted it into perfectly proportioned, simple forms.  Otto experimented with different glazing techniques and discovered rich, luminous glazes that set Natzler Pottery apart from the rest.  Otto developed over 1000 glazes before his death at age 99.  Gertrud and Otto’s pottery had numerous American, European, and international exhibitions in just their first few years together.  Today, their exquisite work can be found in over 50 museum collections around the world, including such prestigious places as the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This couple’s story is as interesting as the pottery they produced together.  They were both born in Vienna, Austria in 1908.  Each of them had ceramics experience before they met.  But the combination of her imaginative design and his talent with glazes resulted in a product much more stunning than they could create separately.  March 11, 1938 was a turning point for Otto and Gertrud.  That morning they received a letter telling them they had been awarded the silver medal at the Paris International Exposition, and that afternoon the Nazis invaded Austria.  Later that year, they married and fled to California.  Gertrud’s potter’s wheel and Otto’s small electric kiln were among the belongings that were shipped to them from Vienna.  The Natzlers opened their first workshop in Los Angeles and began making the pottery that would become their legacy.

The Natzlers’ mid-century American art pottery is highly collectible today and often goes for record amounts at auction.  When a collection of 9 pieces of Natzler was featured on a 2008 episode of Antiques Road Show, it’s appraised value was between $44,500 and $68,500.  A Natzler piece is a valuable part of any California or American studio ceramics collection.

Just Art Pottery

We have received a lot of questions regarding the modern Teco Art Pottery Collection that we are starting to carry on Just Art Pottery.  This past weekend I had the opportunity to see some of the first examples from the collection and must say they are very high quality.  In terms of size, shape, color and glaze they are very close to original Teco Pottery.  The matte green glaze was high quality as I expected.  However, the brown, blue and yellow glazes are particularly appealing.  The modern Teco is also very clearly marked such that there can be no confusion with original, antique Teco pottery. 

We anticipate having inventory available to ship to customers within the next 2 to 3 weeks. 

Greg Myroth

Just Art Pottery is pleased to announce we are now taking preorders for the soon to be released modern Teco Art Pottery Collection.  The modern Teco collection is a line of high quality reproductions that maintains the integrity of original, antique Teco Pottery. 

Each piece from the Teco Art Pottery Collection is produced in the United States.  Each of the vases in the Collection is hallmarked with the company logo as a guarantee of quality and authenticity and to ensure no confusion with original, antique Teco Pottery.  The initial offering of the Teco Art Pottery Collection includes the following seven vases. 

Modern Teco Art Pottery Collection (From Left to Right)

1. Teco Art Pottery Collection 4 1/2" Kiss Vase  $45.00
2. Teco Art Pottery 6 1/2" Two-Handled Buttress Vase $50.00
3. Teco Art Pottery Collection 8" Orb Vase $75.00
4. Teco Art Pottery Collection 13" Double Gourd Vase $165.00
5. Teco Art Pottery Collection 16" Classic Floor Vase $115.00
6. Teco Art Pottery Collection 10 1/2" 4 Buttress Vase $95.00
7. Teco Art Pottery Collection 8 1/2" Rocket Vase $60.00

Each modern Teco Art Pottery Collection vase is available in the following colors:

• Teco green
• Teco blue
• Teco yellow
• Dark Brown
• White
• Natural

Place your order now for shipment in mid August 2007.

Greg Myroth – Shop Teco Art Pottery Collection

The ceramics produced by Polia Pillin continue to gain increasing interest from mid century modern art pottery collectors. In the years since Polia’s death, her art pottery has appreciated significantly in value. Pillin’s work is often decorated with abstract figures of women, birds, trees, fish, horses, and related characters. Pillin’s undecorated examples often exhibit striking and complex glazes.

Polia Pillin perfected the technique of painting on wet clay with colored clays. After decorating each pot, the pottery was fired then covered with transparent glaze and re-fired. The end result was abstract art on a piece of pottery with a luminous, glass like finish that is unmistakably recognizable.

Polia Pillin was born in Poland in 1909. She came to America in 1924 and settled in Chicago. While in Chicago, Polia studied painting and sculpture. In the late 1920s, Polia married William Pillin.

Polia gained an interest in decorating ceramics in the 1930s and produced her first art pottery in the early 1940s. Pillin first work at Hull House but moved her studio to her Chicago apartment in 1946. In 1948, William and Polia moved to Los Angeles. Initially Polia worked out of a small studio set up at the Pillin’s home. As interest and demand for Pillin Pottery increased, the family moved to a larger location.

William Pillin worked closely with Polia in the production of art pottery. William assisted Polia by throwing and firing pottery and assisting with the development of glazes.

William was also a recognized poet; publishing nine collections of poetry in his lifetime. William passed away in 1985. Polia passed away 1992.

Pillin pottery is typically marked Pillin in stylized letters. Pieces thrown and glazed by William are marked W+P.

Shop for Pillin Pottery

Greg Myroth