North Carolina has had a pottery industry since
colonial times. Potters settled in the Catawba
Valley before the Civil War. Today there
are many traditional folk potters working in the Catawba Valley and surrounding
areas. Potters are located in Valdese, Lenoir, Hickory, Morganton,
Lincolnton, and Vale. Today the Catawba Valley is known as one of the
Folk pottery centers of the nation. More than a dozen potters
throw traditional alkaline glazed wares, and there are many studio potters in
the area as well. The majority of the Catawba Valley potters
are concentrated along Highway 10, Southeast of Hickory, between Newton
and Vale.
Burlon Craig, perhaps the best known of the Southern Folk potters, passed away in 2002. Steve Abee, Charles Lisk, Kim Ellington, Albert Hodge, Joe Reinhardt, Michelle Flowers, Ben Allman, Walter Fleming, Ray Hicks, Richard Kale, Bolick Pottery, and many others all have potteries in the area.
North Carolina Pottery takes many forms.
The picture above shows an assortment of NC pottery, the jug in the middle front is a traditional whiskey jug, probably dating to the late 1800s, the blue and tan pitcher is a Hilton blue edge piece, the small swirl jug and large snake face jug are by Burlon Craig, and the large Tobacco Spit jar in the back is by an unknown Catawba Valley Potter. Tobacco Spit is how some collectors refer to the ash alkaline glaze used on traditional Catawba Valley Pottery.
Perhaps the most unique piece of southern pottery is the Face Jug. The history of southern face jugs starts with slave potters in the Edgefield region of South Carolina before the Civil War. Face jugs have been made in North Carolina since the early 1900s, and some may have been made even earlier. Today it is one of the most popular Catawba valley pieces.
(Click on the pictures to see larger versions)
Older Pottery
6 gallon storage jar by Sylvanus Leander Hartsoe, 1850-1926, Lincoln and Catawba
county. Alkaline glazed, reduction firing. Marked SLH on the handle. A beautiful example of the
transitional shape. Not quite the full ovoid of the earlier Catawba Valley
potters, but yet not quite the more cylindrical shape of the later.
A good example of a 1 gallon, early, Catawba Valley Whiskey jug, circa 1880s-1900. Alkaline glaze. Reduction firing, iron in the clay, wood ash in
the glaze, and a hot smoky fire produced this unique glaze. Unmarked. Few local
potters marked all of their ware. In fact most only marked a very small amount.
Some potters felt it was taking too much pride in their simple dirt dishes and
stoneware jugs to mark them. Some felt it was an extra step, and not
worth the extra work. Also when alcohol was so
heavily taxed, potters were making jugs for the moonshine trade, they
didn't mark many jugs on purpose so the revenue agents wouldn't track them
down.
Beautiful small alkaline glazed jug, 10" tall. A fantastic example of what
I call the transitional shape of Catawba Valley Whiskey jugs. Looks to have been
made by the same potter as the larger jug above. 1/2 gallon.
3 Gallon storage jar and 1/2 gallon jug. I think the jar is older than the
jug. Both ash alkaline glaze. The jug was once used to hold molasses (took me
half an hour to clean the residue). Jar stands 14 1/4 inches tall, jug is right
at 9 inches.
Typical form for a North Carolina Milk Crock. Used in the spring house to cool
and separate milk. Notice the white and blue in the close-up, this is rutile,
which is a naturally occurring mineral in some NC pottery clay. About 1 gallon
in size.
A little later NC whiskey jug, circa 1900-1920s. Darker
glaze which may contain more iron cinders, and have resulted from more air in
the kiln. 1 gallon size.
Small milk or cream pitcher, early North Carolina. Decorated with a couple of
incised lines. 1 pint in capacity.
3 Gallon Vinson churn or jar. Oyama, NC circa 1930s. Slip glaze.
Harry C. Kale storage jar, Bandy Crossroad, Catawba County North Carolina. Born
in 1912 Harry Kale worked for Casey Meaders at his pottery shop at Bandy's
Crossroads in 1924-1926. He became a minister, and when he retired in 1977 and
Burlon Craig helped him get started as a potter. Contemporary potter Richard
Kale is his son. 8 inches tall x 7 inches across (not counting handles).
Alkaline glaze with a thick overglaze of some type on it. Marked on bottom H.C.
Kale Bandy X Road, N.C. In my years of selling pottery, this is the first piece
I have seen that was from this potter.
5 Gallon storage jar or crock. These jars were used to make wine, kraut, pickles
and for storage of fruits, dry goods, and more. Alkaline glaze, Catawba Valley,
North Carolina. Notice the blue rutile in the second photo, this picture also
illustrate the texture of the alkaline glaze, and also the normal imperfections
you will see. Here a blister popped during firing. Some water or air was in the
clay, expanded, and burst during firing. The third picture illustrates something
else that is characteristic of some Catawba valley pottery. Notice the rings on
the bottom, gradually getting smaller as it gets near the top right of the
bottom. This is where a potter used a piece of wire, crossed over itself, drawn
tight, to cut the pottery off the potter's wheel.
Nice 3 Gallon North Carolina pottery jar, alkaline glaze, beautiful glaze runs.
Two incised lines around the shoulder. 13 1/4 inches tall, 10 1/2 inches
wide.
Rufus Franklin Outen 3 gallon churn. Strange green glaze on the exterior, no
glaze on the interior. Marked on the bottom "R.F. Outen 04/17/73. 15 inches
tall, 9 inches from handle to handle. Low fired earthenware. R.F.
Outen lived from 1905-1984 and had his pottery in Matthews, Mecklenburg County,
North Carolina. His father, William Franklin Outen, and brothers, John Gordon
Outen and Kenneth Outen, were all potters.
Tiny alkaline glazed Child's Mug. 2 1/4 inches tall. Early. Unsigned.
Typical form for a Catawba Valley canning or storage jar. Unmarked, beautiful
ash alkaline glaze. Probably circa 1870-1910. 12 1/4 tall and 5 3/4 inches
across. You can see on the bottom where it was cut from the wheel with a
wire.
Beautiful small cream pitcher. Around one pint in capacity. This little pitcher
with its graceful form, thin walls, and beautiful glaze epitomizes the typical
form of the Catawba Valley pitcher. Decorated wth three incised lines. 6 1/2
inches tall.
Hilton Pottery
John Wesley Helton is the first proven potter in the Hilton family tree. Apparently in the early days Hilton and Helton were used interchangeably, the family later kept the I in their name. He served in the Civil War from Catawba County. After the war he was a farmer and a potter. Several of John Wesley Helton's sons and descendents became potters. His Brother, Robert Jehu Helton was not a potter but several of his descendents became potters. John Wesley's pottery was located On Highway 10, near Propst Crossroads. At first the Hiltons made mainly utilitarian pottery. But Ernest Auburn Hilton started making dinnerware and art pottery, perhaps what the Hiltons are best known for today. Ernest Auburn moved his pottery in 1935 to McDowell county, near Marion, North Carolina. Probably because US Highway 70 ran through Marion on its way to the resorts around Asheville, North Carolina.
Three Hilton family flower frogs. A traditional form of pottery for the North
Carolina area, used to arrange flowers. Each about 6-8 inches across. One blue
edge, one solid blue, and the third the unglazed exterior of the Hilton Catawba
Indian pottery.
Green Hilton Flower frog. The only solid green one I have seen. Beautiful glaze.
5 3/4 inches across.
Alkaline glazed pottery double handled vase. Catawba Valley. Unmarked, the color of the glaze, and the way
the item was cut from the wheel make me think Hilton. Some rutile in the glaze.
9 1/2 inches tall.
This is a form of pottery from the Catawba Valley, glazed on the inside,
unglazed on the outside. Made by the Propst, Hilton, and Reinhardt families. I
suspect this one is probably Hilton due to the shape, and inside glaze. 1920s.
The Hiltons called this Catawba Indian Ware, though it really had nothing to do
with the Catawba Indians and only bears a slight resemblance to their
pottery.
Hilton miniature blue edge pitcher. 2 1/4 inches tall. The Hiltons made many miniatures, figurines, and even dolls.
You will see similar pottery to the Hilton blue edge wear marked Melmar pottery. Well there is a good reason for this, the latest research says the Hiltons made Melmar pottery for a food distributor that used the Melmar name.
Reinhardt Brothers Pottery, Vale, North Carolina
Harvey Ford Reinhardt (1912-1960) and Enoch William Alexander Reinhardt (1903-1978). The Reinhardts ran the pottery together in the 1930s, up until 1936 when Harvey opened his own shop, which he ran until he left to do war work during WW II. Enoch continued running the pottery until 1946. Burlon Craig bought Harvey Reinhardt's house, kiln, and shop.
4 Gallon Reinhardt Brothers Churn. 18 inches tall, alkaline glazed, wood
fired.
Unmarked Reinhardt Brothers Churn double stamped 4 gallons, 18 inches tall.
Looks like it was underfired as the glaze did not turn glossy.
10 inch tall Catawba valley pitcher. I cannot say who made it for sure, but it
was bought with the two Reinhardt churns above, and it looks like a Reinhardt
glaze.
Early Propst or Reinhardt swirled clay beanpot with lid. Approx. 8 inches
across. Some rutile in the clay. Cut off the wheel with a wire. Circa
1920s-1940s? Unmarked.
Burlon B. Craig Pottery, Catawba County, Vale, North Carolina
Mr. Craig was perhaps the dean of
contemporary folk potters. He carried the folk pottery tradition forward from the 1930s to modern times.
To me, as important as the skill of his potting, even more important is the very
fact he kept local pottery alive. He preserved the methods, styles, and
folklore in an unbroken chain, from the potters of the past, to the potters of
the present. Without him, we probably would not have folk
pottery being made in the Catawba Valley today.
Mr. Craig was an excellent glazer, and he was very skilled at firing his kiln. . Some of his glazes are top notch, and he almost never ruined a kiln. Often at kiln openings Burlon would go in the house as he could bear to see folks disagreeing over pottery, I often think Mr. Craig was mystified at the popularity of his pottery, often I think he regretted charging what he did for it. I know others had to fight him tooth and nail to get him to raise his price, even in the face of the fact folks were doubling and tripling their money on kiln opening day right in the road in front of his house. Up until the late 1970s it was a struggle even to get him to sign his pottery, he felt it was taking too much pride in an old piece of dirt to "stomp" it. Plus it was an extra step, and further risk of damaging a piece. Before the 1970s, little of Burlon's pottery was marked , the few pieces signed from before this period, were signed using a nail, or some sharp instrument. I have seen pieces marked both Burlon B. Craig, and just BB. Craig. Some time during the 1970s legend goes that Rodney Cline had a BBC stamp carved for Burlon, and that was when they first started stamping. A later stamp says "B.B. Craig Vale, NC".
Mr. Craig passed away Sunday, July 7, 2002, he will be missed. Mr. Craig's son, Don Craig, and grandson, Dwayne Craig, are both potters.
1/2 Gallon Burlon Craig Swirl Face Jug. This jug was made in the mid 1990s.
Late 1970s, early 1980s Burlon Craig 1/2 Gallon face jug. Alkaline glaze, wood
fired.
2 Gallon churn or storage jar, probably 1970s,showing Burlon's distinctive shape and collar. Another
distinguishing feature is shown in the second photograph. Often, but not always,
Mr. Craig stamped the gallons on his churns twice, under, and above and to the
right of the handle. This churn is marked on the bottom with the BBC stamp.
Alkaline glaze, wood fired. Many of Mr. Craig's churns will not be marked,
and you will see them in both alkaline and Albany slip glazes. The largest
I have seen was 6 gallons, and the smallest made for use, 1 gallon. Mr. Craig
did make miniature churns. The churn lid Mr. Craig made was also a bit
distinctive, hopefully I will be able to show one soon.
Another Burlon Craig churn, 4 gallons, unmarked, but this churn also shows the
double stamped size, and the distinctive collar. Dark almost black glaze, which
I think was iron cinders and slip. 1940s-1950s, probably.
5 Gallon Burlon Craig churn. Unmarked, but has the distinctive collar, and
double 5 gallon stamp. Alkaline glaze, wood fired. A beautiful example. 18 1/2
inches tall, 12 inches in diameter.
1 Gallon Burlon Craig churn or jar. Unmarked. Albany slip glaze, some places on
the jar where the glaze did not adhere. Lighter clay than usual. Has finger and
thumb smudges around the bottom where it was gripped by Burlon as he dipped it
in the glaze.
Something you don't see very often, 5 Craig churns in a row. 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1
gallons respectively. The third and fourth from the left are almost identical in
size, yet they are marked 3 and 2 gallons, clearly.
One of the more unusual forms I have seen from Mr. Craig. This is a bird house.
Similar in style to the one in the third picture which came from the
Williamsburg pottery (possibly made by the Cole family, or this shape was
learned from the Coles). 9 inches tall, 5 1/2 inches across. The cut out in the
back was for cleaning, and for hanging on a nail or peg (as shown in the third
photo), has the pierced tab off the lip to insert a twig for a perch. This is
the only one like this I have seen from Burlon. It is not marked as BB Craig, or
BBC, but the fact it is marked with Vale NC, is a give-away. Iron cinder and
Albany slip glaze, some spots of rutile. Mr. Craig did make other forms of bird
houses.
Unmarked B.B. Craig pitcher. 10 inches high. Slip glaze.
8 Inch Burlon Craig Snake Jug. Marked B.B. Craig, Vale North Carolina on the
bottom. One thing unusual about this one is that is uses a tan clay.
12 inch tall Burlon Craig vase. Painted swirl, meaning the swirl is done in the
glaze, not with the clay. Mr. Craig also added some incised wavy lines for
decoration. The blue ran on this vase, and to me added to its character.
Miniature pitcher. I am 99% sure Burlon made this, though it is unmarked. Early
little pitcher. Slip and iron cinder glaze. 3 1/4 inches tall.
Burlon Craig Pottery Festival Annual festival celebrating Mr. Craig and Catawba Valley Pottery
O'Henry Pottery and E.J. Brown Pottery, Valdese & Connelly Springs, North Carolina
There is some confusion over whether the O'Henry Pottery was in Valdese, or in Connelly Springs where E.J. later had his pottery.
Circa 1937-1951 Valdese and Connelly Springs, North Carolina. Owned by Anderson Mitchell Church. The chief potter was Evan Javan Brown (b. 1897 – d. 1980), other known potters include Edward Brown (b.1917 – d. ?) and McGruder Bishop (b. ? – d.1970).
The pottery was named after the author O’Henry, a pen name for William Sydney Porter, born in Greensboro, NC (b. 1862-d.1910). O'Henry was a prolific writer who produced more than 600 short stories in his life.
O’Henry pottery was marked Valdese, but was actually made in Connelly Springs. Part of the pottery building still stands beside Highway 70 West of Connelly Springs, NC. This road, and its destination to the resort areas around Asheville are the main reason for the O'Henry pottery to open in Connelly Springs, right on Highway 70.
Stamp: O’Henry Pottery Valdese, NC also sometimes Hand Made E.J. Brown.
Art Pottery, dinnerware, churns, crocks, jars, jugs, face Jugs, flower pots, and utility pieces were all made in the pottery. Terra Cotta (unglazed) flowerpots, strawberry jars, and large Rebecca jugs and porch vases were made. Stoneware and earthenware clays were used, some locally dug. Alkaline glaze, Albany slip, Bristol and colored glazes were all used.
E.J. Brown was the most prolific potter at O’Henry. He had learned to pot at his father's , James Osborn Brown's, shop in Atlanta, GA, and had potted in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and both North and South Carolina. In 1951 A.M. Church sold the pottery to E. J. Brown. E.J. continued to run the pottery for some years as the Brown Pottery, Valdese, NC before moving to Arden, NC just outside of Asheville. His son , Evan Brown Jr. ran Evan’s Pottery until his death in 2002.. EJ. Brown was the Son of James Osborn Brown of Atlanta, GA. Evan was the brother of Davis Brown of Arden, North Carolina. Davis and E.J. started the Brown Pottery there which is still in operation today.
O' Henry Pottery, E.J. Brown, Valdese North Carolina. A good example of the
later stacker form of jug, in miniature. 1940s?. They were called stackers due to
the rim you see below the neck, a round tile could be put there, and another jug
stacked on top of that for firing. Slip glaze.
Brown glazed mug, 4 inches. Stamped O'Henry Pottery, Valdese, NC Hand Made E.J.
Bown.
10 inch vase, O'Henry Pottery, unglazed exterior, glazed interior.
8 3/4" vase, E.J. Brown, unglazed.
6 1/4" mug, E.J. Brown Hand Made stamp. Bristol glaze, with wonderful brown
drip edging.
9 1/4" Pie Plate, Chromium yellow glaze. E.J. Brown Hand Made.
8 inch pitcher, White Bristol glaze with blue sponging. E.J. Brown Hand Made
stamp.
Contemporary Catawba Valley Pottery
Contemporary face jug by Charles Lisk, Charlie is a skilled potter who has been
working in Vale for many years. Every one of his face jugs is a bit different. 1
gallon size.
Kim Ellington, Vale, North Carolina. The first jar is 11 inches tall and 10
inches wide, 2 gallons. This was fired at Hart's Square by Kim. . The second is
9 1/2 inches, 1 gallon and came from his kiln in Vale.
Two painted swirl vases by Steve Abee of Lenoir, North Carolina. Painted swirl
is done with glaze decoration to look like pottery made with multicolored clays
that form a natural swirl pattern. Steve does do swirled clay pieces as well. He
is a very talented pottery who makes great face jugs, vases, and much more.
These two are 7 inches high and 7 inches wide.
Contemporary Face Pitcher by Walter Fleming of Statesville North Carolina.
Notice the swirls go the opposite of most potters, this is because Walter is
left handed.
Richard Kale of Catawba North Carolina. Contemporary applied dogwood decoration,
traditional alkaline glaze. 1 gallon size.
Joe Reinhardt - Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil three face jug. Swirl
decoration, 3 handles. Made in 1996. 9 inches tall. Joe is a contemporary potter
, descendent of the Reinhardt family of potters in the Catawba Valley.
Gary Delp, Valdese, NC. Gary was a pottery teacher for many years who recently
retired. He now makes pottery in his spare time. First one is 7 inches tall,
second is around 13 inches. Wonderful expressions!
Michael Ball double face jug. Normal face on one side, devil on the other.
Alkaline glazed. 12 inches tall. His pottery is located in Vale, NC.
Ben Allman. Ben is a potter form Conover. Wonderful red glaze. 9 inches.
Richard Wright, Lenoir, NC. Richard fires several times a year in his wood fired
ground hog kiln. Wonderful ovoid forms, the pitcher and jar are both around 19
inches tall, and the pitcher is almost 20 inches across. The bowl is right at 24
inches. Marked RWW as shown in two of the pictures.
Tammy Leigh and David Bellar , Hickory, North Carolina. Absolutely spectacular form to
this vase, wonderful modeling of the grapes and grape leaves. 13 inches tall. Stoneware
clay.
Kathy Kennedy Richards, Lincolnton, NC
Kathy is a wonderful potter from Lincolnton, North Carolina. She makes very unique types of pottery. Unusual shapes, forms, and more. Kathy is a fourth generation potter. Her Great Grandfather Julius Alexander Kennedy, grandfather D. Alexander Kennedy, founded the Kennedy pottery in Wilkesboro.
Handmade pottery souvenir jug, 3 inches tall. Drexel Grapevine Antiques. I had Kathy make some of these wonderful little jugs
for my shop.
This is the first swirl face jug I have had from Kathy, made of swirled white
and red clay. 5 inches tall.
This is one of Kathy's most unique type of pottery. I call it a Vinegar Hag. The
head lifts off and it is a bottle. This one has a snake around her shoulders. 8
inches.
Both of these face jugs are miniatures. The larger around 2
1/2 inches, the smaller around 1 inch. She also makes chickens, wall pockets,
vinegar hags, and other pottery.
Wonderful Jughead kitty. Made out of two jugs jointed together. 6 1/2
inches.
Seagrove and Sanford Area Pottery
There are many potteries in the eastern part of the state around Seagrove and Sanford. These include the famous Jugtown Pottery, Owen's Potteries, and many more.
North State Pottery, Sanford NC
North State Pottery, Sanford, North Carolina. North State was in operation from
1924-1959. This mark was used from 1938-1959. Various potters worked at the
North State Pottery over the years including many members of the Owens (Owen) family.
This particular piece of pottery came from a sale of Dorothy Auman's collection
sold by the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC. 7 inches tall Rebecca pitcher,
unusual mottled yellow glaze.
Very
unusual glaze on this North State vase. 6 inches tall.
Unusual unglazed jug with the older North State Mark, 1920s. 6 inches
tall.
Four
very unusual pieces of Walter N. Owen (1904-1981) pottery. Walter is not known
to have signed many pieces of his pottery, and here are four signed examples
together. The largest pitcher is just over 10 inches. Walter worked at North
State pottery from 1925 until 1977 so most of his pottery bore the North State
stamp.
Beautiful small (6 inch) Walter N, Owen vase, showing his unique drip
glaze.
Pair of Joe Owen (1910-1986)Candlesticks, each 7 inches tall. Joe's pottery is
hard to find.
16 1/2 inch tall Joe Owen Rebecca pitcher. Beautiful brown glaze with green highlights.
Coggle wheel decoration. Beautiful patio ewer.
The Seagrove Pottery, Dorothy Auman. Various potters worked for Dorothy over the
years. This is a beautiful 7 inch tall Mason's blue Ku shaped vase, and a small
mottled green pitcher. Dorothy and her husband died in1991 and the pottery was
closed.
The famous "Frog In Mug" from the Seagrove pottery. Attributed to
Dorothy Cole Auman.1960s-1970s? Cute as could be. 3 1/2 inches tall. Marked
"Seagrove Frog in Mug".
Seagrove Pottery birdhouse, yellow chrome glaze, 7 1/2 inches tall. , run by
Dorothy Cole Auman. You can see the Cole glaze in this piece brought over from
Dorothy's family.
8 inch tall early eastern North Carolina Salt Glazed Pitcher. Unmarked.
J.D. Craven salt glazed stoneware storage or canning jar, 1/2 gallon, repaired
lip. Probably 1870-1890 period. Randolph County, and later Moore County,
North Carolina. Jacob Dorris Craven 1826-1895.
Some
small representatives of the Cole Family pottery. The largest 5 inches.
C.C. Cole The rainbow piece in the middle is probably C.C. Cole, the others by
various Cole family members. All unmarked.
Cole vase showing the distinctive glaze, and the marks of a belt sander the
Coles often used to clean off the bottom of their pottery.
Wonderful little Cole jug. Shows the characteristic three stilt marks, and belt
sanding, typical of Cole pottery. Probably J.B. Cole. 4 inches tall.
Beautiful, unmarked, Cole family vase. My thinking is Weyman or J.B. Cole.
Notice the three marks on the bottom, made by a kiln setter. Also notice the
characteristic sanding where they ground the base flat and removed excess glaze.
5 1/2 inches.
M.L.
Owens (b. 1917 - d. 2003), Seagrove, NC. M.L.'s shop was located in Seagrove, and he
worked at many different potteries over the years. 10 inches.
Melvin Lee Owens passed away April 5th, 2003 he was 85 years old.. Mr. Owens was one of the potters that helped make the transition in North Carolina from utilitarian pottery to art pottery and dinnerware. M.L. was a gentleman, I met him twice, both times he had time to discuss the history of local pottery and his pots with me. He will be missed.
Jugtown Pottery - Seagrove, NC
Jugtown pottery was born in 1917 when Jacques and Juliana Busbee decided they
could add an artistic flair to the early utility pottery made in the Randolph
and Moore County areas of North Carolina. Before the Great Depression Jugtown
Pottery even had a store in New York city to sell their wares. Many potters have
gotten their start at Jugtown, or worked at Jugtown over the years. Among those
are J.H. Owen who was the first potter. Ben Owens, Charlie Teague, Charlie
Moore, Boyce Yow, Nancy Sweezy. and others. The pottery has changed ownership
several times, but continues in operation today. Vernon Owens is the owner and chief
potter. He has been at the pottery since 1960. His wife, Pam and
son, Travis, are both potters.
15" tall vase made by Vernon Owens in 2006. Peach Bloom glaze with Chinese
blue overlay on the top.
9 1/2 inch vase made by Vernon Owens in 2006. Shows a brighter variation of the
Peach Bloom glaze ad Chinese Blue glaze on the top.
10 1/2 inch tall double handled vase made by Vernon's son, Travis Owens, in 2006
Chinese Blue glaze.
1980 Jugtown Pottery, Seagrove, NC. Cream and Sugar, each 5 1/2 inches
tall. Jugtown is one of the oldest art potteries in North Carolina and continues
in operation today. Ben Owens, Vernon Owens, and many other potters have learned
their craft, and worked at the Jugtown pottery over the years.
Jugtown Pottery Rooster. Salt glaze. 1989 by Charlie Moore. 8 1/2 inches tall.
Rooster figurines have been part of Southern Pottery for many years. Charlie
died on January 9th, 2007, he had worked at the Jugtown Pottery in Seagrove off
and on since 1952. Before about 1962 it mostly was just part time helping
set the kiln. After 1962 he worked as an employee, glazing and setting the kiln.
I do not know when he started making his animals, most I have seen were dated in
the 1980s-1990s.
Beautiful Dover Pottery Crysstalline vase. 6 inches tall, 5 1/2 inches across.
1993 made by Al McCanless, Dover Pottery, Seagrove, North Carolina. .
Crystalline pottery is a difficult glazing and firing process, only the most
skilled potters have been able to duplicate it you have to have very precise
temperatures in your kiln.
Here is a shot of various small pottery in one of the showcases at my shop.
Mostly North Carolina. It makes an interesting display.
Asheville Area Pottery
There have also been potteries located around Asheville North Carolina for more than 100 years. The Pisgah Forest, Penland, Brown, and Bachelder potteries all operated in that region. The Asheville and Hendersonville areas of North Carolina became desirable resort destinations with the development of railroads, and later automobile roads into Western North Carolina. As the wealthy moved there, or established summer homes there, art, and artisans moved in. As evidenced by the number of weavers, potters, and other artisans that moved to the area. There also was increased interest in 'mountain" crafts and etc. Potters took advantage of this. And it had a wide influence. US Highway 70 was a major east west highway across America, once running from coast to coast. It fed Asheville from the East and West. This road, and its destination to the resort areas around Asheville are the main reason the Hiltons moved their pottery to Marion, NC, and for the O'Henry pottery to open in Connelly Springs, both on Highway 70.
Pisgah Forest Pottery
Pisgah Forest pottery, Arden, North Carolina. Walter Stephen started making
pottery at the Nonconnah pottery that he started with his mother. About 1926 he
changed the name to the Pisgah Forest pottery. None for his unusual shapes, and
glazes, Mr. Stephen was known for his crystalline glaze, and for the Wedgwood
style pate de sur pate style of his Cameo Ware. The back stamp is from the turquoise
vase on the left. The three examples here are all of Walter Stephen's own
hand.
This small pitcher is a very crude example of Walter Stephen's Cameo. It was
made in 1961, which was the year Walter Stephen passed away. After Mr. Stephen's
passing, Pisgah Forest pottery has continued in operation to this day.
Pisgah Forest Pottery mug. In the 1930s-1950s a lady named Nancy Jones, who
lived near the pottery, taught local women to paint on China and pottery.
The pieces were then fired with a clear glaze at the pottery. Kelsey was
probably one of her students. The Pisgah mark is faint, but enough to show the
potter at the wheel, and some of the letters in Pisgah Forest. A little over 2
inches. Very unusual little piece, and the first handpainted Pisgah piece I have
seen.
Penland's Pottery Candler, North Carolina. Near Asheville. The Penland Pottery
opened in 1840 and closed 105 years later in 1945. This small vase, slip glazed,
was probably made in the 1930s-1940s. Known best for their utility pottery, this
is an unusual piece as they did not make a great deal of art pottery. Double
stamped on the bottom "Penland's Pottery Candler, N.C. 5 1/4"
tall, 4 1/4" wide. Very nice form and glaze.
Other North Carolina Related Pottery
Not really Catawba Valley, but these are examples of Native American pottery
from the area. The large black multiple peace pipe was made by John Bigmeat, a
Cherokee potter, and is contemporary. The two smaller pieces on the right are
Catawba or Cherokee pottery, made to sell to tourists, probably 1930s.
"Drink Key & Co's Old Fashioned N.C. Hand Made Corn Whiskey
Statesville, N.C." is what is inscribed on this little pottery
sample/advertising jug. Slip glaze. May have been made in North Carolina, but
also may have been made elsewhere. I have found out they were in business from
the 1870s-about 1900. They were the largest whiskey distributor in North
Carolina, and the found was the great nephew of Francis Scott Key who wrote the
Star Spangled Banner. Slightly under 3 inches tall.
There were also potteries in Old Salem, Bethabara and Wachovia near Winston Salem in the 1700s. Sometimes referred to as Moravian pottery. There also were potters working in the eastern part of North Carolina in colonial days.
Some Pottery I Am Researching
(Maybe you can help?)
Mini salt glazed crock with cobalt decoration. It almost seems there is a raised
S in the center of the decoration in the first photo, and possibly two other
letters, one on each side., but I can't be sure. Craven? M.L. Owens? Someone
else? Bought here in North Carolina from an estate. Has the characteristic
orange peel look of salt glaze pottery, but also some greenish places in the
glaze. Stoneware clay. 1 3/4 inches tall, 2 1/2 inches across handle to handle.
Miniature milk or cream crock?
Other Southern Pottery of Interest
"Jos L Friedman & Co Paducah KY Vinegars" is what it says on this
small jug. Albany slip glazed. 3 inches tall. Couple of very small glaze chips on the handle and
lip. Joseph
L. Friedman was a businessman in Paducah. In 1878 he induced his father to come
to Paducah and establish a vinegar factory. The factory was sold in 1890, and
the name changed. I expect this was a sample jug for advertising.
Some of the pottery on this page is for sale in my shop, some is pottery I have sold, some is from my collection, or pictures used by the courtesy of others. If you have any questions about the availability of any of the pottery on this page, e-mail me. Most of the larger pieces I would not be willing to ship. Also check the pottery sales pages on my site for pottery I am selling online.
If you have any questions about pottery, or want more information, I will be glad to help you if I can:
Books on North Carolina and types of traditional pottery.
Catawba Clay: Contemporary Southern Face Jug Makers by Barry G. Huffman.
An excellent book on modern face jug makers of North Carolina. Great pictures.
89 pages. Soft bound, 8 1/2 x 11 inches. 2nd Printing 1999. Out of print.I have
a few copies left in stock. $22.95 plus shipping. Please e-mail me to
order.
Two Centuries of Potters A Catawba Valley Tradition, Bill Beam, Jason
Harpe, Scott Smith, and David Springs. From the Lincoln County Historical
Association. This was a catalog of an exhibit held by the Historical Association
in 1999. 8 1/2 x 11 inches, soft cover, 115 pages. An incredible collection of
pottery, wonderful photographs, many unusual pieces. An invaluable reference
guide for identifying Catawba Valley Pottery. Also articles on the history of
local pottery, and
more. Now out of print. I do have a few copies left in stock. $30.00
plus shipping. Please e-mail me to order.
The Books below are From Amazon.com, and will provide ideal references for the pottery collector or dealer.
The first book, Turners & Burners is the best reference available on Catawba Valley Pottery, it also touches upon other North Carolina pottery areas. The North Carolina Art Pottery book is new, and should provide a valuable reference. New Ways for Old Jugs provides information on Jugtown pottery in Seagrove, North Carolina. Brothers In Clay and Raised In Clay both deal mainly with Georgia folk pottery. I Made This Jar and Great & Nobel Jar are about the potteries in Edgefield South Carolina, before, and during, the civil war. North Carolina Pottery the Collection of the Mint Museum shows a very nice selection of North Carolina pottery, with very good information and pictures. The Potter's Eye was done after an exhibit at the mint museum and shows pottery selected because of its form as well as function down through history.
Handmade: A History of the North State Pottery by Willard D. Morton, Jr. A wonderful book on the North State Pottery, many beautiful pictures. Contact the address below for availability and price.
North State Pottery Historical Project
P.O. Box 16072
Chapel Hill, NC 27516-6072
The following books are out of print, but if you can find them online, or from a rare book dealer, buy them.
Potters of the Catawba Valley Daisy Wade Bridges.
Ceramic Circle of Charlotte, from an exhibit at the Mint Museum
in Charlotte in 1980.
North Carolina and Southern Folk Pottery William W. Ivey, Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery, Seagrove Pottery Festival, 1992
Index of Southern Potters Howard A. Smith, 1982 and 1986, Old America Company. An invaluable list of North Carolina and Southern Potters, their locations, dates they are known to have potted, and their marks.
The Traditional Potters of Seagrove, North Carolina and Surrounding Areas by Robert C. Lock. Many beautiful pictures, information, also many pictures of potter's marks.
Crossroads of Clay: The Southern Alkaline Glazed Stoneware Tradition Catherine Wilson Horne. McKissick Museum, Columbia, South Carolina. 1990. The emphasis of this book is on pottery from the Edgefield district of South Carolina. An invaluable reference.
The Moravian Potters in North Carolina by John Bivins, Jr. part of the Old Salem Series, University of North Carolina Press, 1972. Hardcover, 297 pages. Colonial pottery made in the Winston Salem area of North Carolina at Bethabara, Salem, and Wachovia.
North Carolina Pottery Websites and Information:
Pottery Festivals
Catawba Valley Pottery Festival held annually in Hickory, North Carolina.
Burlon Craig Pottery Festival Held annually in October. Saturday, October 20, 2007 "Burlon Craig Fest Pottery Festival is held every year at the Craig Home Place in Vale, NC. It is sponsored by Don and Dwayne Craig (Burlon Craig's Son and Grandson) and friends. The festival is a celebration of Burlon Craig's tradition of pottery in Catawba Valley, N.C. The Craig kiln will be fired on the day of the festival. "
Seagrove Pottery Festival, November, Seagrove, NC. For more info Call (336) 873-7304
Potters
Catawba Valley Pottery of North Carolina One of the best websites about contemporary folk pottery. home of Steve Abee, potter. Steve also has an e-mail newsletter with kiln opening dates and etc. Steve's pottery is located in Caldwell County, Cajah's Mountain, south of Lenoir.
M.D. Flowers Pottery
Michelle Flowers' pottery is located in Nebo, North Carolina, just to the west
of Morganton. Nebo, N.C. 28761 Phone:
828-584-9966 E-mail mdflowers@vistatech.net
Albert Hodge Pottery Albert's pottery is located in Vale, NC (704)-462-1411
Traditions Pottery 443 Bolick Road Lenoir, NC Phone: 828.295.5099 calhoun@traditionspottery.com
Kim Ellington Pottery 7110 W. Hwy 10 Vale, NC 704-462-2067 gke@kimellingtonpottery.com
Kathy Kennedy Richards 1202 Bolton Lane Lincolnton, NC 28092 704-732-3670 krpotts@aol.com
David Bellar Pottery Truly spectacular
forms and glazes. 2106 4th St. N.E.
Hickory, N.C. Phone: 828.328.9389 david@carolinapottery.com
Jeff Young Pottery
"Jeff Young lives in Vale, N.C. - an area known as the Catawba Valley
Pottery region. He produces wood fired folk pottery. His traditional line of
pottery uses hand dug clay, ash glazes and are fired in a wood kiln. His
alkaline glaze is a combination of wood ash, glass, and clay. It is a more
intense and time consuming process but produces a truly unique and authentic
folk style of pottery." Vale, North Carolina.
Pottery by Sybil
Sybil Scronce Hedspeth, Caldwell County North Carolina, e-mail
Little Mountain Pottery
Claude & Elaine Graves, Tryon, Polk County North Carolina. Located
six miles from Columbus, North Carolina at 6372 Peniel Road, the studio and
showroom is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by
appointment. E-mail
Brim
Pottery Doug and
Vickie Brim have a combined 20 years of pottery making experience. Doug's
passion is making face jugs and Vickie is an expert at turning out all of those
jugs for Doug to work his magic on. Vickie also makes beautiful sun candle pots
and braided baskets. The pottery duo interned with many Seagrove Potters during
the 90's and successfully ventured out on their own in 2001. E-mail
Brown's Pottery Arden, North Carolina, 8th generation of potters in the Brown family. (828)-684-2901 E-mail
There are many additional potteries in this area that I don't have a website for. Visit my shop, or contact me, and I will be happy to tell you about the other potters in this area. Most of the potters will also be glad to refer you to other potteries in their area.
It would be a good idea to call, or e-mail, any of the potters before visiting. Some have pottery for sale day to day in their shops, some sell most of their pottery when they have a kiln opening after they fire a a kiln of pottery.
Pottery Dealers
Many local antique shops also carry contemporary, and antique, Southern Pottery.
Drexel Grapevine Antiques carries both old and new Southern Pottery, Catawba Valley as well as pottery from the Seagrove area. Other types of pottery, china, glassware, postcards, and much more are also for sale.
Landmark Galleries in Mooresville, NC, owned by Artist Cotton Ketchie, also carries different types of North Carolina pottery in additon to his paintings and prints. .
Pottery Museums and Exhibits
North Carolina Pottery Center Museum, working pottery demonstrations, classes.The North Carolina Pottery Center is located at 250 East Avenue, Seagrove, NC 27341. It is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students (K-12), and free to members. (336) 873-8430
Mint Museum of Art and Mint Museum of Craft + Design 220 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC. (704)-337-2000. Continual pottery exhibits and one of the best pottery collections in the Southeast.
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Drexel Grapevine Antiques pages:
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