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Clay Moderne: American Ceramics, 1925-1950
Ongoing
Mint Museum Randolph
Cowan Pottery Studio (United States, 1912-1931), R. Guy Cowan, modeler (United States, 1884-1957). Swirl Dancer Flower Holder, circa 1925, earthenware, ivory glaze. Gift of the American Ceramic Society 2006.102.130
Homer Laughlin China Company (United States, 1871-2020), Frederick Hurten Rhead, designer, England, 188-1942). Fiesta Carafe, circa 1940, earthenware, glaze. Gift of the American Ceramic Society. 2006.102.97A-B
Vernon Kilns (United States, 1931-1958), Rockwell Kent, pattern designer (United States, 1882-1971) Salamina Dish, circa 1939, earthenware, glaze (enamel decoration). Gift of the American Ceramic Society 2006.102.55
Several key trends emerged in American ceramics during the second quarter of the twentieth century. One was the new aesthetic—a streamlined, unornamented style that various ceramic artists and designers adapted from American architecture of the period. Frederick HurtenRhead’sFiesta ware and Russel Wright’s American Modern pattern are just two examples of dinner services manifesting this new focus on clean lines and simple, geometric forms. A second trend was the increasing number of women who became widely acknowledged leaders in the field. MaijaGrotell, for instance, received 25 major awards during her career as a ceramic artist. VallyWieselthier’s work was included in the groundbreaking International Exhibition of Ceramic Art, which opened in 1928 at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. She also helped develop the field of ceramic sculpture in the United States. The increase in ceramic sculpture, in fact, was another significant trend of the period. Waylande Gregory, Henry Varnum Poor, and Thelma Frazier Winter are a few of the artists who joined Wieselthier in promoting sculpture as a ceramic art form. Clay Moderne presents works of art from the Mint’s collection to illustrate these various trends and celebrate the careers of some innovative, twentieth-century American artists.
