Gonder Art Pottery Made in the Forties
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Discover Vintage Gonder Pottery
An inexpensive entertainment for our family, when the kids were young, was visiting the antique fairs in Pomona, CA. Antique pottery had a very big presence there, but Gonder pottery never became familiar to me. I found this wonderful ceramic pottery when I decided to redecorate the master bedroom.
I went to online auction. Pottery on ebay is fun and exciting. I discovered a good American story about a man and his craft, his ingenuity and success despite competition. He had his niche, then threw mud, went to the lab beakers, enrolled an eclectic band of artists, and became a success.
We have a fun U.S.A. pottery story from a U.S center: Zanesville pottery in Ohio. Bare bosom Hawaiian pieces were censored by the buying public. The story even gets a bit mysterious due to a factory fire. Explore Gonder pottery made in the mid 20th century.
Some of my art pottery collection in mustard hue above.
Gonder Pottery in 1941
Art Pottery History
The factory Gonder Ceramic Arts, Inc. was in business between 1941 and 1957 and was run by Lawton Gonder. From day one he referred to his business as ceramic art, and in fact, he employed the best sculptors and artists in the country for his designs and molds. His focus was the ceramics and glazes, not running the business.
Gonder #511 Art Deco Swan
Gonder Was A Chemist
It Was All About the Glaze

Gonder worked to develop the crackle glazes and the "volcano" glaze. Shown here to the left with the lemon yellow. All Gonder ceramic pieces have stood up well against time. They resist chipping and cracking.
Many of the designs show Asian influences. Especially the crackled pieces. Some are just plain ugly in my book. A console vase called the "banana boat" by Gonder employees was disparaged in the most funny way by an eBay seller that I placed a bid on the description alone. It went for over $100.
There were Polynesian and Hawaiian water carriers that could be purchased in male and female pairs. They were a very popular until the early Fifties. Retailers suggested that customers would be more likely to buy them if the female pieces had bathing suit tops on.
The Gonder pottery cookie jars are popular enough though they are not very cute.
Gonder Had a Lamp Factory
Pottery was in big demand during the War.
Here is a lamp that I bought on eBay. Yet to be cleaned up. A/O July, 2010. The lamp at right is cleaned and a new shade added. It is now I night light in my livingroom. Lamp restoration.
I admire all the vintage pottery pieces I acquired and have them pictured in this page.
Read About My Gonder Lamp Repair
Hurry! Not Much Time Left
Pottery on ebay
The largest source for Gonder pottery is eBay. I browse ebay to see my personal firsts. My first witness of Gonder patterns. Every month I see some ceramic vase that is not familiar to me. I also am looking for the fantastic deal. I'm not an avid collector but sometimes I can not resist having a Gonder piece.
Gonder Pottery on the Web
There is not a whole trove of information about Gonder ceramic pottery. I know of only two books and one site has not been available lately. It had many photos of Gonder but I have not been able to access it as I used to in 2007.
Please add any websites here that give pictures and information on Gonder.
1
Gonder Ceramic Arts: A Comprehensive Guide
Jim & Carol Boshears are affectionately known more...1 point
2
Antique Trader - Zanesville's best kept secret - Gonder Pottery
Zanesville's best kept secret - Gonder Pottery - Z more...0 points
3
Gonder Collector.com Home Page
A new on line resource for collectors of Gonder po more...0 points
Rumrill Pottery
RumRill Pottery the Ohio Years 1938-1942
Amazon Price: $11.64 (as of 05/31/2012)![]()
I found good information about the pottery business in this book. There are dozen of pages of wonderful Rumrill pottery in color. I also learned of the connects between Rumrill and Gonder pottery. After reading this book I wanted to collect this beautiful pottery too. If you are interested in Gonder this book is a must for making your collection more enjoyable.
Link List for Gonder On the Internet
- Gonder Pottery on Etsy
- Vintage sellers on the Handmade site called Etsy have Gonder pottery for sale. At reasonable prices.
- Zanesville's best kept secret - Gonder Pottery
- by Carol Sumilas Boshears
- The Gonder Collector.com
- Gonder pottery photos
- Gonder Images
- Images on Google
Are you Aware of Gonder
Gonder Pottery
What do you think?
Do you own Gonder pottery? I even enjoy new pottery at art fairs. Whatever is your pottery passion I know it is very additive. Must be the clay and the idea that it can take so many shapes.
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d-artist Feb 27, 2012 @ 6:22 pm | delete
- Great informative lens!!!! Wow I'm glad I ran across this! I haven't heard of Gonder. I have a few pieces of pottery...these two come to mind "Anthony and Kay Finch"
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Marti
Jan 31, 2012 @ 1:09 am | delete
- Found you through Flickr. I collect Gonder as well. If you care to see pics email me. I don't think I have any of the most desirable pieces though. a_gatorgirl@yahoo.com
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paperfacets Jan 31, 2012 @ 5:03 pm | delete
- I hope you enjoyed the article. I have a new red piece, a swan #802 that is very pretty.
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LaStryge
Nov 15, 2011 @ 1:08 pm | delete
- Some of these Gonder pieces are kitsch..but collectibles. others are really nice.
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fionamckay9
Oct 25, 2011 @ 2:02 am | delete
- Not so much my scene but at least now I'll know about Gondar pottery if I come across it
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by paperfacets
Gonder Pottery is a vintage ceramic that has a glaze that resists chipping. Many good pieces to buy for collecting.
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