Discover Vintage Gonder Pottery
A cheap entertainment for our family when the kids were young was going to 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 eBay. Ebay pottery sales are 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, and enrolled an eclectic band of artists, and became a success. Even got censored by the buying public. A fun U.S.A. pottery story.
Learning about Gonder pottery kept me entertained for over a year. Gonder pottery still can be had for reasonable prices. I found it fun for collecting.
Gonder Pottery in 1941
Art Pottery History
Gonder pottery was produced in the same area of Zanesville, OH as all the well known potteries, such as Weller, Shawnee, Hull, McCoy and Roseville. Gonder was shipped all over the U. S. and Canada but did not have the huge volume like the other potteries.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 Was A Chemist
It Was All About the Glaze
Gonder experimented with many different glazes and is known for his non-crazing shiny glaze. The pieces I have are very shiny and beautiful after 60 years. I acquired the mustard and brown pieces on eBay. This color is a bit cheaper. The most prized glaze is the Red Flambe. By 1941 he had worked for potters and tile companies many years. First as a student starting at the age of thirteen in 1913, then later manager and lab chemist.
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 cookie jars are popular enough though they are not very cute.
Gonder Had a Lamp Factory
Pottery was in big demand during the War.
During WWII pottery became in big demand. Gonder opened a lamp factory to put his molds and designs into further use. Just add the lamp components and a new commodity was for sale. It was called Elgee Pottery. Elgee being his initials LG. This factory was in production for eight years.Here is a lamp that I bought on eBay. Yet to be cleaned up.
I admire all the vintage pottery pieces I acquired and have them pictured in this page.
One Small Vase on youtube
Pink Gonder vase
I Bought My Gonder On eBay
Browse eBay for Gonder Pottery Collectibles
Ebay has about 20 items of Gonder everyday for you to bid on.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
This is the Extent of My Collection
Gonder Collectible Pottery
These are part of my collection. Click on photo to enlarge.
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...0 points
Only One Book About Gonder Available on Amazon
Gonder Pottery Catalog
Gonder Ceramic Arts a Comprehensive Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 01/02/2010)
Comprehensive and well researched.
Are you Aware of Gonder
Gonder Pottery
What do you think?
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- proman of Ohio proman of Ohio Nov 2, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
- I've collected Gonder for the pass 15years. They are very beautiful. I'm very proud of my collectiion of Gonder!
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- stargazer00 stargazer00 Apr 20, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
- It's almost like art deco. Pretty!
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- BevsPaper BevsPaper Apr 16, 2009 @ 5:52 am
- Great lens! I love the style of Gonder.
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- awelldressedbullet awelldressedbullet Mar 9, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
- I love learning new things, and I had never heard of this either. You have some nice pieces in your collection. Great lens, very interesting and nice pictures! - Kathy
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- Tiddledeewinks Tiddledeewinks Mar 5, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
- Never heard of it before this lens. Fantastic eye candy.
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