Featured Catalina pottery vase -- condition question

Marked on the base, Catalina Pottery.

Curious is the dark part shown from firing or some kind of damage? Also is anyone familiar with this brand of pottery? Thanks.

 

Beautiful, Lucille.
I can't help with the brand, but the design could easily be 1920s.

 

Lucille, did you see this wiki page?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_Pottery

And there is this:

https://www.islapedia.com/index.php?title=CATALINA_POTTERY
"Catalina-marked pieces, "Catalina Pottery," were produced for about five years." (1937-1942, they also used older molds)

https://www.lovecatalina.com/listing/catalina-pottery-&-tile-co/214/

https://www.maximalist.org/colorware/catalina-island-pottery/

Archives, I don't see your vase:

https://www.acstickley.com/category/art-pottery/catalina-clay-products/

 

Thanks, AJ. I did a bit of Ebay snooping and if I'm comparing apples to apples, this seems to be a collected pottery. I just didn't find any with this exact signature stamp but only looked for a few minutes. Didn't know if there was more than one Catalina Pottery out there.

I have to say several pieces in the "Archives" link do remind me of this one.

 

I am sure it is, it is very beautiful.

Yes, they do.

 

Okay, got a little more interested based on AJ's link and went back into Ebay. I found two Catalina Pottery also with the descriptor "Gladding McBean" that have this exact stamp.

What about that dark area? I see one pot in the link with sort of a dark effect too, but more uniform. So maybe intentional but worn??

 

Catalina or Catalina Island Pottery is very collectible, early pieces used a rusty brown clay then in their transition period a white clay. Around 1937 GMB (Los Angeles based) bought the Catalina molds and used a few of their glaze formulas and continued to produce Catalina molds in a white clay. They added a several new design categories to the Catalina Art Ware line (Angeleno, Aurora, Avalon) plus more. I think this vase is a GMB design. I will check my early catalogs.

 

Okay checked. Angeleno Art Ware 1942, vase number c-276 in glaze MP-71 (Light Bronze)
Original items made on Catalina Island are the most desirable, then the original Catalina designs produced by GMB, GMB designs also have collector interest.
BTW GMB eventually turned into Franciscan Pottery that excelled in dinnerware patterns.

 

Because the color seems to be in the glaze (pic 2), rather than imposed (as if it had been in a fire, perhaps) it may be as-made...but the apparent scaling (pic 3) argues for some post-production damage, to me.

Here's mine, Lucille...1942 Gladings-McBean Catalina Pottery, with the same blue underglaze back-stamp as yours. It's one of my most treasured pieces!
I posted it here a couple years ago, but cannot find the thread in a search...dunno why.

 

Wow, incredible info, Trip. Thanks for looking it up and the expertise.

Same form for sure! Thank you for sharing that!

 

Very collectible and a nice find. I think the brown is a glaze anomaly and as-made. Some potteries might have considered this a second as a result but markings do not suggest such. I think most collectors would overlook it but might not pay top dollar as a consequence.

 

According to my catalogs (not always completely accurate), the vase in the Angeleno line came in three glazes only the Lite Bronze was considered a crystalline glaze and most likely a special order. The vase, also came in satin, matte and gloss from the Montebello line in many colors.

 

Catalina-One of my fave California Potteries, the vase is a knockout,great form.
Re: AJ's link for the 'California Historical Design' site-that Arts & Crafts store's a mind blower.

 

I can see why. It's beautiful and perfect.

 

I agree with @bosko69 Catalina pottery is great stuff. It has a cult-like following and good pieces command premium prices. AND! AND! AND! Catalina Island is a fun place to visit!

 

Ditto-Avalon Casino on the island's got great history.I So Cal also check out Santa Barbara.

 

It's gorgeous...... dare I say sexy

 

Stracci- Yr right,sexy,sensual and 'cuddly' !

 

It's a beautiful shape

 

I'm liking it more and more!

Was at a fabulous estate sale. Professionally run, but the estate runners seemed to be more focused and knowledgeable about a Hotwheels collection they had behind the counter. Lucky for me!