California art pottery, 1895-1920

The origins of California art pottery produced during the Arts and Crafts movement (1876-1916) are relatively obscure when compared to the better known art potteries east of the Mississippi River. Even so, it is clear that California potters created a unique art pottery of superior quality. Although subjected to the same influence, primarily Arts and Crafts philosophy, California art pottery has a different sensibility. It is one that reflects the emigrant backgrounds of the potters, their preoccupation with the dominant California landscape and their efforts to promote California. This special set of circumstances made California art pottery possible. It is this same set of circumstances that gives it a viable place in the chronicle of Arts and Crafts art pottery.