Understanding Bauer Pottery and Its Revival

Bauer Pottery has a rich history that spans over a century, with its origins dating back to the early 1900s in Zanesville, Ohio.

The pottery was founded by James Bauer, who initially produced utilitarian wares such as jugs and jars.

Bauer Pottery gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s for its art pottery, which featured intricate designs and patterns.

Its revival in the 1970s and 1980s led to a renewed interest in the company's products, with many collectors seeking out vintage pieces.

Bauer Pottery was founded in 1885 by John Andrew "Andy" Bauer in Paducah, Kentucky, where he produced brown-glazed, hand-thrown wares including crocks and jugs.

The company moved to Los Angeles in 1909 and initially produced the same products. Demand from the nursery trade led to the introduction of new products such as flower pots, garden ware, and planters.

In 1912, Louis Ipsen was hired as a designer, adding fancy redware items to the pottery lines. Matterson (Matt) Carlton joined the company in 1922, producing hand-thrown vases, rose jars, and carnation vases for the nursery trade.

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The company introduced California Colored Pottery around 1930, which proved a momentous event with the introduction of Houser's brilliant new colors on Ipsen's dishes. By 1933, the company added ridged or "ring" dishes, including its distinctive Ringware line, named for the concentric circles that mark the pieces.

Bauer Pottery ceased operations in 1962 due to increasing competition and a bitter strike in 1961.

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In 1885, John Andrew "Andy" Bauer bought out Frank Parham's Paducah Pottery in Paducah, Kentucky.

The pottery's main products were brown-glazed, hand-thrown wares including crocks and jugs.

J.A. Bauer moved his family to Los Angeles in early 1909, and selected a new site for a pottery.

The first products at the new location were the same products J.A. Bauer produced in Paducah.

In 1912, Louis Ipsen was hired as a designer, adding fancy redware items to the pottery lines.

Matterson (Matt) Carlton joined the company in 1922, producing hand-thrown vases, rose jars, and carnation vases for the nursery trade.

J. A. Bauer retired in 1922 and died in 1923.

One third of the company was sold to his daughter Eve, and her husband Watson E. Bockman, while the other two thirds was sold to Bernard Bernheim.

By 1928, Bockman resigned and the heirs of Bernard Bernheim, sons Sam and Lynn Bernheim, ran the company.

In 1929, W. E. Bockman bought out the Bernheims and once again became president of the company.

Ceramic engineer Victor F. Houser was hired to develop new glazes.

The introduction of Houser's brilliant new colors on Ipsen's dishes proved a momentous event.

Around 1930, Bauer Pottery introduced California Colored Pottery.

This marked a significant shift in the company's product line.

In the early 1900s, Bauer Pottery was founded in Zanesville, Ohio, by John Bauer.

The company quickly gained popularity for its high-quality ceramics, which were made using a combination of traditional techniques and modern machinery.

The Bauer Pottery factory was known for its beautiful and intricate designs, which were often inspired by nature and art.

The company's most popular lines included the "Bauhaus" and "Prairie" styles, which featured geometric shapes and clean lines.

During the 1920s, Bauer Pottery became known for its colorful and whimsical designs, which were often used to create unique and eye-catching pieces.

The company's ceramics were not only functional but also decorative, making them a popular choice for homes and businesses.

Bauer Pottery continued to innovate and experiment with new designs and techniques throughout the 1920s and 1930s, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the ceramics industry.

Bauer Pottery was founded by John "Andy" Bauer in 1885, when he purchased the Paducah Pottery in Paducah, Kentucky.

The company produced a variety of utilitarian wares, including stoneware crocks, whiskey jugs, earthenware flower pots, and hanging baskets.

Bauer Pottery marks are quite varied, but some common ones include the text mark "BAUER POTTERY / LOS ANGELES" and the circular text mark with "BAUER POTTERY" in an arch above "LOS ANGELES, CAL." in an arch below.

Bauer Pottery was founded by John "Andy" Bauer, who purchased the Paducah Pottery in Paducah, Kentucky, in 1885.

The company was initially located in Paducah, Kentucky, and later worked at his brother John's Louisville pottery before acquiring the Paducah Pottery.

Bauer Pottery produced a variety of utilitarian wares, including stoneware crocks and whiskey jugs.

Their products also included earthenware flower pots and hanging baskets, which were likely used for decorative purposes.

The company's production focused on functional items for everyday use, rather than decorative or artistic pieces.

Bauer Pottery used a wide variety of marks, making identification a bit tricky.

One common mark is the text mark "BAUER POTTERY / LOS ANGELES", which is pretty straightforward.

The circular text mark features "BAUER POTTERY" in an arch above "LOS ANGELES, CAL." in an arch below, giving it a nice balance.

You might also come across an outline of an orange with "J. A. BAUER / POTTERY CO./LOS ANGELES" inside, which is a distinctive mark.

A circle enclosing a jug with "BAUER" across its center, "POTTERY COMPANY" in an arch above, and "LOS ANGELES" in an arch beneath is another common mark.

Reproductions of this mark are similar, but without the outside circle, so keep that in mind.

A jug with "BAUER" across the center and "SINCE 1885" in an arch across the top and "POTTERY" in a reverse arch on the bottom is also a mark to look for.

Bauer dinnerware and kitchenware are the principal focus of collectors, with a strong market in the west where you can expect to pay half or less for identical pieces found in eastern sale venues.

Collectors focus on patterns like Brusché Al Fresco, Contempo, La Linda, Monterey Moderne, and Ring, which are highly sought after.

The market for Bauer has faded over the past decade due to the flooding of the secondary market and because period pieces are not dishwasher safe.

Serious collectors still pay premium prices for hard to find pieces, such as the Ring cigarette jar with lid, which is a rare find.

Look for signs of aging and wear to ensure that the pieces you're considering are not reproductions, as the current company is reproducing pieces in period colors.

It's essential to research and verify the authenticity of Bauer pieces, especially if you're considering buying online or from a secondary market source.

WorthPoint is a valuable resource for identifying, researching, and valuing antiques, with over 425 million "sold for" prices and item details and images at your fingertips.

J. A. Bauer, a renowned figure in the world of ceramics, was a key player in the development of Bauer Pottery. He was the founder of the company.

Bauer Pottery was a prominent ceramics manufacturer in the United States, with J. A. Bauer at its helm. J. A. Bauer was instrumental in shaping the company's early years.

The company's success can be attributed to J. A. Bauer's innovative approach to ceramics production. He introduced new techniques and designs that set Bauer Pottery apart from its competitors.

Bauer Pottery was revived in 2000 by collector Janek Boniecki in a small ceramic studio outside Los Angeles.

The new company introduced a new line, Bauer 2000, featuring pieces based on original shapes and colors from the 1930s and 1940s.

Boniecki was unable to locate any original Bauer dies or molds, so he reverse-engineered the new line from pieces in his own collection and other vintage purchases.