Ballard #45 blue 3 toed biomorphic wide vase Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960), a student of Glidden Parker at Alfred University in the 1940s who worked in the Burlington area, this Ballard #45 three toed vase or planter is very unusual in several aspects. First, on the bottom the standard Ballard mark is split into three parts, one on each foot. Secondly the original price os $2.50 is crossed out and another price of $1.25 is written. Perhaps this shape was not a good seller. Glazed in the standard white blended glaze, it features a biomorphic lobed rim and stands 4 3/4 inches high and is 6 inches in diameter at its widest point.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Burlington Vermont  

Ballard #12 light green puzzle vase Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there under these influential teachers: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

From 1937-1939 he was a classmate of Glidden Parker. He had his studio in Burlington Vermont from 1946 -1960 until his untimely tragic death in February 1960.


Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard who worked in the Burlington area, this 3 1/4 inch high vase very irregularly shaped vase is part of a two piece set. It has a matching vase that when set side by side, the two pieces interlock to form a wider planter. Excellent condtion.

It carries a #12 shape number and Mark #8. Add it to your American Art Pottery collection or Stanley Ballard collection today.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Burlington Vermont  

Ballard #19 (Mark #2) mustard vase with label Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there under these influential teachers: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

From 1937-1939 he was a classmate of Glidden Parker. He had his studio in Burlington Vermont from 1946 -1960 until his untimely tragic death in February 1960.


Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard who worked in the Burlington area, this Ballard #19 mustard yellow glaze flared vase stands 5 1/4 inches tall and is 5 1/8 inches across at the top. The top rim is slightly out of round.

This vase is marked with what I am calling (Mark #2) of the four labels i have in my collection. I think that this vase dates from the 1948-1952 period of production. It carries an original paper label. It is much heavier than later versions of the vase. It is hard to read the bottom but it does carry a 19 shape number.

Add it to your American Art Pottery collection or Stanley Ballard collection today.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Burlington Vermont  

Ballard #8 Birdwing cedar green bowl Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there under these influential teachers: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

From 1937-1939 he was a classmate of Glidden Parker. He had his studio in Burlington Vermont from 1946 -1960 until his untimely tragic death in February 1960.


Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard who worked in the Burlington area, this #8 biomorhpic bowl was referred to in Ballard's brochure as a Birdwing bowl.

It measures 8 1/4 inches long x 6 inches wide. Ballard often used this form for his rare decorated pieces, including the Horse, Fish and Chicken pattern as well as two wild abstract patterns.

The color of this #8 Birdwing bowl is one of his early glazes. It is what I call cedar green. It is in excellent condition.

Add it to your American Art Pottery or Ballard Pottery collection today.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Burlington Vermont  

Ballard #56 2 lite center console bowl Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there under these influential teachers: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

From 1937-1939 he was a classmate of Glidden Parker. He had his studio in Burlington Vermont from 1946 -1960 until his untimely tragic death in February 1960.


Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard who worked in the Burlington area, this shape seems to be one of the early ones by Ballard which didn't make it to the later production period.

This is a center bowl or console bowl which had a pair of smaller matching candleholders. This biomorphic oblong dish is done in a standard white glaze with the chocolate brown underglaze. The two candlehodlers are sprigged on and then fired.

The bowl is very large. It measures 12 inches wide x 5 1/4 inches wide. It is signed with the shape number 56 on the bottom and a standard S. Ballard Vermont incised mark.

Add it to your American Art Pottery collection or Studio pottery collection today.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Burlington Vermont  

Ballard early studio 10 inch console bowl Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there under these influential teachers: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

From 1937-1939 he was a classmate of Glidden Parker. He had his studio in Burlington Vermont from 1946 -1960 until his untimely tragic death in February 1960.


Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard who worked in the Burlington area, this very early studio piece meaures 10 1/8 inches long x 3 inches wide x 2 1/4 inches tall. It is signed with the interlaced intials SB, for Stanley Ballard. Only the earliest works were signed this way. It has a thick application of the early mustard yellow glaze over the chocolate brown underglaze. It is in excellent condition. Later examples of this shape were larger and signed Ballard Vermont.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard #21 shape ovoid top rectangular vase Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there while these influential teachers were part of the faculty: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

This shape seems to be one of the early ones by Ballard which didn't make it to the later production period. The vase measures 5 1/2 inches high x 5 1/4 inches wide. The opening is 4 1/4 inches long x 2 3/8 inches wide. Each one I own either has no shape number or is number 21 with the early chocolate brown band around the bottom dating it from his middle period of production. This vase carried neither the shape number nor the Ballard signature which makes it very unusual. The chocolate underglaze can be seen at the top and underneath the mottling on the body. This early white glaze is stunning. There is a slight blue tint to the glaze at the top of the piece. The vase is in excellent condition. A very interesting shape and glaze combo by Stanley Ballard. Add it to your American Art Pottery collection or Studio pottery collection today.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard 19 dark turquoise flared vase Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there while these influential teachers were part of the faculty: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

This signed S. Ballard number 19 shape vase has a very unusual dark blue glaze with very little blending at the top of the vase. It stands 5 5/8 inches tall and is 5 1/8 inches across at the mouth. Although the glaze is very uniform on the outside, the inside shows mottling on the inside rim and the bottom has the chocolate brown band characteristic of Ballard's midde period of production. It is in excellent condition with just some firing cracks on the inside top rim (see photo). Add it to your American Art Pottery collection or Stanley Ballard collection today.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard #31/60 3 inch square dish w/label Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there while these influential teachers were part of the faculty: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

This Ballard small 3 inch square dish comes in this size and two other larger sizes. This one is done in a very light green glaze and retains the original Ballard paper label which reads Hand Made Porcelain A Product of Vermont Craftsmanship. It is in excellent condition.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard 8 1/2 inch tall tapered mottled vase Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there while these influential teachers were part of the faculty: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

This tall tapered vase is a larger size of his standard 19 and 20 series. It has a deep chocolate brown underglaze as is evident by the brown rim at the bottom of the piece, making this an earlier studio piece.

The white gray top glaze shows good mottling, making it a volcanic glaze. Marked simply S. Ballard Vermont but with no shape number, this piece is a great example of Ballard's early shapes and glaze. Add it to your American Art Pottery or Studio Pottery collection today. It is in excellent condition.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard standard white #1 square ashtray Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard, a student of Glidden Parker at Alfred University in the 1940s who worked in the Burlington area, this 3 1/2 inch square ashtray with four rests, one is each corner, is Ballard's standard production shape. This is the smallest size, #1. It comes in two larger sizes which could have nested together as was a common practice in the 1950s.

It carries the standard S. Ballard Vermont mark and the shape mark 1. It is in excellent condition and a great beginner piece of Ballard's smoking items, of which there were many as smoking was in its heyday. Add it to your smoking, Mid-Century pottery or Ballard collection today.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard 42/53 console mottled holder Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there while these influential teachers were part of the faculty: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

This #42/53 blue white mottled piece was the matching candleholder to the popular Ballard console bowl. One of a pair. Excellent condition.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard #2 blue leaf shaped ashtray Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there while these influential teachers were part of the faculty: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

From 1937-1939 he was a classmate of Glidden Parker. He had his studio in Burlington Vermont from 1946 -1960 until his untimely tragic death in February 1960.


Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard who worked in the Burlington area, this Ballard blue leaf shaped ashtray with the original $1.75 black pencil price on the bottom.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard decorated #19 pine trees / mountains Produced by Vermont Mid-Century studio potter Stanley Ballard, a student of Glidden Parker at Alfred University in the 1940s who worked in the Burlington area, this unusual decorated #19 vase carried the standard incised Ballard signature and the original price in pencil of $2.50.

It measures 5 1/2" tall. The design on the front of the vase is of mountains and pine trees done in a dark blue glaze. The rim of the vase has also been traced over in the same blue glaze color, giving it an almost violet effect. The back is plain. This is the only item I have yet seen with this decoration. Excellent condition
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard #16 4.5 inch 2 lobe green vase Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there while these influential teachers were part of the faculty: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

This 4 1/2 tall vase is deep blue/green and signed S. Ballard 16 Excellent condition
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Ballard #43 wide low biomorphic yellow Vermont Studio potter Stanley Ballard (1917-1960) graduated from Alfred University’s highly respected Ceramic Program in 1939, having studied there while these influential teachers were part of the faculty: Marion Fosdick, Charles Harder, Clarence Merritt, and C. Katherine Nelson.

Ballard #43 10 inch long x 6 inch wide low biomorphic yellow dish, shaped much like the Birdwing Bowl, but larger. Excellent condition.
Manufacturer: Stanley Ballard, Vermont  

Bennington #1563 Fighting Cock plaque trivet Here is a whimsical modern stoneware piece from the late David Gil at Bennington Potters in Vermont. started by David Gil in 1948. It is from 1962-1964 period when Gil included only the words Bennington Potters and used the asterisk with the shape number alone.

This oblong Bennington Potters #1653 Fighting Cock plaque / trivet measures 11 1/2 inches long x 6 inches across. It was advertised in the 1964 catalogue as 1563, a trivet which could also be hung on the wall as a plaque as it had a built-in wire on the back. This piece is shown in the 1964 catalogue as and is titled there Fighting Cock. It came in a few color variations, this being the hardest to find with the back and feet a cream color and the body orange with cobalt blue feathers and face. The blue variation is harder to find than the green one.

Its original 1964 price was $4.00. I recently learned that all the oblong tiles were designed by Gloria Gil, David's first wife with whom he started the company in 1948.

Bennington Potters are among the few American studio potteries that turned into production potteries in the midcentury. It evolved from a co-operative into a full-blown pottery.

After 1960, they made their bread and butter by making gorgeous modern styled dinnerware that was distributed throughout the US and sold in fine department stores.

After 1960, they made their bread and butter by making gorgeous modern styled dinnerware that was distributed throughout the US and sold in fine department stores. In their 1964 catalogue, Gil described their creations as "Art Objects in the Practical Realm" - Museum Honored, Hand-crafted, Modestly Priced,"
Circa: 1960-1965
Manufacturer: Bennington Potters, Cooperative Design, Vermont, David Gil  

1534 Chanticleer Gloria Gil design trivet The square tile/plaque series by Bennington Potters shown in their 1964 catalogue included the following: #1532 "Sunburst", #1533 "Hen", #1534 "Chanticleer", #1535 "Eggs", #1536 "Owl", and #1564 "Dickie Bird".

They were all designed by Gloria Gil, first wife of David Gil with whom he started Bennington Potters in 1948 in Bennington Vermont. Gloria graduated from Bennington College.

This 8 inch square piece featuring a rooster with cobalt accent color is designed as both a trivet and a plaque. It has four knob feet so it can sit on a counter or a hanger to be used as a wall plaque. All four original plastic fee and the original hanger are present on this piece. It is signed with the Cooperative Design/Bennington Potters mark in a rectangle putting it in the 1960-1961 time period. It is also signed with shape number 1534.

It is in excellent vintage shape and ready for your home. Go green! Save resources and purchase a piece of the past. It is ready for your home today.
Circa: 1960-1962
Manufacturer: Bennington Potters, Cooperative Design, Vermont, Gloria Gil  

2 Tri color Bennington Potters 1227M tumblers Here are two whimsical modern stoneware pieces from David Gil at Bennington Potters in Vermont. It is from the 1960's. Bennington by Gil started in 1948. They are among the few American studio potteries that turned into production potteries in the midcentury. It evolved into a co-operative of different art potters. They made their bread and butter by making gorgeous modern styled dinnerware that was distributed throughout the US and sold in fine department stores.

This may be a very early tumbler as it uses the unglazed body of the piece as one of the three colors. The top and interior is glazed in a semi glossy white. The bottom is a very deep teal with undertones of blue in it. I believe this color was known as Mountain Green.

I own a sake bottle which was featured in the 1960 Vermont Life article about David Gil. It also features the use of the unglazed body. This tumbler stands 3 1/8 inches tall and carries the shape number 1227M. At present, I don't know what the letter M stands for. It is signed Bennington Potters VT with the letters filled in with the dark teal glaze. They are in excellent condition. Price is for the set.

Add it to your American Art Pottery or Bennington Potters collection today.
Circa: 1960-1970
Manufacturer: David Gil, Cooperative Design, Bennington Potters Vermont  

David Gil Bennington #1240 Funky Bird plate Here is a whimsical modern stoneware piece from master potter David Gil at Bennington Potters in Bennington, Vermont. It dates around the year 1960 but before 1962 as it carries both a shape number and the words Bennington Potters and Cooperative Design. It is a later version of this design as the side of the piece is also glazed. The earlier versions of this piece had the side unglazed and trimmed in a orange tint.

It is the same shape as pieces I own which carry the original Raymor line label. This 6 1/2 inch diameter piece features a wild black outlined abstract bird with purple, pumpkin and yellow dots on its body with a teal eye.

I recently learned that when Gil decided to mark his works with shape numbers, he started with the number 1300. However, if an earlier design was to remain in production, they marked it with a number starting with 1200. This explains the numbering and mark on the transition pieces, particularly this one marked with shape number #1240.

They are among the few American studio potteries that turned into production potteries in the midcentury. It evolved into a co-operative of different art potters.

After 1960, they made their bread and butter by making gorgeous modern styled dinnerware that was distributed throughout the US and sold in fine department stores.

In their 1964 catalogue, Gil described their creations as Art Objects in the Practical Realm" - Museum Honored, Hand-crafted, Modestly Priced.

David Gil started producing work in Bennington Vermont in 1948. They are among the few American studio potteries that turned into production potteries in the midcentury. It evolved into a co-operative of different art potters, then into the Bennington Potters company we have known since 1960 and still very much active today.
Circa: 1960-1965
Manufacturer: David Gil, Cooperative Design, Bennington Potters Vermont  

Cooperative Design early owl plaque / ashtray Here is a whimsical modern stoneware piece from the late David Gil at Bennington Potters in Vermont. started by David Gil in 1948. It is from the mid 1950s time period when Gil used a transition mark which included both the words Design Cooperative and Bennington Vermont and a large arm symbol.

I recently learned that when Gil decided to mark his works with shape numbers, he started with the number 1300. However, if an earlier design was to remain in production, they marked it with a number starting with 1290. This explains the numbering and mark on the transition pieces.

They are among the few American studio potteries that turned into production potteries in the midcentury. It evolved into a co-operative of different art potters.

After 1960, they made their bread and butter by making gorgeous modern styled dinnerware that was distributed throughout the US and sold in fine department stores. In their 1964 catalogue, Gil described their creations as "Art Objects in the Practical Realm" - Museum Honored, Hand-crafted, Modestly Priced,"

This fun and funky owl plaque can be seen in the 1964 as shape #1504. I believe this particular owl plaque is much earlier as the dimensions of the piece are larger than what is shown in the 1964 catalogue.

This plaque uses the mid-1950 volcanic dark greenish gray background glaze. The highlight on the owl itself is a dark forest green. The two tone gray glaze forms the body of the owl. The back is stamped with a larger version of the Cooperative Design Bennington Vermont mark.

On the back what looks like damage is really extra glaze which was sanded off. I have never seen this on the post-1960 pieces signed with the shape number 1504. You be the judge but I think this is the earliest version of the owl plaque I have seen. There is a wire hanger for using it as a plaque though it is an earlier system I think.
Circa: 1960-1964
Manufacturer: David Gil, Cooperative Design, Bennington Potters Vermont  

Cooperative Design #1372 tall trigger mug Bennington by Gil started in 1948 . They are among the few American studio potteries that turned into production potteries in the midcentury. It evolved into a co-operative of different art potters. They made their bread and butter by making gorgeous modern styled dinnerware that was distributed throughout the US and sold in fine department stores but this is an earlier more studio inspired piece.

David Gil, trained at Alfred University and profiled in the Winter 1961 issue of Vermont Life, started Bennington Potters in 1948 in Bennington, VT right after WWII.

This version of the iconic double trigger mug stands 8 inches tall. This vase is glazed with a high gloss white glaze on the inside. The outside is done in a semi matte white. It dates from the 1948-1959 period before Gil used the term Bennington Potters on his pieces.

According to yet to be authenticated information, the suggestion for the double trigger handle was given to David Gil by one Maurice A. Douglass, a resident of Bennington Vermont and a collector of early Norton Pottery.

In the 1964 catalogue, there are 3 sizes of the double trigger mug shown but not this very tall #1372 size.

This beautifully deisgned and balanced 1372 trigger mug is in excellent condition. Add it to your Mid-century Bennington Potters or David Gil collection today.
Circa: 1956-1960
Manufacturer: David Gil, Cooperative Design, Bennington Vermont  

Bennington Potters early oval Lion plaque Here is a whimsical modern stoneware piece from the late David Gil at Bennington Potters in Vermont. started by David Gil in 1948. It is just a bit later than the pre-1960 time period when Gil used a transition mark which included both the words Design Cooperative and Bennington Vermont.

I recently learned that when Gil decided to mark his works with shape numbers, he started with the number 1300. However, if an earlier design was to remain in production, they marked it with a number starting with 1290. This explains the numbering and mark on the transition pieces.

They are among the few American studio potteries that turned into production potteries in the midcentury. It evolved into a co-operative of different art potters.

After 1960, they made their bread and butter by making gorgeous modern styled dinnerware that was distributed throughout the US and sold in fine department stores.

This 8 inch long x 7 inch wide hanging plate or plaque was designed by founder David Gil. It is done in a standard foamy brown glaze with the lion's face in a mottled brown and green glaze. The original wire is present. It is signed Bennington Vermont with the Fork logo. It is the same as the Cooperative Design mark with Cooperative Design NOT part of the mark.

It is in excellent condition. Add it to your American Art Pottery or Mid Century Vermont pottery collection today
Manufacturer: David Gil, Cooperative Design, Bennington Potters Vermont  

David Gil Cooperative Design Tiger plate Prior to changing the name to Bennington Potters, David Gil's company was known as Cooperative Design. There, he and other Alfred designers fashioned all sorts of interesting Mid-Century items. Having trained at Alfred University, Gil came to Bennington in 1948. His designs are included in many Mid-Century exhibits and catalogues. It is thought that Gil started to number his pieces around 1960.

This oval high rimmed plate is very unusual. It is the first I have seen with a tiger on it. In addition, the tiger is done in relief, then an overglaze is added. The overglaze is an early high gloss white which was used in the Cooperative Design Period (1948-1960). You can see the overglaze as it runs over the rim on the back.

The Gil design carries a transition mark, which has the words Cooperative Design Bennington Vermont in a rectangle with the hand and spark symbol embossed in the middle of the rectangle. It carries shape number 1502.

Later pieces with this shape were made with holes into which a hanging wire was place in order to use it as a wall hanging. Often it also had feet on it as well so it could be used as a trivet. This Tiger plate has neither! So, it must have been sold simply as a plate. The bottom is unglazed. The rectangle part of the mark is large. It measures 2 inches long. It is in excellent condition.

Add to your 20th century American Art pottery or Bennington Potters collection today.
Manufacturer: Bennington Potters, Cooperative Design, Vermont, David Gil  

Goss Pottery Vermont set 4 handled soup bowls Warm cheddar cheese soup? Cold gazpacho? Fill them to the brim, set them on a tray and you are ready to go!

Each of these four handled soup bowls or lugs stands 2 1/2 inches tall x 5 1/2 inches wide to the end of the handles across the top. The Goss Pottery and the Onion River Pottery of Winooski were somehow related. Research continues.

Goss/Onion River had their own patterns such as this Pineapple pattern but made a huge amount of promotional or advertising items which can easily be found here in Vermont as that is where they were made.

Price is for the set. Add them to your Midcentury or Vermont pottery collection today.
Circa: 1960-1980
Manufacturer: Goss Pottery Company, Vermont