Art Deco and Modernist Ceramics

by Karen McCready, Garth Clark (Introduction)

The dazzling decorative arts of the 1920s and 1930s have continued to capture our imagination to an extent perhaps unmatched by those of any other period. The enduring popularity of the jewelry, silver, furniture, glass, textiles and other media has been reflected in publications of all kinds. This book fills a gap in the literature on the the need for a completely authoritative, spectacularly illustrated guide to the period's eclectic ceramics.
Every conceivable color, texture, form and style is to be found in the creative output of factories and artists' studios in the USA, Britain, Continental Europe and Japan. The label "Art Deco" - strictly referring to the exclusive, luxurious wares made for the smart set in Paris - has been loosely applied to almost everything except the output of the traditionalist studio-potters. While skillfully showing how the various terms - Art Deco, Modernism, Art Moderne, Streamline Style - have been used in different ways at different times, Karen McCready avoids these somewhat artificial distinctions, choosing her subject matter on the basis of its visual power, its historical significance and - perhaps above all - its appeal to 1990s collectors, practitioners and everyone with an interest in design.
Art Deco and Modernist Ceramics is sure to become the standard reference on the subject. Garth Clark's introduction gives a magisterial survey of the period; more than 200 color photographs, many of them specially taken, provide a stunning visual reference; all the significant artist-potters, as well as sculptors and designers who worked in ceramics, are discussed in A-Z entries, many of them illustrated with photographs or makers' marks. The book also includes full information on technical terms and publications.

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Rondo Kazakian · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest in art deco ceramics developed out of the blue when I bought an interesting Frankoma coffee mug at a yard sale. This book helped me more than any other source to put American Art Deco ceramics within its proper historical and artistic contexts. For instance, it now makes sense why all the stuff I like wasn't made after the 30's (the Depression! art ceramicists starting making plates instead of statues), and why art ceramics aren't available in the same way today (the industrial process favors stuff that sells - kitchenwares and stuff; the 30's was the last time handmade items were created in sufficient numbers to serve the masses). This won't float everybody's boat, but if you're interested in the subject matter and want lots of color photos of the best examples of the period, this book is great.