EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: Advertisements for the Vic Frey Pottery in Washington, D.C. Newspapers from the 1920s

Monday, December 31, 2018

Advertisements for the Vic Frey Pottery in Washington, D.C. Newspapers from the 1920s

The origin of a group of red earthenware objects marked "FREY," often decorated with colorful glazes has been a subject of debate in recent years. This interest may have begun when the American Folk Art Museum in New York City published a blue glazed red earthenware jar a few years back that was said to have been made at the Frey Pottery in Pennsylvania. But this is believed to be inaccurate information.

According to the American Folk Art Museum, "Variegated and iridescent blues resulting from the firing of cobalt glaze on this beautiful wide mouthed jar create a rippling, water effect over its visible turnings. Occasional streaks of pure pigment in the glaze are possibly the result of hand-grinding, which leaves some irregularity in the size of the particles. Cobalt is usually applied as a calligraphic or representational element on American stoneware, and, because of its high expense, was typically used sparingly. Its appearance on a redware clay body is in itself rare; the sheer extravagance of the overall cobalt glaze on this jar is virtually unparalleled.

Little is known about the Frey pottery (today), whose mark is impressed on the (jar's) base. It was in operation by 1810, when Henry Frey moved onto his father-in-law's farm in a rural area of Washington Township, Pennsylvania (which was very close to where John Bell's pottery was located in the Shenandoah Valley in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania). After Frey died in 1821, the farm was divided among his four sons. The pottery continued to be run by (his sons) Henry Jr. and George, and during this period the area was renamed Freytown. After Henry Jr.'s death, George Frey maintained the pottery until (his death) in 1846."

However seeing that this was also a topic of interest on Facebook over the weekend, I decided to conduct a little research, and see if I could find any information about this apparently forgotten company from old newspapers. I cannot say whether this company operated in the late 1800s, but production clearly must have continued into the 1900s since this company also produced lamp bases, similar to early twentieth styles produced in Massachusetts and also used at Tiffany and Company in New York City.

I found a few ads published in Washington, D.C. in the 1920s for Woodward and Lothrop's Department Store, advertising lamp bases under the name "Vic Frey Pottery," which ranged in price from $8 to $25 each. The bases were described as "Infinitely beautiful hand-made Vic Frey Pottery lamp bases - each individual in design and coloring." Interestingly, Vic Frey's products were advertised beside Fulper Art Pottery, among other high-end products.

According to the book, Woodward and Lothrop: A Store Worthy of the Nation's Capital, "Affectionately called Woodies' by local Washingtonians, the beloved department store Woodward and Lothrop stood at the heart of downtown for over a century. Crowds flocked to the flagship store on the F Street shopping corridor to find better service and the season's fashions. The store and its employees shared in the best moments in the lives of Washingtonians, from the elaborate holiday window displays to the Wedding Service department that helped countless brides choose their China patterns. For weary shoppers, the Bake Shop and seventh-floor Tea Room offered city favorites such as Wellesley Fudge Cupcakes and Chicken Pot Pie."

I have not conducted any further research, but the description of the Vic Frey Pottery lamp bases by Woodward and Lathrop certainly appears like it could be related to the lamp bases that I have seen marked on the base "FREY."

Furthermore, there are a variety of other decorative forms and pitchers known today with this same mark; although, not every piece from this pottery was marked. I would also like to add that this production is excellent, with a combination of wonderful forms and brilliant glazes.

Vic Frey Pottery Lamp Bases Advertised in Washington, D.C. in the 1920s