While out-and-about in southern Maine this past summer with my niece Alexis, we found what we believe is a Mission swirl earthenware vase made at the Niloak Pottery in Benton, Arkansas, circa 1909-1949, otherwise it was made at the Evans Pottery in Dexter, Missouri after 1928 or it is an early example made at the Desert Sands Pottery in Nevada from the 1950s, which happens to have been a spinoff business of a company that had connections to Georgia, Arkansas and Missouri in the 1800s.
According to the Daily Statesman, "The business began when Jacob Semmimon, a potter in Georgia, sent his son, Thomas to Arkansas in search of clay suitable for the potter's trade. But it has been reported that Native Americans told him about a better clay source found to the north in the Bloommfield, Missouri area. He was later joined at this location by his then-widowed mother and other family members, and they established themselves as jugmakers.
The pottery was primitive but utilitarian and included fruit jars, kraut crocks, milk pitchers, and whiskey jugs. The business was expanded by loading oxen-drawn wagons with pots peddling them from Bloomfield to Cape Road, Missouri.The family also setup a shop at a local livery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where they also bought and resold goods coming into town from the Mississippi River.
Bloomfield was burned three times during the Civil War, but the pottery business managed to be spared each time.
In 1882, a potter named, Hugh Evans was working for the Semmimons and he had also married Jacob's daughter (and Thomas' sister), Lucinda. Evans took over the operations of the business following the death of Thomas Semmimon.
Hugh Evans' son, Randall was also employed in the potter's trade working nearby at the Peters Pottery just to the south in Dexter, Missouri. The Peters Pottery made whiskey jugs and reportedly tried to create a new glaze, but was not successful. When this business failed, it was bought out by Hugh Evans, helping provide work for what had become a large family business. There were about five firings of 3,000 to 5,000 pieces per year.
In an attempt to expand production, Randall Evans and his brother, Arthur went to Benton, Arkansas in 1928 to observe pottery being made at the Niloak Factory, an art pottery company that operated circa 1909-1946. The pattern known as Mission swirl had become very popular, which was produced at the Niloak Pottery. The Evans' were able to copy this style, and were sued; however, the Niloak Pottery's lawsuit failed.
The Evans Pottery continued to prosper and supported the families of Hugh, Randall and Arthur Evans throughout the Great Depression. But Arthur soon migrated west, where he established the Desert Sands Pottery in Nevada."
In 1936, Terrell Evans was hired by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in Boulder City, Nevada. He was a potter by trade, but in this case he was to do geological surveys of local clays. Having obtained gainful employment in bad economic times, he made a place for his relatives. Before long, he was providing for his Uncle Arthur and Arthur's children, Ferrell and Dorothy.
In 1946, Arthur and Ferrell Evans convinced an investor named Jack Petrie to back them in a partnership venture, and the Pinto Pottery Company was created. It was fairly successful, but the company was liquidated in 1949 so that Jack could be bought out and the business converted to a purely family business. The new business entity created was called the Desert Sands Pottery. All four family members were engaged in the creation of the pottery, and on August 5th, 1950 they opened the doors on the Desert Sands Gift Shop on Nevada Highway in Boulder City.
The business was booming for years for their Mission swirl pottery at the tourist stop. But in 1962, Arthur passed away, leaving decisions to be made about the future of the family business. It was decided that each of the remaining three would continue alone. Ferrell took the Desert Sands name with him to Barstow, California, where he produced the trademark swirl pottery until he died in 1975. Terrell moved to Las Vegas where he sold swirl pottery branded as Evans through tourist shops until the 1980s. Dorothy remained in Boulder City, and continued the tradition for some time, producing swirl pottery rebranded as "Mineral and Sands Pottery".
Early pieces of Desert Sands are very similar to the famous Niloak Pottery, with only the interior glazed to make them functional. However, Desert Sands often used green, bright yellow, and bright orange, colors not in the Niloak pallette. Later pieces received a bright glossy glaze on the exterior, causing the dull clay colors to become brilliant. The Burley Winter Pottery tried similar styles with different glazes, but Mission swirl at this period remained the domain of Desert Sands.
Nevertheless, are there any thoughts on this vase? Niloak Pottery versus Deserts Sands Pottery? The style of the Mission swirl colors appears to be Niloak, but I am not positive. Or could this even be an example of the early artware made at the Dexter Pottery in Evans, Missouri? These swirl colors were also used in Missouri.
An Example of Mission Swirl Pottery Made in Either Arkansas, Missouri or Nevada
20th Century Mission Swirl Earthenware Vase
Possibly Niloak Pottery in Benton, Arkansas, Circa 1909-1949
Possibly Dexter Pottery in Missouri After 1928
Possibly Deserts Sands Pottery in Nevada, Circa 1950s
Recently Found in Southern Maine
The Exterior is Not Glazed
Stands 4 7/8" Tall
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Only the Interior is Glazed
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A View of the Unmarked Base
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Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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