EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A 20th Century Red Earthenware Vase Found Last Fall in a Thrift Store in San Francisco and a History of the Robertson Family's Production in California

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

A 20th Century Red Earthenware Vase Found Last Fall in a Thrift Store in San Francisco and a History of the Robertson Family's Production in California

While the American Art Pottery movement was largely dominated by ceramists in Massachusetts, New York and Ohio, it also spread across the country, reaching the West Coast in the final years of the nineteenth century. California became home to a number of aspiring art potters, which included two potters, who relocated from a very successful family of potters located just to the north of Boston.

Massachusetts native Fred Robertson hailed from a long line of clay artists. His father, Alexander W. Robertson, was a fifth-generation potter and established the Massachusetts-based Chelsea Keramic Art Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1866. Fred Robertson worked alongside his father, as did Alexander’s brother, Hugh Robertson. Hugh was also involved with the Chelsea Pottery U.S. during the circa 1891-1895 period, and then the company's successor, the Dedham Pottery in Dedham, Massachusetts.

But in 1898, Alexander relocated to San Francisco and founded the Roblin Art Pottery; Fred joined him in 1903. This was one of the earliest California art potteries, which Robertson founded alongside Linna Irelan (1846-1935). The name of the company derived from the first syllables of Robertson's surname and Irelan's first name, whereas the company operated from 1898-1906.

Their known wares were often modest in size and characterized by refined, simple forms, muted colors and minimal decoration. Robertson threw the pots and Irelan applied the decor, which also sometimes incorporated floral motifs, mushrooms or lizards Their staff remained small throughout the longevity of the business. The company also submitted works at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, where Irelan won an honorable mention.

Early 20th Century Earthenware Vase Made at the Roblin Art Pottery in San Francisco

Vase was Thrown By Alexander Robertson

Vase Decorated by Linna Irelan

Dated 1905

Stands 3 7/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Interestingly, there was also a connection to San Francisco with Hugh Robertson's Dedham Pottery around the time the company was established in 1896 or sometime shortly thereafter. For instance, there are a small group of circa 1898-1908 signed earthenware plates known today from the Dedham Pottery that are decorated with a view of San Francisco at sunset from the Golden Gate, which was before the famous bridge was built and bordered by waves and poppies. Some other types of Dedham Pottery was also shipped to the city in the early 1900s.

Late 19th or Early 20th Century Earthenware Plate Made at the Dedham Pottery in Mass.

Decorated with a View of San Francisco

Signed by Hugh Robertson

Circa 1898-1908

Measures 10" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Rago

But the success of this business was short-lived and destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. There are also a lot of unknowns about this company's production, seeing that so much of it was lost during this catastrophe, which happened during the company's height of production.

However, as a result, Irelan retired from ceramics altogether and the Robertsons moved to Los Angeles, where Fred Robertson worked as superintendent of Los Angeles Pressed Brick. During his tenure, he also operated a small art pottery known as FHR Los Angeles, which produced crackle, matte, and crystalline glazes, along with experimental lusters.

Robertson became the superintendent of Claycraft Potteries in Los Angeles in 1921. Four years later, his son, George, joined the firm as designer, establishing the seventh generation of Robertsons in the pottery business.

In 1934, the father-son team of Fred and George started Robertson Pottery in Los Angeles and moved it to Hollywood the following year. The pottery produced functional, household wares and more decorative pieces, applying brightly colored glazes to traditional forms influenced by Chinese examples. The company closed upon Fred Robertson’s death in 1952.

Nevertheless, this unmarked twentieth century red earthenware vase was found last fall in a thrift store in San Francisco; it is hand-thrown, whereas the preciseness, intricacy, the glaze and the delicate nature of the way it was produced reminds me of some production by the Robertson family in Chelsea. I also know that the Robertsons worked with both red and white earthenware clays while in Chelsea and California. The bases were also typically inverted on objects made by the Robertson family, however this was not always the case.

With all of this said - Does anyone reading this post think this vase could be related to the Robertson family's production in California?

Red Earthenware Vase Found Last Fall in a Thrift Store in San Francisco