Overview
A beautifully executed mid-century vase from the celebrated Pisgah Forest Pottery of North Carolina. This 1950 example features the workshop’s signature turquoise glaze, applied over a vertically ribbed form that displays color variation and kiln character to outstanding effect. An excellent representation of Pisgah Forest’s postwar production and glaze mastery.
Historical Background
Pisgah Forest Pottery, founded in 1926 by Walter Benjamin Stephen near Asheville, represents one of the most distinctive strands of Southern American art pottery. Stephen, whose earlier work included the Nonconnah Pottery in Tennessee, brought a studio-craft sensibility to the Blue Ridge region, blending local clay sources with experimental glazes that became hallmarks of the pottery’s mid-century output.
By the 1940s and 1950s, Pisgah Forest had developed a recognizable aesthetic defined by fluid glazes, clean sculptural lines, and limited batch production. Pieces from this period — including turquoise examples like this vase — reflect the workshop’s mature firing techniques and Stephen’s continued refinement of Appalachian ceramic tradition.
Glaze & Decorative Characteristics
This vase showcases the pottery’s iconic turquoise glaze, a color family highly prized by collectors for its dynamic depth and natural pooling effects. On this example:
- The glaze ranges from soft aquatic blue to saturated blue-green.
- Subtle mottling and tonal variation emphasize the ribbed structure.
- Glaze pooling near the base creates darker, shadowed bands — a signature of authentic mid-century Pisgah Forest firing.
- The satin-to-matte surface reveals the hand-applied nature of the finish.
Pisgah Forest turquoise glazes from around 1950 are widely regarded as some of the workshop’s most expressive and attractive surface treatments.
Form & Craftsmanship
The vertically ribbed body is one of Pisgah Forest’s classic forms of the era. This shape was designed specifically to highlight color variation, allowing glaze to run slightly between ridges and emphasize the movement of the kiln atmosphere.
The vase’s proportions — a narrow shoulder tapering to a stable foot — reflect the workshop’s focus on practical yet artistic silhouettes suitable for display or functional use.
Dating & Attribution
The glaze characteristics, ribbed form, and firing traits are consistent with Pisgah Forest production circa 1950. During this period, Stephen and the workshop produced a range of turquoise vessels in this scale and proportion, often marked with impressed workshop identifiers or distinctive turquoise interiors.
This example represents the style and quality that made Pisgah Forest a staple of mid-century Southern pottery.
Collector Appeal
Pisgah Forest remains a vibrant field of interest for collectors of American studio pottery. This vase offers:
- A textbook glaze example with excellent color depth
- A desirable mid-century production period
- A form that displays beautifully from all angles
- A size suitable for cabinet, shelf, or table presentation
- Strong decorative presence without the need for additional embellishment
Turquoise examples of this quality remain among the most requested by decorators and collectors seeking authentic regional American ceramics.
Condition
Excellent condition.
No chips, cracks, or repairs.
Minor firing variations and glaze irregularities consistent with handmade Pisgah Forest production.
Displays beautifully.
Measurements (Approx. inches)
Height: 9 1/2
Width: ____
(Insert exact dimensions)
References & Further Reading
- Western Carolina University, Craft Revival Project — Historical overview of Pisgah Forest Pottery.
- McKissick Museum / Ceramics Now — “The Potteries of Walter B. Stephen.”
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History — Collection entry for Pisgah Forest Pottery.
- FOHBC — Lindsay Lancaster, “Pisgah Forest Pottery.”
- The Marks Project — Biographical entry on Walter Benjamin Stephen.
- The Laurel of Asheville — Article on WNC pottery and Pisgah Forest marks.
