Rare Rhead Pottery Santa Barbara Small Vessel, c.1913-1917

I trusted my eye and gut on this beautiful small matte blue-gray glazed vessel, the stamp on the bottom of which I could not quite read when I found it, but which felt like a special thing. Indeed, it is a piece by Frederick Rhead, Rhead Pottery, Santa Barbara, c1913-1917. Frederick Hurten Rhead (1880–1942) was a ceramicist and a major figure in the Arts and Crafts movement. A native of England, he worked as a potter in the United States for most of his career, teaching pottery techniques and highly influential in both studio and commercial pottery. Rhead’s work features in major museum collections. Rhead Pottery in Santa Barbara operated only from 1914-17 so the date on this is certain, and Rhead’s work from this period is highly valued, featuring in the collections of major museums including the Met.

3 1/2” t x 3 1/4” widest diameter. This piece was a but challenging to photograph, especially in term of getting the color, but photos give a fairly good sense. There is one tiny flaw—what looks like a glaze chip just inside the lip, as documented. glaze shows some variation, which photos give a sense of, and there are a few small surface stains, which I have not touched. A small, very lovely thing.