GLADDING & MCBEAN FRANCISCAN WARE VINTAGE PLANTER

This Wonderful Franciscan Ware Vintage Planter or Jardiniere ia a fine example of Studio Art Pottery. It was manufactured by The Gladding, McBean Company of California, USA and dates approximately 1934-1938. When one speaks of Modernism, this jardiniere or planter is a very fine example in its truest form.

It measures 8 7/8” Height by 9 5/8” Diameter (at the top flared opening). This beautiful planter is a fine example of Art Pottery in California during the 1930-1940 periods. The color is a pleasant (blue-green) turquoise. The piece is hand turned as one can easily see from the illustrations (photos).

NOTE: The mark on the bottom is “G.M.B.” (This mark is found in Lehner's Encyclopedia of U.S. Marks on Pottery, Porcelain and Clay, Lois Lehner, Mark #10, Page 170 and explanation of factory Page 165). At the moment, a photo of the mark was an oversight. A photo of the mark will be inserted at a later date or upon request.

COMMENT: A clean and classy collector piece describes this elegant piece to a “T”. If you want warmth and simplicity in your home décor, this piece surely can accommodate! Such art pottery pieces as this one are widely collected by avid collectors of Gladding & McBean, Franciscan Wares.

CONDITION:   Excellent!

HISTORY OF GLADDING, MCBEAN & COMPANY: FRANCISCAN WARE McBean & Company was founded in May of 1875 upon the discovery of an exceptional clay deposit near Lincoln, California. The days of the Gold Rush had long passed when the earth yielded yet another treasure, this time in the form of "potter's clay" in Lincoln, California.

In the fall of 1874 Charles Gladding of Chicago was visiting California when he read the news of the clay find. He traveled to Lincoln, took samples of the clay and sent them back to Chicago for testing by ceramic experts. The results surpassed his expectations.

The clay proved to be of excellent quality and was in abundant supply. On May 12, 1875, along with new partners Peter McGill McBean and George Chambers, Charles Gladding returned to Lincoln with a group of skilled craftsmen and Gladding, McBean and Co was born. Soon Gladding, McBean began shipping clay sewer pipe to towns throughout the state of California.

Charles Gladding and Peter McBean began their clay empire with the production of sewer pipes, then roofing tiles, and hollow clay building tiles.

With the acquisition of Glendale's Tropico Pottery in 1922, the American Encaustic Tiling Company in Vernon and Hermosa Beach in 1933, and Catalina Pottery in 1937, Gladding McBean grew to become the largest ceramic products manufacturer west of Chicago.

The company's distinctive dinnerware and fine china acquired an impressive following, earning a place in millions of California homes. Gladding McBean was also preferred by the privileged, with the company's Franciscan fine china as Jacqueline Kennedy's choice for use on Air Force One, and Gladding, McBean items as President Nixon's choice for the Presidential Yacht. Franciscan's Apple pattern was selected by Eleanor Roosevelt for her private cottage, and Franciscan's Ivy dinnerware was used by Joseph Kennedy in his Florida home.

In 1884, the company built a two-story office building on Market Street in San Francisco, using terra cotta trim made at the Lincoln plant.

Gladding, McBean and Co. operated until 1962, when it merged with Lock Joint Pipe Co. and formed what was known as Interpace Corporation. However, in 1976 Interpace announced their intention to cease operations at the Lincoln plant. After so many years, no one ever expected to lose "the Pottery". At this crucial time, Pacific Coast Building Products emerged to purchase the company and restore the famous name of Gladding, McBean.