Marblehead pottery

DEFINITION

Begun in 1904 in Marblehead, Massachusetts by Dr. Herbert J. Hall, it was a small pottery studio for teaching ceramics as a convalescing activity for his Devereax sanitarium patients. The company lasted to 1938 and grew into a highly successful pottery business. Arthur Baggs became the Director in 1905, and under his influence the signature style was "hand-incised or surface painted geometric designs on grounds of lightly contrasting colors." In 1915, Baggs became the owner, and in 1920, the focus was directed to making production art pottery with pebbled matte finishes in blue, green, pink, yellow, brown or gray. Quality control was maintained, and employee numbers seldom exceeded more than six to eight people. Sources: http://www.justartpottery.com/collectors_pottery/marblehead_pottery_history.htm; Schiffer Books;