Art Pottery
Here in Wisconsin, we are far enough north that each winter–with a bit of luck–there is the tantalizing possibility of a rare snowy owl sighting. Snowy owls nest in the treeless tundra above the arctic circle. During the winter some of them migrate into southern Canada and northern US.Arctic Messenger is an ode to our special winter visitor. A hand-sculpted snowy owl perches on a winding bittersweet vine that offers orange and yellow berries. An atmospheric pale green, off white, and grey background glaze allows the eye to focus on our main character’s big personality.The Arctic Messenger Vase is the 23rd piece in our annual, numbered Winter Holiday Series. Each year we make one special numbered edition piece – this year The Arctic Messenger– is a numbered edition of 75. Available to order while supplies last.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.A simple bowing oak branch bends at the rim of this sweet vase. The flowing lines of the hand-sculpted oak branch, oak leaf, and acorns drape across the form with graceful movement, while the teardrop-shaped cutout adds an element of whimsical discovery.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.This piece pays homage to the ground-breaking artistry of the historic Grueby Faience Company. The hallmarks of this award-winning pottery were harmony and symmetry of form and sculpture presented in richly textured organic colors. This vase, along with other pieces of Grueby-revival designs in our collection, will satisfy the aesthetic requirements of even the most die-hard Arts and Crafts purist.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.The Amaryllis Twists Vase reinterprets the twisting buds and elegant form of the long-retired Ephraim Pottery Perennial Vase. These buds represent an about-to-bloom amaryllis, the beloved flower that brightens our homes during long, monochromatic winters.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.To celebrate our studio’s 25th anniversary, we wanted to reimagine a piece from the very beginning. In 1996, the original Apple Leaf Vase was a major foundational design. Ephraim’s founder and primary potter, Kevin Hicks, remembers the Apple Leaf Vase as the first piece on which the studio successfully rendered leaves in a style that looked lively and natural. These hard-won early techniques laid the groundwork for so much of what has become the ‘Ephraim style'. With the Apple Leaf Redux Vase we have built on the form and sculpting technique of the original and added our signature buds, providing a pop of color. This cabinet-sized vase is offered in our full line of classic Arts & Crafts colors.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.The Athena Vase reinterprets one of our early pieces, the Greek Vase, on a smaller scale. A traditional Arts and Crafts leaf, bud, and teardrop motif encircles a timeless form, creating a pleasing symmetry. This piece is named for Athena, Greek goddess of inspiration and the arts.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.The Birch Vase invites our gaze to a window which perfectly frames a birch tree amidst a rolling landscape. The architectural detail on the form evokes the rounded timbers of the historic Greene & Greene architecture, enhancing the illusion that we are inside looking out. Full of contrast and offered in four striking colors, this vase makes a bold statement in any decor.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.Before leaves broaden and fruit forms, trees greet spring with their beautiful blooming branches. This vase celebrates the dramatic beauty of a single blooming branch, which rests on the shoulder of a subtle and elegant, architectural vase.
Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.The edges of roadways, vacant lots, and other barren and rocky places are inhospitable to all but the toughest of plants. Where others may see weeds, we see wildflowers. The creamy white of Queen Anne's Lace plays off the cool blue of chicory, dainty petals mixing with woody stalks and spiky leaves. This piece celebrates the resilient kind of beauty that thrives despite long odds.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.A simple bowing pine branch bends at the rim of this sweet vase. The flowing lines of the hand-sculpted pine branch, pine cone, and pine needles drape across the form with a sense of graceful movement, while the teardrop-shaped cutout adds an element of whimsical discovery.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.Warmer weather and dusky skies beckon Wisconsin bats to begin their swooping ritual. These hypnotic creatures, descending from the trees and arching across the sky inspired this bat vase. Dramatic glazes and a delicately sculpted bat make this a moody, impactful piece.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
- Handmade to order. Please allow 4-6 weeks for production.A clear, bright melody rings out in the crisp air. From my windowpane I spy a pair of cardinals–one brilliant red and the other muted, still beautiful–as they dart between the tree branches, a welcome sight! This lidded jar celebrates our favorite visitors, the masked and crested Northern Cardinals. Positioned opposingly, these male and female cardinals perch on branches with crimson berries. The rich Seaspray Blue and Leaf Green glazes evoke the atmosphere on a clear day and accentuate the vases’ intense red focal points.Handmade to order. No two pieces of the same design look exactly alike, that’s part of the magic of handmade ceramics. Because we lean away from technologies like molds, templates, and casts, each piece is wholly unique. Minor variations in size, decoration, color and finish are intrinsic to our pottery. Please expect and embrace the variation inherent in our process.
American ceramics history includes a long tradition of creating collectible art pottery. This pottery type is characterized as being primarily decorative and inspired by nature. Ephraim Pottery has carried on this tradition of making collectible art pottery since 1996. We create vases, lanterns, and lidded vessels. A master potter hand-throws these pieces on a wheel. They are also individually hand-sculpted. Our creations are then finished with our studio-designed microcrystalline matte glazes.
Our thoughtful collection of art pottery includes pieces in a range of colors, sizes, shapes, and price ranges. In fact, our collection has pieces to suit every home and budget. The foot of each piece is stamped with our studio mark, the year the piece was created, and the stamp of the artist who made the piece. For more information, read about how we mark our pottery. In addition, learn a little bit more about each of our artists and see their stamps by visiting our Artist page. For each design we create, the number of pieces is tracked. This information can be found in our Historical Archive Database.
We hope that our art pottery – vases, tiles, and tableware– are all pieces that will be treasured, displayed, and collected for many years to come.