Leon Volkmar and Durant Kilns
American potter, 1879-1915; American pottery, 1910-1930
Bowl
1919
Earthenware with blue and aubergine glaze
3 1/4 x 13 inches (8.225 x 33.02 centimeters)
Gift of Kate Fowler Merle-Smith, 1978
1978.028.004
In 1910 Jean Rice founded the Durant Kilns in Bedford Village, New York, along with her former ceramics teacher, Leon Volkmar. Together they developed vibrant glazes for the pottery's hand-thrown wares, which were influenced by Near Eastern ceramics. Volkmar finished all work himself, and took complete control of the business after Rice's death in 1919. The contrasting colors on the interior and exterior of this piece, as well as the thick drips of glaze that were allowed to remain on the outside of the bowl, are characteristic features of Durant Kilns pottery.