Watt Pottery History

The History of Watt Pottery

Watt Pottery holds a cherished place in American ceramic history, celebrated for its hand-painted designs and practical kitchenware. From its humble beginnings in Ohio to its enduring legacy among collectors, Watt Pottery’s story is one of innovation, family enterprise, and timeless appeal.​

Origins and Early Years (1922–1940s)

The Watt Pottery Company was established in July 1922 in Crooksville, Ohio, by the Watt family, taking over the site of the former Burley Pottery Company . Initially, the company produced utilitarian stoneware items such as crocks, butter churns, preserve jars, and jugs. These early pieces were typically marked with blue eagle or acorn stamps and the vessel’s capacity indicated within a circle .​AntiquesQ&A+4theantiquesalmanac.com+4realpriceguides.com+4Vintage Eve’s+4realpriceguides.com+4Houston Home Journal+4

Despite the economic challenges of the Great Depression, Watt Pottery managed to keep its operations running, maintaining a 40-hour workweek for its employees .​Vintage Eve’s+2AntiquesQ&A+2Vintage Eve’s+2

Transition to Ovenware and Hand-Decorated Designs (1940s–1950s)

As household technologies evolved, with the advent of electric refrigerators and modern ovens, there was a growing demand for ovenware that could transition directly from cold storage to the oven. Responding to this shift, Watt Pottery began producing ovenware made from a lighter, cream-colored clay known as yellow ware, which was both durable and visually appealing .​AntiquesQ&AHouston Home Journal+3Vintage Eve’s+3Vintage Eve’s+3

In 1949, the company introduced hand-decorated kitchenware featuring simple yet vibrant designs. These patterns were applied by teams of decorators using minimal brush strokes, allowing for efficient production while ensuring each piece’s uniqueness. Early patterns included Rio Rose, Moonflower, Dogwood, White Daisy, and Cross-Hatch .​AntiquesQ&A+3Houston Home Journal+3Log in or sign up to view+3Vintage Eve’s+3realpriceguides.com+3AntiquesQ&A+3

Iconic Patterns and Advertising Pieces (1950s–1965)

The 1950s marked the introduction of some of Watt Pottery’s most iconic patterns, which remain highly sought after by collectors today. These include:​

  • Starflower (1951)

  • Apple (1952)

  • Cherry (1952)

  • Silhouette (1953)

  • Rooster (1955)

  • Dutch Tulip (1956)

  • American Red Bud (Tear Drop) (1957)

  • Morning Glory (1958)

  • Autumn Foliage (1959)

  • Double Apple (1959)

  • Tulip (1961)​realpriceguides.com+1Houston Home Journal+1

These designs were characterized by their bold, hand-painted motifs set against the creamy yellow ware background. Additionally, Watt Pottery produced pieces featuring advertising for various businesses, including grocery stores, hardware stores, seed mills, gas stations, and major chains like Woolworth and Kroger . These advertising pieces are particularly prized by collectors for their historical and regional significance.​Vintage Eve’sRochester Post Bulletin

The Factory Fire and End of Production (1965)

Tragically, on October 4, 1965, a fire destroyed the Watt Pottery factory and warehouse. The company never resumed production, marking the end of an era . The final pattern introduced before the fire was the Kathy Kale Royal Dutch, of which only a few pieces were produced and sold through Kroger stores .​Houston Home Journal+3Rochester Post Bulletin+3Vintage Eve’s+3realpriceguides.com

Legacy and Collectibility

Despite its relatively short production span, Watt Pottery has left a lasting legacy. Its pieces are celebrated for their rustic charm, functional design, and the individuality imparted by hand-painted details. The uniqueness of each item, due to the hand-decoration process, means no two pieces are exactly alike, adding to their appeal among collectors.​

Today, Watt Pottery remains a beloved collectible, with enthusiasts seeking out its various patterns and forms. The combination of aesthetic appeal, historical significance, and the story of a family-run American enterprise continues to captivate collectors and admirers alike.

Watt Pottery’s diverse range of patterns reflects the company’s evolution and the changing tastes of American households from the 1940s through the 1960s. Each pattern tells a unique story, combining functional design with artistic flair. Here’s an overview of some of the most notable Watt Pottery patterns:​

Classic Patterns (1949–1953)

These were the first hand-decorated designs introduced by Watt Pottery, characterized by their simplicity and charm:​realpriceguides.com+1antiquesqa.blogspot.com+1

  • Rio Rose (also known as Pansy): Featuring a stylized rose motif, this pattern is one of the earliest and most recognizable.​

  • Moonflower: Depicting delicate moonflowers, this design showcases the artistry of Watt’s decorators.​

  • Dogwood: Inspired by the dogwood tree, this pattern captures the beauty of its blossoms.​

  • White Daisy: A cheerful design featuring white daisies, bringing a touch of spring to any table.​

  • Cross-Hatch: A geometric pattern with intersecting lines, offering a more modern aesthetic.​

Popular Patterns (1951–1961)

As Watt Pottery gained popularity, new patterns were introduced to meet consumer demand:​

  • Starflower (1951): Characterized by its four-petal floral design, this pattern became a household favorite.​

  • Apple (1952): Perhaps the most iconic Watt pattern, featuring a red apple with green leaves. Variations include two-leaf and three-leaf designs.​

  • Cherry (1952): Showcasing bright red cherries, this pattern adds a pop of color to any kitchen.​

  • Silhouette (1953): A departure from floral motifs, this design features black silhouettes against a cream background.​

  • Rooster (1955): Embodying country charm, the Rooster pattern is a nod to rural life.​

  • Dutch Tulip (1956): Inspired by traditional Dutch designs, this pattern features bold tulip motifs.​

  • American Red Bud (Teardrop) (1957): Named after the redbud tree, this pattern showcases teardrop-shaped blossoms.​

  • Morning Glory (1958): Depicting the morning glory flower, this design exudes elegance.​

  • Autumn Foliage (1959): Capturing the essence of fall, this pattern features leaves in warm hues.​

  • Double Apple (1959): A variation of the Apple pattern, featuring two apples for added visual interest.​

  • Tulip (1961): A fresh take on floral design, the Tulip pattern is both simple and striking.​

Specialty and Advertising Pieces

Watt Pottery also produced pieces with customized advertising for various businesses, including grocery stores, hardware stores, and seed companies. These items are highly collectible due to their rarity and unique branding.

Watt Pottery’s diverse range of patterns reflects the company’s evolution and the changing tastes of American households from the 1940s through the 1960s. Each pattern tells a unique story, combining functional design with artistic flair. Here’s an overview of some of the most notable Watt Pottery patterns:​

Classic Patterns (1949–1953)

These were the first hand-decorated designs introduced by Watt Pottery, characterized by their simplicity and charm:​realpriceguides.com+1antiquesqa.blogspot.com+1

  • Rio Rose (also known as Pansy): Featuring a stylized rose motif, this pattern is one of the earliest and most recognizable.​

  • Moonflower: Depicting delicate moonflowers, this design showcases the artistry of Watt’s decorators.​

  • Dogwood: Inspired by the dogwood tree, this pattern captures the beauty of its blossoms.​

  • White Daisy: A cheerful design featuring white daisies, bringing a touch of spring to any table.​

  • Cross-Hatch: A geometric pattern with intersecting lines, offering a more modern aesthetic.​

Popular Patterns (1951–1961)

As Watt Pottery gained popularity, new patterns were introduced to meet consumer demand:​

  • Starflower (1951): Characterized by its four-petal floral design, this pattern became a household favorite.​

  • Apple (1952): Perhaps the most iconic Watt pattern, featuring a red apple with green leaves. Variations include two-leaf and three-leaf designs.​

  • Cherry (1952): Showcasing bright red cherries, this pattern adds a pop of color to any kitchen.​

  • Silhouette (1953): A departure from floral motifs, this design features black silhouettes against a cream background.​

  • Rooster (1955): Embodying country charm, the Rooster pattern is a nod to rural life.​

  • Dutch Tulip (1956): Inspired by traditional Dutch designs, this pattern features bold tulip motifs.​

  • American Red Bud (Teardrop) (1957): Named after the redbud tree, this pattern showcases teardrop-shaped blossoms.​

  • Morning Glory (1958): Depicting the morning glory flower, this design exudes elegance.​

  • Autumn Foliage (1959): Capturing the essence of fall, this pattern features leaves in warm hues.​

  • Double Apple (1959): A variation of the Apple pattern, featuring two apples for added visual interest.​

  • Tulip (1961): A fresh take on floral design, the Tulip pattern is both simple and striking.​

Specialty and Advertising Pieces

Watt Pottery also produced pieces with customized advertising for various businesses, including grocery stores, hardware stores, and seed companies. These items are highly collectible due to their rarity and unique branding.