GENERAL DESCRIPTION
In 1955, the Edwin M. Knowles Pottery Company commissioned designer Russel Wright to produce an inexpensive, yet appealing, tableware line to be marketed through discount stores and mail-order firms. As it turned out, Russel Wright’s designs accomplished neither goal. From the beginning there were problems with the sophisticated matte glazes, for example. Retailers found that the pale ware photographed poorly and thus was difficult to sell through catalogues. And shoppers apparently considered the shapes too strange. To improve the situation, Wright suggested the application of new decoration patterns and the restyling of some shapes. But Knowles, which was already under financial stress, discounted Esquire in 1962 and went out of business the following year.
Adapted from
Charles L. Venable, China and Glass in America 1880-1980 (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art: New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2000), 463.
NOTES
updated CCs, tags - 9/18 (JBA)
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PROVENANCE
Until 1996: Laguna, Seattle, Washington [1]
From 1996: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from the above [1]
[1] See Dallas Museum of Art Object Receipt (dated September 30, 1996, copy in Collections Records Object File)
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Apply to objects where number equals 1996.167.2
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General Description
In 1955, the Edwin M. Knowles Pottery Company commissioned designer Russel Wright to produce an inexpensive, yet appealing, tableware line to be marketed through discount stores and mail-order firms. As it turned out, Russel Wright’s designs accomplished neither goal. From the beginning there were problems with the sophisticated matte glazes, for example. Retailers found that the pale ware photographed poorly and thus was difficult to sell through catalogues. And shoppers apparently considered the shapes too strange. To improve the situation, Wright suggested the application of new decoration patterns and the restyling of some shapes. But Knowles, which was already under financial stress, discounted Esquire in 1962 and went out of business the following year.
Adapted from
Charles L. Venable, China and Glass in America 1880-1980 (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art: New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2000), 463.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
updated CCs, tags - 9/18 (JBA)
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1996: Laguna, Seattle, Washington [1]
From 1996: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from the above [1]
[1] See Dallas Museum of Art Object Receipt (dated September 30, 1996, copy in Collections Records Object File)
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1996.167.2
source file
object_notes_4_a-0431.xml.nores