Locations: Claremont, Joshua Tree
Dates of Operation: 1945 - 1994
Values: Check on Ebay for approximate prices

  Featured Howard Pierce items (view more)

Howard Pierce Owls - Potteries of California

Previously, I’ve had to apologize for the lack of Howard Pierce ceramics pictures here. However, in the past couple months (writing this as of August 2008) I’ve come across more than a few pieces at thrifts and flea markets, so I’ll be putting up pictures as I have time.

In any case, there is already a ton of info on this popular, collectible and influential potter. It’s some of my favorite California Pottery, for the simple brown and white glazes, the immaculate, modernistic designs and the timeless look. Pierce is probably best known by the average person for his ceramic animal figurines - a whole variety of different animal designs exist, which make it a lot of fun to collect.

Since there’s already so much information about him, I’ll just give the basics: Pierce began working for William Manker in the 30s, started his own business in the mid 1940s in Claremont, CA and later moved it to the desert at Joshua Tree, CA. He created pottery and ceramics up until he passed away in 1994.

In addition to figurines and various other pieces, he produced quite a few larger pieces of sculpture, many which still exist in Joshua Tree. Indeed, he was considered one of Joshua Tree’s more famous residents. I plan to visit Joshua Tree again one of these days to take some pictures of his sculptures.

It’s interesting to note that while many of his items were created earlier, there are quite few items that were produced up to the 80s and 90s. So, the items you may see may actually be newer items. That hasn’t dampened their desirability, as far as I can tell.

The Howard Pierce name stamped is often stamped on the bottom in ink. We have some pieces that simply have inmold stamps of “Pierce” as well. Sometimes on earlier pieces you’ll see “Claremont, Calif” added. Additionally, the word “Porcelain” sometimes appears in conjunction with his name.

One of the most important things for the Pierce collector to remember (and something I’ve had to learn the hard way myself) is that for animal sets that have multiple figures NOT ALL figurines may be marked! For instance, for our owls pictured above ONLY the larger one is marked. This isn’t a problem if you find them as a set. But if you come across only the unmarked piece then you’ll have to recognize it, or just take a chance. I say take a chance, because there are quite a few Pierce knock-off import pieces being made that have a glaze that looks awfully similar to the real deal.

Potteries of CaliforniaPotteries of CaliforniaPotteries of California

You can find a lot of additional information and pictures at the official site, Howard Pierce Ceramics. There is also supposedly a very good reference for his pottery called the Collector’s Encyclopedia of Howard Pierce Porcelain by Darlene Dommel - but that book is currently out of print.

Note: We've tried to provide as much info as possible on this pottery maker or artist. For further info, you may want to research the items they have on Ebay listed under this name. We've tried to hand tailor the searches below so they will bring up the most accurate results. If there are no results, it will list general California pottery.

   Howard Pierce items



08-09 Topps Chrome Refractor Lot 62 cards Howard Pierce
Current Price: $18.25
Current Bids: 3
Ends in: 6h 12m



Vintage Howard Pierce Pottery Geese Goose Gander Family
Current Price: $99.99
Current Bids:
Ends in: 7h 18m



Vintage 50s HOWARD PIERCE MONK w/DOVES FLOWER FROG
Current Price: $50.99
Current Bids: 6
Ends in: 17h 56m



HOWARD PIERCE Figurines, Mama Bear & Cub, ex. condition
Current Price: $15.50
Current Bids: 6
Ends in: 17h 59m



Howard Pierce 3 piece Quail family
Current Price: $24.99
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 1d 11h 58m



Howard Pierce Porcelain Cats Pair/ Excellent Condition
Current Price: $99.95
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 2d 10h 8m



25 NBA cards Kobe Bryant Paul Pierce Josh Smith Howard
Current Price: $0.25
Current Bids: 1
Ends in: 2d 12h 38m



Vintage California Howard Pierce Pottery Goose 5 1/4"
Current Price: $9.99
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 3d 11h 15m



Howard Pierce Stylized Pink Chicken Sculpture
Current Price: $9.99
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 3d 19h 26m



vintage 1960s HOWARD PIERCE POTTERY MADONNA & CHILD
Current Price: $29.99
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 4d 9h 11m



HOWARD PIERCE PINK ELEPHANT 4 1/2" TALL SIGNED 1988
Current Price: $125.00
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 4d 13h 29m



HOWARD PIERCE BLACK/WHITE PENQUINS PAIR STAMPED
Current Price: $99.00
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 4d 13h 29m



5 RETRO HOWARD PIERCE ART POTTERY BIRD FIGURINES MINT!
Current Price: $49.95
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 4d 14h 30m



HOWARD PIERCE ANGEL, ORIGINAL 1950s
Current Price: $13.00
Current Bids: 2
Ends in: 5d 14h 58m


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