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



Howard Pierce TALL VASE Stamped, Hand Signed, Mint
Current Price: $35.00
Current Bids: 1
Ends in: 21h 40m



Howard Pierce Pair of Bunnies, Stamp, Signed, Mint
Current Price: $66.99
Current Bids: 29
Ends in: 21h 44m



MID-CENTURY HOWARD PIERCE POTTERY MAIDEN WITH BASKET
Current Price: $24.99
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 1d 15m



HOWARD PIERCE ART POTTERY WIENER DOG PAIR FIGURINES
Current Price: $36.00
Current Bids: 3
Ends in: 1d 2h 12m



Howard Pierce Pottery Cat Figurine.
Current Price: $17.48
Current Bids: 3
Ends in: 1d 9h 2m



VINTAGE Howard Pierce Trademark Sign FREE SHIPPING
Current Price: $299.99
Current Bids:
Ends in: 1d 18h 2m



VINTAGE HOWARD PIERCE POTTERY SNOW OWLS SET
Current Price: $29.99
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 1d 19h 50m



HOWARD PIERCE MOUSE CA ART POTTERY MID CEN MODERN MARK
Current Price: $14.49
Current Bids: 7
Ends in: 1d 20h 41m



Howard Pierce Native Man Figurine
Current Price: $18.50
Current Bids: 5
Ends in: 1d 21h 13m



VINTAGE HOWARD PIERCE SNOW OWL GLOSS FINISH
Current Price: $11.70
Current Bids: 2
Ends in: 2d 5h 46m



VINTAGE HOWARD PIERCE SNOW OWL MATTE FINISH
Current Price: $9.99
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 2d 5h 47m



Howard Pierce Elephant, Stamped and Signed by Pierce
Current Price: $175.00
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 2d 5h 58m



Mid Century Howard Pierce Pottery Vase Green Black A12
Current Price: $25.00
Current Bids: 1
Ends in: 2d 7h 22m



HOWARD PIERCE Quail Figures
Current Price: $9.99
Current Bids: 0
Ends in: 2d 21h 3m


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