Over the years, I’ve definitely slowed down on my purchases of California pottery at thrift stores. In the beginning, I was pretty much buying anything I could identify as being from California. Three reasons for that. The first is that in many cases I didn’t have examples (especially of the backstamps) for the reference. Secondly, I didn’t have a phone that had a camera on it until rather recently - so I couldn’t just take pictures for the ref. Thirdly, my tastes have just changed.

This Cemar Clay Products decorative low bowl is a pretty good example of the type of things I’ve been choosing to leave behind at the thrift after just taking a picture. I sort of think of it as the equivalent of “catch and release” for fishing, haha. It’s still thrilling to spot older California items at the thrift, even if it’s not something I’m willing to bring home. The hunt for items is often what I enjoy the most.

I already have quite a few of these freeform solid color maroon or pink bowls by different makers - this Cemar piece actually reminds me a bit of Artistic Potteries). I’ve just outgrown this sort of shape and glaze, which is typical of the 1930s-40s. Most of the California pottery I’ve been interested in recently is more 1950s-60s and has a modern look to it. That said, if I spot something I know is rare or valuable, I can easily be persuaded to scoop it up.