CLAY SKETCHES
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
This document is being prepared by Mr. Gary Stout and
Mr. Michael Fagan for the benefit of art pottery collectors sharing similar
interests. Mr. Stout is an in-law of the family of
the founders of Clay Sketches. Mr. Fagan is a collector and serves
as "Webmaster" for this page. Email links are provided at the bottom
of the page should you wish to make contact. If you have information
to add, please contact us.
The Frog vase above came with brown eyes (shown) and also
with yellow eyes.
Clay Sketches was started by Cy and Edna Peterson in 1943.
The original shop was at the corner of Mentor Avenue and Green Street,
but volume soon demanded a move to larger facilities on South Chester.
Over the years a sucession of partners were brought in and later bought
out as business conditions required or allowed. Eventually the pottery
was wholly owned by the Petersons. I appears to have remained
active until 1956 or 1957, although that date is not 100 percent
sure. It may have continued on a time longer.
.....Mike Schneider
It appears that Howard and Arthur Ball sold their "Ball Craft" business
to the Petersons in 1942 (escrow closed in 1943). We hope to get new
informantion on the sale, the Clay Sketches business, and the subsequent
successes of the Ball brothers from our new
e-friend Dan Ball (son of Arthur Ball).
Cockatoo - 8.5"
These came in two basic patterns...where one has a flower, the other
has a leaf. It came in 8 color schemes that we know of.
"Bluebirds of Happiness" "Heron" "California Carollers"
The bud vases (left and right) and Mr. and Mrs. Robin (below)
also came in white and lime.
The shorebird (center) came in 4 basic color schemes plus several
marked as "Dalmation Heron". Some of the "Dalmations" look
as though they were overpainted...showing very dark legs.
THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Mr. and Mrs English Robin (left) with a 5" single bluebird (right). The
single bird came in 4 colors that we know of.
In the center is an 11" vase that was produced with different
painted scenes. The vase was also sold with a shorebird attached
to a common base...this configuration was also used as a lamp
base.
An extremely rare "Single Bird with Spread Wings" Lamp from
the collection of the son of Cy and Edna Peterson
An equally rare wooden mold-form...also in the collection
of the son of the Petersons
This piece (recently spotted on eBay) is being attributed to
Clay Sketches by Mr Fagan. It is a variation of Mr and Mrs Engish Robin.
Pasadena is the home of the Tournament of Roses Parade
and the famous "Rose Bowl" football game every new year.
This appears to be an offering produced in association with that event.
The script bottom stamp "Tournament ?f Roses/Pasadena Calif"
is the same style as the more common "Clay Sketches" stamp.
I will continue to search for proof.
Contact Mr. Michael Fagan
Contact Mr. Gary Stout
