Fall colors in ceramic. Edith Heath began throwing her simple, modernist bowls, cups and plates in 1948, before Sausalito became the land of cheap trinkets and stunning, tourist-obscured views. Now, Heath Ceramics have become a "Hot Product" but we love seeing them creep back into design stores, where they rightfully belong...
Dwell points out that the Heath style came out of "the Depression-era traditions that defined California pottery," and they suggest that such an aesthetic may once again be appropriate to the times. Interesting point. Grace over at Design*Sponge says no that "no visit to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to Heath." Here's pics from her recent visit.
We particularly like the "Rim Line" shown here. You can find Heath items in New York at the MoMA Design stores; Moss in Soho; Sublime in Tribeca, or Matter in Brooklyn. Or, you can buy direct from the site.
NOTE: Every two weeks Heath puts out a list of overstock items (bottom of this page) where you can find great tile at discount prices. Nice.
(ReEdited from 2004-05-25 - MGR)
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A great fortune is a great slavery...
I am soooooo in love with the Heath ceramics tableware. I'd love to see a lot more small shops carrying them.
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The Depression wasn't as big an influence on California pottery as was WWII, when imported china and porcelain weren't available. After the war, new families wanted more casual households than those of their own Depression-era childhoods. From the Dwell piece:
To claim that Heath Ceramics sport a Depression-era aesthetic is to misjudge her work as well as the aesthetics of the actual 1930s. Does anyone really think we're reliving the the Dust Bowl?
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Relax, Palmetto.
view ccs's profile
I'm relaxed--after all, what's a little historical accuracy between design mavens? Unless, of course, writers are trying for some political commentary that's not warrented.
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