 | The American Heritage Shop at St. Alban's |
| The American Heritage Shop at St. Alban's |
A Store with a Unique Focus on Quality Products from America and Old World Europe |
|
|
|
We're Sorry that we have such a limited offering of Bennington pottery. Bennington has deceided to stop wholesaling their pottery and only sell it direct. | ||
Into Our Second Half-Century
Bennington Potters was founded in 1948 by a young potter named David Gil. David had just finished his studies and graduated from Alfred University, which even then was renowned for its ceramics program - considered by many to be the finest in this country. As fate would have it, David jumped at the opportunity to purchase a small barn near downtown Bennington, Vermont, where he began what would become his life's work - designing and producing handcrafted pottery intended for everyday use, functional and affordable art for discerning individuals. So began the tradition of Bennington Potters.
The early years were lean and cold. The barn studio was unheated, and the demand for handcrafted goods wasn't even a glimmer of what it is today. Despite these and other hardships, David made the commitment to the life of a craftsman, knowing it was the only life he could lead - a courageous and unusual choice in those post-war years. While many of his pears gravitated toward the comfort and security of university teaching positions, and others, without the need to earn a real income, chose to create esoteric art pottery, David remained focused, striving to produce beautiful objects for everyday use, objects that wed the artist's eye and the craftsman's hand. Not surprisingly, many of the pieces made in those first couple decades are actively sought by collectors today, a tribute to David's early vision and commitment.
In time, history smiled on Bennington Potters. During the late '60s and early '70s, when interest in handcrafts exploded, Bennington Potters grew with it. David took on more apprentices and relocated the studio to our current facilities at Potter's Yard, a 4-1/2 acre site with two historic buildings. Over the years, as demand continued to grow, additions were built on to the studio space, a retail shop was opened, and then another, and a catalog was launched. Additionally, responding to our customers' requests, we've expanded our range of offerings, both in the retail stores and in our catalog, and now include complimentary lines of glassware, table linens, and furniture. More recently, the grounds around the studio and original retail shop have been beautifully landscaped.
Bennington Potters is now considered a destination by both craft-pottery collectors and those who appreciate the warmth of country decor. Visiting the retail shop at Potter's Yard is an experience enjoyed by thousands each year - folks who appreciate the way beautiful, well-formed objects can enhance the pleasure of a meal and contribute in some small way to the quality of their lives.
Well into our sixth decade now, Bennington Potters has come a long way from that unheated barn studio and we've maintained the values that took us there in the first place - the commitment to producing objects that, as the great English ceramist, Bernard Leach, put it, "have a genuine heartbeat." These objects, whose forms feel so perfectly suited to the human hand, and whose visual lines both spring from and touch the human heart, are, and will continue to be, the essence of Bennington Potters.
Bennington Tavernware
Bennington Potters is proud to display our devotion to time honored traditions by introducing Bennington Tavenware, created using a long lost recipe we’ve recently rediscovered. A Bennington Potters original, this collection combines our simple, organic designs and a classic matte glaze, which is hand rubbed to highlight the deep mahogany clay body. The resulting finish is a unique, soft tawny brown with an intriguing variation to each piece, reminiscent of early American pottery.
Aptly named Bennington Tavenware, each piece looks as if it has served up sustenance for centuries, and is now ready to become a collector’s item in your own home. The earthy tones blend beautifully with our popular Mustard or classic Blue Agate glazes. Like all our fine pottery, Bennington Tavenware is oven, freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe.
About Our Glazes - More colors then ever before
If you haven't visited one of our retail stores or seen a recent catalog, we have great news - our pottery is available in more colors than before. We now make pieces in Black on Green, Morning Glory Blue and Morning Glory Yellow too. This spring we added Tawny, our new handrubbed matte glaze available on our dark clay Tavernware pieces. Throughout our website shopping area and mail order catalog, you'll see small color squares below the description of each item we produce, indicating which glazes that item is made in.
While we produce Blue Agate daily, production runs of the other glazes are less frequent, so occasionally there may be a wait for these items. We'll let you know when that's the case. But even if you do have to wait a bit for a piece, remember, that item is likely to become an heirloom you pass on to your children. Given that, a few weeks wait takes on a new perspective entirely.
| ||||||||||||||||
 |
Blue Agate Glaze - A classic country blue and cream, this is our most popular color and one that works well with any other. |
 | Mustard Glaze - Our Mustard glaze sports a soft matte finish that blends beautifully with our Blue Agate and works well with colors like cream, earthy greens and browns, and even black. |
 | Tawny Glaze - This hand-rubbed matte glaze is a rich, warm brown, perfect for use with antique linens and gently worn wooden furniture. Classic matte glaze, which is hand-rubbed to highlight the deep mahogany clay body, creates a resulting finish that is a unique, soft tawny brown with an intriguing variation to each piece, reminiscent of early American pottery |
 | Morning Glory Blue Glaze - Bright and cheerful, our light blue glaze is wonderful with white, yellow and other brights. Envision clear blue morning glory flowers and you've got the picture. |
 | Morning Glory Yellow Glaze - Like sunshine on a June morning, Morning Glory Yellow is a joyful mix of golden yellow and white, always uplifting and able to elicit a smile. Sorry - Discontinued |
|
Black on Green Glaze - This rich green and black combination translates the time-honored tartan watch plaid colors into a warm, country look. If you love the saturated greens of summer gardens and winter holidays, this is the glaze for you. White on White Glaze - Sorry - Discontinued
Cobalt "Starry Skies" Blue - Sometimes confused with Blue Agate (above), Cobalt, or "Starry Skies" as we like to call it, is a bright royal blue with white undertones. If you enjoy bright colors, especially cobalt blue, then this is the glaze for you
Blackberry Organics - Introduced Feb 2005
Cinnamon Organics - Introduced Feb 2005 - A new glaze that is similar to Tavernware, except without the hand-rubbed finish. Without the burnished effect of the hand-rubbed finish, the Tavernware glaze takes on a new look - we called it Cinnamon. Organics are glazed over a mahogany clay base, giving them a rich, deep patina. Elements Green Glaze - Introduced Feb 2005 - Element Green is a deep forest green that combines very well with rustic country-style decors. A simple matte hue without the distraction of splatterware, crafted from minerals and semi-precious stones. Very similar to Pine Green Glaze Elements Blue Glaze - Introduced Feb 2005 - Elements Blue is a lighter blue that is sure to brighten any room. Reminiscent of the old Bennington Blue Glaze from years ago
Organics Chocolate Glaze - Introduced Feb 2005 - Chocolate Organics are glazed over a mahogany clay base, giving them a rich, deep patina. If bright colors are not your style and you appreciate softer tones, this is the glaze color for you |
Care of Your Bennington Potters Stoneware
Pottery Care
If you are new to the joys of using handmade high-fired stoneware, allow us to provide a little helpful information.
One of the first things you'll discover using Bennington Potters stoneware is the way the clay hold and distributes the heat for evenly browned crusts and casseroles that cook uniformly. If you're accustomed to bakeware that has hotspots, you'll be delighted with our stoneware.
Our glazes have all been developed to be 100% lead free, so you don't need to give health issues a second thought. Also, our glaze quality and the high temperatures at which we fire our pottery result in surfaces with very low porosity, so foods can't stick and clean up is a snap. No need to soak baked-on cheeses and sauces.
Bennington Potters stoneware may be used with confidence in your oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher.
Very hot and very cold temperatures are handled nicely by our stoneware, but sharp temperature swings are not. As with any high quality clay-based pieces, rapid changes in temperature will deliver "shocks" and will not allow for the natural expansion and contraction required by the clay. Do not, for example, pour cold liquids into hot bowls or take a casserole dish out of the freezer and put it directly into a hot oven. Likewise, use over direct heat, i.e. range burners and open flames, is not recommended.
While all clay products are breakable, ours are incredibly tough because of the way we make them. First, we use clay that is mixed to our own carefully developed specifications, then we apply thick, durable glazes to seal the pieces, and finally we kiln fire our stoneware at high temperatures so the clay particles fuse together into strong, highly chip-resistant pieces.
With a little care, your Bennington Pottery will provide many years of dependable service and pleasure.
Enjoy!
Home - Security Policy - Privacy - Purchase Policies - About Us - Shop Products
Copyrighted © ® & TM: 2002 - 2012 - All rights reserved - PCG Inc.
All Images & content property of The American Heritage Shop, Div of PCG. Inc. with permission of
artists and manufacturers - NO Reproduction by any means without express written authorization
