Bauer: California's Vibrant Ringware and Art Pottery
Bauer Pottery, founded by John Andrew Bauer in 1885 in Paducah, Kentucky, and relocated to Los Angeles in 1909, became one of the most important California pottery producers of the twentieth century. Bauer is best known for its brilliantly colored Ring Ware dinnerware line (introduced 1932), which predated and likely inspired Fiesta Ware. The company also produced exceptional art pottery, garden ware, and kitchenware in the bold, saturated glazes that defined California pottery until the company closed in 1962.
Major Lines and Styles
- Ring Ware (1932-1962): The signature Bauer line; concentric ring pattern in vivid glaze colors including Jade Green, Chinese Yellow, Orange-Red, Delph Blue, Burgundy, and Black; plates, bowls, pitchers, tumblers, and mixing bowls
- Plain Ware (1930s-1940s): Streamlined, undecorated dinnerware in the same vivid Bauer glazes
- Hi-Fire art pottery: Matt Carlton's hand-thrown art pottery line featuring vases, bowls, and jardinieres in rich matte and semi-matte glazes
- Monterey Moderne (1948-1961): Sleek, mid-century modern dinnerware in softer colors; the company's later premium line
- Garden pottery: Oil jars, jardinieres, birdbaths, and planters in large sizes with Bauer's characteristic glazes
- Cal-Art line: Fred Johnson's 1930s-1940s figurals and vases; Swan and Hippo planters are iconic
Identification and Marks
- Ink stamps: "BAUER / MADE IN U.S.A. / LOS ANGELES" in various configurations; "BAUER" in an oval is common
- In-mold marks: "BAUER" or "BAUER USA" impressed or raised in the clay body
- Glaze identification: Bauer's glazes are distinctively thick, glossy, and intensely colored; they often pool in crevices and show slight variation
- Ring Ware recognition: The concentric ring pattern is unmistakable; count the rings to identify specific forms
- No mark does not mean not Bauer: Many legitimate Bauer pieces, especially early and art pottery, are unmarked; form and glaze are the primary identifiers
Auction Price Ranges
| Category | Typical Range | Exceptional Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Ring Ware plates and bowls | $30 - $150 | $400+ for rare colors (black, white) |
| Ring Ware pitchers | $100 - $500 | $1,500+ for ball pitchers in rare colors |
| Ring Ware mixing bowls (nested set) | $200 - $800 | $2,000+ for complete sets in rare colors |
| Matt Carlton art pottery | $200 - $2,000 | $5,000+ for large, exceptional forms |
| Oil jars and large garden ware | $500 - $3,000 | $8,000+ for monumental sizes |
| Cal-Art figurals (Swan, Hippo) | $50 - $300 | $800+ for rare glazes |
| Monterey Moderne dinnerware | $20 - $100 | $300+ for unusual forms/colors |
Condition Factors
- Glaze chips: Bauer's thick glaze chips easily, especially on rim edges; chips are common but still reduce value 20-40%
- Crazing: Fine craze lines in the glaze are common on Bauer pottery and generally accepted by collectors
- Ring Ware stacking marks: Wear marks from stacked plates are common and expected on used dinnerware
- Cracks: Structural cracks, especially in mixing bowls and large pieces, significantly reduce value
- Color fading: Bauer glazes are typically stable; fading suggests a reproduction or unusual firing
Collecting Tips
- Color drives the market: Rare Bauer colors (black, white, burgundy in later pieces) command premiums of 3-10 times over common colors
- Ring Ware is the gateway: Affordable, usable, and instantly recognizable, Ring Ware is the most popular Bauer collecting category
- Matt Carlton art pottery is undervalued: Hand-thrown art pottery pieces represent Bauer's finest craftsmanship and are still relatively affordable
- Beware reproductions: Bauer Ring Ware was reissued in the 2000s; new production is generally thinner-walled and lighter in weight
- Mix and match is authentic: Bauer dinnerware was sold in mixed color sets; multicolor table settings are true to the original marketing
- Garden pottery needs inspection: Large oil jars and jardinieres often have hairline cracks from outdoor use; inspect thoroughly before purchasing