The Gonder Collector

Mission

The mission of this web site is to share knowledge, promote respect and broaden popularity for this often overlooked and misunderstood art pottery.

The website is a work in progress. There are many more pages to come including detail pages for most items produced at Gonder Ceramic Arts.

The Audience

Who will benefit from this web site? Collectors, dealers, auctioneers, sons, daughters, grandchildren that have found themselves with a piece of Gonder - really just about anyone that has come across a piece of this often elusive pottery! Anyone that deals in American Art pottery should also consider expanding their knowledge to include this wonder example of 1940's and 1950's vintage pottery.

Find My Item Quick Link

Need help finding information about your Gonder piece? Use the Find My Item Quick Links.

Find Us on Facebook

Check our The Gonder Collectors Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1649488095194308

Meet the Editor

My name is Michael Bower. I have been collecting Gonder pottery for the last 30 years. I live in Columbus, Ohio a mere 55 miles from the home of many of the great American Art Potteries of the 20th century. As the many collectors that know me can attest, I love this pottery and sometimes just can't stop talking about it! After some encouragement from fellow collectors, I have decided to undertake this venture and share my knowledge (and photos of my collection) of this pottery I have become so very fond of.

My proximity to Zanesville has afforded me frequent visits to "Clay City". These trips have been invaluable in increasing my knowledge of the pottery and my personal collection. I have spent many hours discussing this pottery with dealers, collectors and even a few former Gonder employees! These discussions have greatly increased my knowledge of the pottery but also brought to light that there is still much more we just don't know about Gonder.

Two publications have proved to be valuable resources in identifying and valuing the many pieces produced at Gonder. The first publication from Ron Hoopes was published in 1992 and was my introduction to a pottery that at that time, I knew very little about. A second guide was released in 2001 by Jim and Carol Boshears. If you do not own one of these guides, purchasing one may prove beneficial in your collecting efforts. Both guides are easily found through several on line venues.

I have also benefited greatly from the many veteran collectors that have come before me. I have met some amazing collectors and I appreciate their willingness to share their knowledge and collections in the effort to enlighten others.