California Modernist Sculptor, Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf Thumb Pot Planter
View Similar Items
California Modernist Sculptor, Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf Thumb Pot Planter
About the Item
- Creator:Stan Bitters (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Diameter: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. no cracks or repairs.
- Seller Location:Las Vegas, NV
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU119522173472
Stan Bitters
An icon of modernist ceramics since the 1960s, Stan Bitters constructed rough assemblages of clay slabs and spoked wheels into massive murals and tall totems, upsizing his medium to an architectural scale.
Like Toshiko Takaezu, Peter Voulkos, Paul Soldner and others, Bitters was part of a small group of American artists during the mid-20th-century who embraced imperfection in their pottery.
Working in ceramics, a material that during the last 100 years was relegated to the supposedly lesser artistic realm of craft, Bitters and these other artists made bold, chunky pieces that served as a counterpoint to the smooth lines and overall slickness of modern and postmodern movements like Bauhaus, constructivism, minimalism, Op art and Pop art.
Hailing from Fresno, California, the self-proclaimed “old hippie” Bitters earned his bachelor’s degree in painting from UCLA. He also studied at what became Otis College in Los Angeles under Voulkos — the bad boy of American ceramics.
Voulkos almost single-handedly spawned what came to be known as the California Clay Movement and flouted pottery’s approved techniques. He transformed clay into a vibrant, highly expressive artistic medium, and Bitters’ funky, fractured style certainly shows it.
Bitters later became associated with organic modernism and created ceramics for Hans Sumpf, a maker of adobe bricks and furniture in Madera.
“Known for his Abstract Expressionist style, Bitters is a steadfast champion of environmental ceramics — the melding of natural, organic clay forms, sculptures and architectural elements into urban spaces to complement, transform and elevate their surroundings,” says Greg Nielson, of Dwell Floor Five, in Studio City, California.
With their sputtery glazes and graffiti-esque glyphs, Bitters’s works exude raw, countercultural energy.
Find Stan Bitters decorative objects, garden ornaments, planters and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1970's Romeo Rega for Mario Sabot Brass & Cane Wicker Octagon Planter PotsBy Romeo RegaLocated in Las Vegas, NVRare massive scale octagon planter pots (pair) designed by Romeo Rega for Mario Sabot. Made in Italy, 1970's. Formed on brass with 8 woven cane panels each trimmed in a polished stee...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Steel
- 19th Century Slatted Inlaid Mahogany and Copper Jardinièr PlanterLocated in Las Vegas, NV19th century slatted inlaid mahogany planter with copper liner. Beautifully hand crafted piece. Unsigned but stamped 1795 on base. Stands 19 inch tall x 14 inch wide.Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Early Victorian Planters, Cachepots and Jardini...
MaterialsCopper
- 1970s Lounge Chairs by Byron Botker for Landes of CaliforniaBy Byron BotkerLocated in Las Vegas, NVPair of fat chrome-plated steel tube sling lounge chairs designed by Byron Botker for Landes of California. Very comfortable and super cool. New premium vinyl sling in 2-tone steel ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Space Age Bar Stools by Jerry Johnson for Landes Inc. of CaliforniaBy Jerry JohnsonLocated in Las Vegas, NVPerfect for a 1970s MOD lounge decor space! Extremely rare stools from the ~Idyllwild~ collection of Landes Inc. of Californi, these 4 bar stools were designed by Jerry Johnson of ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Space Age Stools
MaterialsPVC
- Hans Wegner for Andreas Tuck Teak Dining Table Mod. AT-312, DenmarkBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Las Vegas, NVHans Wegner design mod. AT-312 drop-leaf dining table for Andreas Tuck. Made in Denmark. Seats eight comfortably. Gorgeous teak wood with amazing grain. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsTeak
- 1970s California Mission Architectural Ceramic Tile Wall Art SculptureBy Evelyn AckermanLocated in Las Vegas, NVLarge asymmetrical architectural ceramic tile wall art sculpture. Beautiful color glazes of turquoise, red and blue. Hangs on 2 D rings on bac...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic, Plywood
- Stan Bitters Thumb Pot PlanterBy Stan BittersLocated in Santa Barbara, CARare mid century modernist planter and tray designed by Fresno, CA artist Stan Bitters (produced by Hans Sumpf Company). This piece is a unique test...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCeramic
- Monumental Stan Bitters Stoneware Ceramic Planter for Hans SumpfBy Stan Bitters, Hans SumpfLocated in Los Angeles, CAMonumental Stan Bitters stoneware ceramic planter for Hans Sumpf.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsStoneware
- Vessel by Stan Bitters for Hans SumpfBy Stan Bitters, Hans SumpfLocated in Palm Springs, CAStan Bitters planter with incised floral motif on both sides. This vessel was designed by one of California's great ceramicist's and manufactured by Hans Sumpf.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Mushroom Table and Stools by Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf Company, USA 1970sBy Stan Bitters, Hans SumpfLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautiful and rare mushroom table and stools set by noted Californian ceramicist, Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf company. As a pioneer of the organic modernist craft movement in the 1960s, Bitters has been producing rough-hewn ceramic birdhouses...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsConcrete
- Set of Three Thumbpots by Stan Bitters, USA, 2017By Stan BittersLocated in Berlin, DESet of a large brown, a medium white and a small black thumbpot by Fresno, California Artist Stan Bitters. The planters are hand-built with thumbprint design. The hand-built, organic...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCeramic, Clay
$21,558 / set - Large California Modern David Cressey for Architectural Pottery Planter PotBy Architectural Pottery, David CresseyLocated in Ferndale, MITo me Architectural Pottery is one of the mid century companies that helps to define California modern aesthetic . This David Cressey pot is a fine example...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsPottery