David Cressey, a multi-disciplinary artist who had a six-decade career, created pottery and ceramics that revolutionized indoor/outdoor planters with their architectural style. Implementing artistic functionality into his pieces, Cressey designed in modern and mid-century modern styles. He created many planters, vases and table lamps, which remain highly desirable to collectors.
Cressey was the first artist in residence at Architectural Pottery in Los Angeles in 1961, helping to transform its urban and residential work. This was highly influential in the architecture and design worlds as the company mass-produced and sold sculptural, functional pieces.
Cressey also opened a design studio in Venice Beach, California, collaborating with Group Artec and Earthgender Ceramics. When Architectural Pottery closed in the mid-1980s due to a fire, Cressey continued to produce art, this time in the medium of mixed media on wood.
Cressey artwork evokes a similar physical and sensory experience as his vessels, lanterns and folk art ceramics. Evocatively Californian, his paintings evolved from his clay-based practice with a masterful use of color, saturation and texture. His fine art training included studying at the University of Southern California under Vivika Heino and at the University of California, Los Angeles, with Laura Andreson.
In 2006, he received the California Design Award. Museums that have exhibited his work include the Pasadena Art Museum in 1967, the Everson Museum of Art in 1961, the Oakland Museum of California in 1961 and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2011.
On 1stDibs, find a rare collection of David Cressey building and garden elements, decorative objects, lighting and more.
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell Stoneware “Sunburst” Bowl Planter for Earthgender
By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell, Robert Maxwell and David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unglazed stoneware bowl planter from David Cressey and Robert Maxwell's 1970's collaboration, Earthgender. The 15.5" diameter planter has a rounded lip with an unglazed interior, ...
Pottery, Stoneware
David Cressey Pink Glazed Bullet Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bullet planter by David Cressey from the Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The planter is finished in a 'millennial pink' glaze. The top of the planter has slightly b...
Stoneware
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
David Cressey Flame Glaze Table Lamp, Ceramic, 1970s
By David Cressey
Located in South Jordan, UT
Stunning, large scale David Cressey flame glaze ceramic lamp circa 1970s. This lamp features unique earth tones composed of deep maroons, brown, bl...
Ceramic
Large Terra Major Speckled Dish with Lid by David Cressey for AP
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Speckled Dish with Lid for Terra Major Gourmet Ware by David Cressey, Architectural Pottery, c. 1970's, USA Glazed Stone White H 8.75" x D 17.75" FDV-L022 *Wear consistent w...
Stoneware
Ceramic Table Lamp by David Cressey
By David Cressey
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderfully glazed and textured table lamp by Davis Cressey.
Ceramic
David Cressey “Phoenix” Planter for Architectural Pottery, c. 1960s
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional “Phoenix” model planter designed by David Cressey for the Architectural Pottery Pro/Artisan collection, circa 1960s. Executed in white glazed stoneware, the vessel fea...
Ceramic
Model 5043 Pro/Artisan Planter by David Cressey for AP
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 5043 Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery Pro/Artisan Collection, c. 1960's, USA Glazed Dark Olive H 11.25" x D 18.75" FDV11372 *Wear consistent with age and u...
Stoneware
David Cressey Pro/Artisan Sand Urn for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery's Pro/Artisan collection. This planter has a soft olive green speckle glazed exterior and interior. The top of the planter has slig...
Stoneware
David Cressey Flame-Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Flame Glaze.” This planter has a flat lipped rim and wide belly that tappe...
Stoneware
David Cressey Ceramic Planter for Architectural Pottery, 1960s
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic bowl planter from David Cressey's Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The planter has a gray speckled glazed interior and exterior, with slightly bowed sides an...
Ceramic
David Cressey Cylindrical Flame-Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Flame Glaze.” This planter has a slim cylindrical body, a simple shape re...
Ceramic
Model 5050 "Expressive" Pro/Artisan Planter by David Cressey for AP
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 5050 "Expressive" Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery Pro/Artisan Collection, Dated 1-14-77, USA Glazed Purple H 19.25" x D 17.5" FDV11373 *Wear consistent wi...
Stoneware
Large Terra Major Speckled Bowl by David Cressey for AP
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Speckled Bowl for Terra Major Gourmet Ware by David Cressey, Architectural Pottery, c. 1970's, USA Glazed Stone White H 7.5" x D 18.25" FDV-L019 *Wear consistent with age an...
Stoneware