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 Stone Black Ribbed Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bell-shaped planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature "ribbed" pattern with jet black glaze. This planter has a wide r...
Stoneware
David Cressey Large Stoneware Pro/Artisan Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large scale stoneware planter from David Cressey's Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The planter has a natural stoneware exterior and interior, with slightly bowed si...
Stoneware
David Cressey Pro Artisan Series Ceramic Table Lamp
By David Cressey
Located in San Francisco, CA
David Cressey design Pro Artisan series ceramic table lamp. Eye catching drip glaze pattern on a impressive scale terracotta body. Ready to install and enjoy.
Ceramic
David Cressey Pro/Artisan Blue Flame-Glaze Sand Urn for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery's Pro/Artisan collection with Cressey’s signature Blue “Flame Glaze." This planter has slightly bowed sides and a flattened lip. ...
Ceramic
David Cressey Triangular Stoneware Lamp for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey stoneware lamp, c.1960s, USA. The wheel thrown stoneware lamp features an olive green speckled glaze with applied textured lines that intersect at the top of the lamp c...
Bronze
$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
David Cressey California Modern Architectural Pottery Pro Artisan Planter Pot
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern ceramic planter pot designed by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery Pro/Artisan. This hand poured stoneware vessel featu...
Ceramic, Clay
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 “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
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
David Cressey Cylindrical Flame-Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
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
David Cressey Pink Glazed Bullet Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
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
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
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