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.
Model 4028 "Flame Glaze" Pro/Artisan Planter by David Cressey for AP
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 4028 "Flame Glaze" Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery Pro/Artisan Collection, c. 1960's, USA Flame Glaze, Golden Ochre H 15.75" x D 16.75" FDV-G024 *Wear consis...
Stoneware
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender Rimmed Sunburst Planter
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand thrown stoneware planter, circa 1970s, USA, is a result of the collaboration between David Cressey & Robert Maxwell to create the line Earthgender. This hand thrown planter...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender “Sunburst” Planter
By Robert Maxwell, Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand thrown stoneware planter from Earthgender, David Cressey and Robert Maxwell’s early 1970s project. This 13.5” diameter example is incised in the “Sunburst” design a pattern of l...
Stoneware
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 Flame-Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
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 Pro/Artisan Flame-Glaze 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 with Cressey’s signature “Flame Glaze." This planter has slightly bowed sides and a flattened lip. Dimen...
Ceramic
David Cressey Triangular Stoneware Lamp for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
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
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
David Cressey Flame-Glaze Bowl Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bell-shaped planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Flame Glaze.” This bowl planter has a wide round opening that...
Stoneware
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell Stoneware “Sunburst” Bowl Planter for Earthgender
By Robert Maxwell, Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unglazed stoneware bowl planter from David Cressey and Robert Maxwell's 1970's collaboration, Earthgender. The planter has a rounded lip with a dark speckle glazed interior, an in...
Stoneware
Marilyn Kay Austin Leaf Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Marilyn Kay Austin, Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glazed planter by ceramics artist Marilyn Kay Austin for Architectural Pottery with glazing and leaf pattern by David Cressey. This example, features a rounded square shape and all o...
Ceramic
Pair of David Cressey Stoneware Lamps, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 1960s
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of David Cressey stoneware lamps, USA, c.1960s. The wheel thrown stoneware lamps feature a speckled olive colored glaze with applied textured drip details. The ceramic form sits...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Walnut, Linen
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
David Cressey Ceramic Table Lamp
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic table lamp.
Brass
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 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