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.
Californian Pro Artisan Mustard Planter by David Cressey & Raul Coronel
By Raul Coronel, David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Mustard Glaze Stoneware
Stoneware
Monumental David Cressey Phoenix-1 for Architectural Pottery Planter
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Chicago, IL
Monumental David Cressey Phoenix-1 for Architectural Pottery Planter in unglazed stoneware Unglazed with clean factory drill hole (pitchered)
Ceramic
David Cressey Pro Artisan Stoneware Platter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey Pro Artisan stoneware platter for architectural pottery.
Stoneware
Architectural Pottery Large Terra Major Covered Bowl by David Cressey
By David Cressey
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large David Cressey glazed stoneware pottery bowl with Lid for Terra Major Gourmet Ware Architectural Pottery, c. 1970's, USA Has a speckled glazed white finish in very good to excel...
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
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
$286Sale Price|38% Off
H 3.35 in Dm 5.91 in
Marselis bowl in ceramic by Nils Thorsson for Aluminia Royal Copenhagen, Denmark
By Royal Copenhagen, Nils Thorsson
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Ceramic cup bowl, model "Marselis", designed by Nils Thorsson for the Danish manufacturer Alumina Royal Copenhagen, in the 1950s. With its modern shape and its pretty, warm and inte...
Ceramic
Twosidestory Bowl by Lisette Rützou
Located in Geneve, CH
Twosidestory bowl by Lisette Rützou Dimensions: D 20 cm Materials: Onyx Lisette Rützou’s design is motivated by an urge to articulate a story. Inspired by the beauty of materia...
Onyx
Monumental Mid-20th Century American Studio Pottery Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
A monumental-scale mid-20th century American studio hand-thrown glazed ceramic bowl with fantastic texture and earthy neutral glaze colors. Signed illegibly on the bottom.
Ceramic
California Pottery Mardi Gras Plate by Marc Bellaire
By Marc Bellaire
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a beautiful midcentury California Pottery plate signed by Marc Bellaire, circa 1960s. The plate measure 9.5" in diameter and has...
Porcelain
Large "Boat Shaped" Studio Pottery Bowl, circa 1980
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large "Boat Shaped" Bowl Studio Pottery, circa 1980 " nice large size with very nice glaze, color and "G" monogram"
Pottery
New / Old Stock Inlaid Wood "Floral" Tray by Couroc California
By The Couroc Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool brand new / old stock inlaid wood "flora" tray handcrafted by Couroc California, circa 1970s. The tray is in brand new condition in original packaging with original brochu...
Resin, Wood
$140Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3 in Dm 5 in
Sugar Bowl & Spoon Designed by Michael Graves for Alessi Memphis Era
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
Sugar bowl and spoon designed by Michael Graves for Alessi, circa 1988 made in Italy. Memphis era.
Chrome
Beautiful Mid-Century Inlaid "Roadrunner" Tray by Couroc California
By The Couroc Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful super cool inlaid "Roadrunner" tray handcrafted by Couroc California, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 13.75"D x .5"H. #3584
Resin, Wood
$4,477
H 11.42 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Katharina Eichler Signed German Art Studio Stoneware Nerikomi Pottery Vase #2
By Katharina Eichler
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
We are very proud to be able to present and offer this exceptional, stunning and large sculpture vase by German artist Katharina Eichler (b.1971). This piece is from 2023 and was for...
Stoneware
$300Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1.75 in W 9 in D 16 in
Four Piece "Space Age" Serving Set of by Metlox of California
By Metlox Manufacturing Company
Located in San Diego, CA
A super cool four piece "Space Age" serving set by Metlox of California, circa 1960s. The pattern is "Poppytrail" and it is has a wonderful design and color. The set consists of the ...
Ceramic
$450Sale Price|52% Off
H 4.75 in Dm 6.75 in
Modernist Sgraffito Decorated Red Ware Pottery Bowl by Rozsika Blackstone
Located in Ferndale, MI
Rozsika Blackstone New York and Arizona, circa 1920-62 pottery vessel. Deep bowl in dark brown glaze, sgraffito decorated in an abstract vertical design allowing the red ware...
Pottery
Monumental 19th C Italian Glazed Pottery Planter
Located in Hudson, NY
This very good Italian tin glazed pottery planter is in an antique brazier form. The form from antiquity was used as a source of heat and for the burni...
Earthenware
Sold
H 9 in W 12.75 in D 12.75 in
Californian Pro Artisan "Flame Glaze"Tire Planter by David Cressey & John Follis
By David Cressey, John Follis, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Californian Pro Artisan "Flame Glaze" Tire Planter by David Cressey & John Follis
Stoneware
Pair of Stoneware Planters by David Cressey
By David Cressey
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of stoneware planters by David Cressey. These are hand thrown and were probably a custom order. These stoneware planters have an unglazed interior as well as an unglazed natural...
Stoneware
David Cressey Pro / Artisan Stone White Speckle Glazed Planter
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic planter from David Cressey's Pro / Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The 4043 / R cylindrical planter has a stone white speckle glazed exterior and interior, with...
Pottery, Stoneware
David Cressey Pro/Artisan Charcoal Glazed Bowl Planter
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic planter from David Cressey's Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The 4066 pedestal bowl planter has a wide belly that tapers at the base with a charcoal glazed ...
Clay, Pottery
David Cressey "Expressive" Glazed Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A tulip-shaped planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Expressive” texture. This ochre glazed planter has a rounded bottom...
Clay, Pottery
David Cressey Pro Artisan Bowl Planter Architectural Pottery, John Follis Form
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey planter for Architectural Pottery's Pro Artisan line, circa 1960's/1970's. The glaze is 'sienna yellow' with espresso toned flecks. It is in excellent condition. Th...
Ceramic
Sold
H 11.25 in Dm 18.25 in
David Cressey Reduction Fired Stoneware Bowl Planters for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey reduction fired stoneware planters for Architectural Pottery's Pro Artisan line, circa 1960's - 1970's. T...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Sold
H 14.5 in W 12.5 in D 12.5 in
David Cressey Sculpted Geometric Brown Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey sculpted geometric brown planter for architectural pottery.
Ceramic
David Cressey Phoenix-1 Planter in White Glaze for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by David Cressey in 1963 as part of the Pro/Artisan stoneware collection for Architectural Pottery, the slip cast Phoenix planter has a bowl shape with an allover geometric ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Sold
H 5.75 in W 6 in D 6 in
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender Petite Rimmed Sunburst Planter
By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert Maxwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This petite stoneware planter, c.1970s, USA, is a result of the collaboration between David Cressey & Robert Maxwell to create the line Earthgender. This hand thrown planter...
Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Rare David Cressey Architectural Pottery Stoneware Walnut Pro Artisan Planter
By David Cressey
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare, fine stoneware compote bowl with walnut base created by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery. Stoneware looks like cork, it is so fine. Bowl has an overall measurement of 6"...
Stoneware
Sold
H 24 in Dm 8 in L 24 in
David Cressey Rare Umbrella Stand or Vase, Artisan, Architectural Pottery, Flame
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great and rare David Cressey umbrella stand pro-artisan for Architectural Pottery. Could be use as large vase or tall planter, is a straig...
Ceramic, Pottery