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 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
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in Dm 17.5 in
David Cressey Cheerio Planter, Architectural Pottery, 1960s
By David Cressey
Located in South Jordan, UT
Impressive 1960s David Cressey stoneware planter designed for Architectural Pottery from the Pro-Artisan series. The planter is unglazed and has the famous "Cheerio" pattern circling...
Stoneware
$2,100
H 12 in Dm 13 in
David Cressey For Architectural Pottery Pro/Artisan Leaf Pattern Pot Rust Glaze
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage piece of pottery by designer David Cressey for Los Angeles based mid-century manufacturer Architectural Pottery (owned by Max and Rita Lawrence). The pot measures 1...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$1,150
H 13.1 in Dm 17 in
1960s Architectural Pottery White Ceramic Planter Attributed to Lagardo Tackett
By Lagardo Tackett, Architectural Pottery
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Architectural Pottery White Ceramic Planter Attributed to Lagardo Tackett Executed in matte white glazed ceramic. A very clean and increa...
Ceramic
Raul Coronel Ceramic Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Raul Coronel, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raul Coronel Ceramic Planter for Architectural Pottery
Ceramic
Architectural Planter Pot Vessel by David Cressey
By David Cressey
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large David Cressey glazed pot or vessel is a stunning work of art that combines form, texture, and color in a captivating way. Known for his ceramic creations, David Cressey has a distinct style that is both modern and organic. This particular pot or vessel showcases Cressey's mastery of glazing techniques. Its generous size commands attention and makes it a focal point in any setting. The pot's shape is often asymmetrical, with smooth curves and undulating lines that mimic the organic shapes found in nature. Its large size allows for ample space to showcase the intricate glaze patterns. The glaze itself is a masterpiece, with a rich and layered appearance. Cressey's glazes often feature earthy tones like deep browns, rustic oranges, and mossy greens, evoking a connection to the natural world. The glaze may have variations in color, creating depth and visual interest. The surface texture might be subtly textured or exhibit a more pronounced texture, further enhancing the tactile and visual experience. When displayed, this David Cressey glazed pot or vessel becomes a statement piece that adds a touch of sophistication and artistic elegance to any space. Its combination of sculptural form and expertly applied glaze demonstrates the artist's skill and creativity, making it a unique and captivating addition to any art collection or interior design. Photographed with Knoll wire side...
Ceramic
$2,390 / set
H 9.8 in Dm 16 in
Pair of 1960s Ceramic White Glazed Planters Attributed to Architectural Pottery
By John Follis, Architectural Pottery
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of 1960s Ceramic White Glazed Planters Attributed to Architectural Pottery. Executed in matte white glazed ceramic. Two very clean and increasingly rare examples highly reminis...
Ceramic
Californian Modern "Flame Glaze" Planter by David Cressey & Robert Maxwell
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite flame-glazed ceramic planter by David Cressey and Robert Maxwell is a true testament to California modernism. Its rich, molten hues of deep amber, fiery orange, and ea...
Stoneware
$40,000
H 30 in W 40 in D 34.5 in
Massive Model 5015 "Rectangle" Pro/Artisan Planter by David Cressey for AP
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive Model 5015 "Rectangle" Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery Pro/Artisan Collection, c. 1960's, USA Unglazed Reduction-Fired Stoneware H 30" x W 40" x D 34.5" ...
Stoneware
Large Double Cone Planter by LaGardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery
By Lagardo Tackett, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large double cone planter by LaGardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery.
Ceramic
David Cressey Cylindrical Stoneware Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey cylindrical stoneware planter for Architectural Pottery. Architectural Pottery was a Los Angeles company founded in 1950 by Max and Rita Lawrence. Prominent architects such as Pierre...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Fesco Architectural Pottery Style Modernist Plastic Planter Pot
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Ferndale, MI
Fesco synthetic planter pot. Styled after David Cressey Architectural pottery pieces.
Synthetic
Large Stoneware 'Expressive' Planter David Cressey
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great California design. From the estate / collections of the late Peter Loughrey, the founder of Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA). Made with Cressey's own reduction fired stonewa...
Ceramic, 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
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
Early David Cressey California Modern Stoneware Pitcher
By David Cressey
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Stoneware pitcher with large looped handle created by David Cressey. Pitcher measures 9" in height by 8" diameter. Signed Cressey '57 on bottom. In very good vintage condition.
Stoneware
David Cressey Pro/Artisan Ceramic Planter
By David Cressey
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage 1960s ceramic bowl / planter from David Cressey's Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The unglazed planter has vaguely bowed ...
Ceramic
Vintage David Cressey For Architectural Pottery Phoenix Planter
By David Cressey
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1960s vintage stoneware Phoenix planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery. Planter measures 19.25" by 23.5" and is in good vintage condition w...
Stoneware
David Cressey Chalice Planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1965
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
David Cressey "Leaf" pattern Chalice planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1965.
Ceramic
Sold
H 15.25 in Dm 16.75 in
David Cressey "Leaf " Pattern Planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1965
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
"Leaf Pattern" planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery, circa 1965.
Ceramic
David Cressey Planter
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare David Cressey planter in a speckled oyster gray glaze. Original glaze pattern.
Ceramic
David Cressey "Flame Glaze" Planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1965
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
David Cressey "Flame Glaze" Planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1965.
Ceramic
David Cressey "Flame Glaze" Planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1965
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
David Cressey "Flame Glaze" planter for architectural pottery.
Ceramic
Sold
H 6 in W 10.25 in D 10.25 in
"Scratch" Pattern Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
"Scratch" pattern planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery.
Ceramic
Rare David Cressey Brutalist Stoneware 'ARCS' Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare and unusual 1960s David Cressey designed glazed ceramic vessel from the Pro-Artisan Series for Architectural Pottery. This example has the 'Terra Umbra' glaze and the 'Arcs' tex...
Stoneware