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.
Monumental David Cressey Phoenix-1 for Architectural Pottery Planter
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
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 Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
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 "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
$4,496
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
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
$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
Spanish Blue & White Pottery Bowl
By Spanish Manufactory
Located in Kingsbridge, GB
Antique glazed ceramic bowl/plate decorated in cobalt blue on a cream background, inspired by the Fajalauza Iberian earthenware tradition from Granada. The bowl with a stylized, hand...
Pottery
Spanish Pottery Bowl 19th Century
Located in Kingsbridge, GB
Antique glazed ceramic bowl/plate decorated in cobalt blue on a cream background, inspired by the Fajalauza Iberian earthenware tradition from Granada. The bowl with a stylized, hand...
Pottery
MCM Stoneware Studio Pottery Lidded Jar by Amy Donaldson
Located in San Diego, CA
MCM stoneware studio pottery lidded jar by listed artist, Amy Donaldson, circa 1950s. This gorgeous hand finished jar has a wonderful desi...
Stoneware
$1,082
H 5.12 in Dm 5.91 in
Vintage Glazed Signed European Art Studio Stoneware Pottery Vase or Vessel
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful brown salt glazed studio pottery vase or vessel. The piece is signed by the artist but we have not yet been able to identify them. Most cer...
Stoneware
$5,400
H 1.75 in W 14.5 in D 14.5 in
Beatrice Wood Signed Monumental Midcentury Queen Elizabeth Pottery Charger
By Beatrice Wood
Located in Studio City, CA
An extremely rare and wonderfully hand-painted monumentally large charger featuring a portrait of Queen Elizabeth - a quite unique and bold work by famed American/ California studio ...
Earthenware
$3,537
H 10.04 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Katharina Eichler Signed German Art Studio Stoneware Nerikomi Pottery Vase #3
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 of European Art sculptuu...
Stoneware, Clay, Pottery
$1,759
H 2.36 in Dm 10.63 in
Large Mid-Century Rimini Blu Pottery Bowl by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s
By Aldo Londi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Rimini blue bowl. Very rare in this size with a diameter of 27.5 cm. This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility ...
Ceramic
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 5.75 in W 6 in D 6 in
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender Petite Rimmed Sunburst Planter
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, 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
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
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender “Teardrop Sunburst” Planter
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert Maxwell, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A cylindrical planter from Earthgender, David Cressey and Robert Maxwell’s early 1970s project. This 17.5” diameter example is incised in the “Teardrop Sunburst...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Sold
H 19 in Dm 17.5 in L 19 in
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender “Teardrop Sunburst” Planter
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert Maxwell, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A cylindrical planter from Earthgender, David Cressey and Robert Maxwell’s early 1970s project. This 17.5” diameter example is incised in the “Teardrop Sunburst...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Sold
H 15 in Dm 15 in L 15 in
David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender “Teardrop Sunburst” Planter
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, David Cressey, Robert Maxwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A cylindrical planter from Earthgender, David Cressey and Robert Maxwell’s early 1970s project. This 15” diameter example is incised in the “Teardrop Sunburst...
Ceramic, Stoneware
David Cressey “Flame Glaze” Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A high-impact glazed planter designed by David Cressey and produced for Architectural Pottery’s Pro/Artisan line in the 1960s. With a gracefully curved tulip shape, the “Flame” desig...
Ceramic, Stoneware
David Cressey Pro/Artisan Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A ceramic bowl planter from David Cressey's Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The planter has a glazed interior and unglazed exterior, and has slightly bowed sides an...
Clay, Pottery, Stoneware