Gordon and Jane Martz were prominent designers and creators of simple, elegant, handcrafted ceramic goods. Their vintage mid-century modern designs for table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers and pendants are daring but relaxed and make for versatile additions to any space.
Jane Martz’s grandmother established the family-owned American lampshades company Marshall Studios in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1922. Jessie “Muz” Marshall produced hand-painted lampshades out of her home, then expanded to include lamp bases made of wood. The business later moved to Veedersburg. After studying at New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Gordon and Jane joined the company in the early 1950s and stepped in to run Marshall Studios after it had been managed by Jane’s parents. Gordon and Jane instilled the brand with fresh energy and new ideas. They introduced innovative modernist stoneware lamps, decorative accessories and more that became immediately popular with new homeowners of the era. Later, there was a return to lamp bases made solely of wood, and floor lamps, bookends and tables with tile tops appeared in the company catalogs.
The Marshall Studios M101 lamp was featured in the Museum of Modern Art’s “Good Design” exhibit in 1953, which also featured the work of other mid-century luminaries such as Jens Risom, Paul McCobb, George Nelson and more.
Gordon and Jane explored color and texture at the company during the 1950s and ‘60s and continued the rich legacy of craftsmanship for which Marshall Studios had become known. The manufacturer secured government contracts and their works were featured in Interiors magazine. Etchings and other decoration continued to be done by hand, and Jane eventually also took an interest in the fabric and textiles used to hand-cover the paper shades, producing a complementary line of hand-woven pillows and other goods.
Find vintage Gordon and Jane Martz lighting, tables and ceramics on 1stDibs.
Pottery Coffee Set with Matching Cups by Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant coffee or tea set by Marshall Studios/Martz consisting of a large coffee pot with leather holder and four matching cups. Beautiful dark brown/almost black glaze, handmade....
Ceramic
Tea Pot by Gordon and Jane Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The Gordon and Jane Martz ceramic tea pot is a stunning piece of functional art that seamlessly combines form and function. Handcrafted by the renowned American ceramicists, Gordon a...
Ceramic
Set of Six Bird Coffee Cup Trios
By Flight, Barr & Barr Worcester
Located in New York, NY
Set of six bird coffee cup trios. Strikingly modern looking antique set of six FB&B Worcester trios of six teacups and six coffee can with six saucers ...
Porcelain
Alain Maunier 1960s French Ceramic Coffee Set
By Vallauris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible ceramic coffee set made by French ceramic maker Alain Maunier in Vallauris, 1960's. Set includes 1x large coffee pot with lid, 1x sugar bowl with lid, 1x creamer pot witho...
Ceramic
$892 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 6.5 in
Set of Six Capodimonte Porcelain Tea /Coffee Cups with Floral Motifs, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This set is made in Capodimonte porcelain and features hand painted floral motifs and golden edges. They are vintage therefore they might show slight traces of ...
Porcelain
$195 / item
H 3.94 in W 5.12 in D 6.3 in
21 Century Porcelain Teapot, M.U.M., Natural Finishing, handcrafted, Kanz
By kanz
Located in Venezia, Veneto
Mum is a porcelain teapot with smooth geometric lines, and is natural to the touch. The CAP disappears on the top, and the profile retains its essential design. Porcelain teapot, mat...
Ceramic
1950's French Ceramic Coffee Set from Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible ceramic coffee set made by French ceramic maker Charles Voltz in Vallauris, 1950's. Set includes 1x large coffee pot with lid, 1x sugar bowl with lid, 1x creamer pot with ...
Ceramic
$995 / set
H 3.25 in Dm 5.75 in
William Moorcroft Pomegranate Patterned Art Pottery Teacup & Saucer Set #1 of 4
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery teacup and saucer set was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1925 in their 'Pomegranate' pattern. Each duo is done in the Moorcroft signature ...
Pottery
Staffordshire Pottery Bulldog Stirrup Cup
By Staffordshire
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fierce Elegance: The Staffordshire Bulldog Stirrup Cup, A Gentleman's Companion: Staffordshire Pearlware, Circa 1820 This striking Staffordshire pearlware stirrup cup, dating from a...
Ceramic, Pearlware, Pottery
$1,850 / set
H 2.88 in Dm 4.5 in
Malachite Pottery Espresso Coffee Cup Saucer Set Susan Williams-Ellis English
By Portmeirion Group, Susan Williams-Ellis
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and rare set of eight (8) English pottery Portmeirion green Malachite and gold espresso coffee or demitasse teacup and saucer, circa 20th century, 1960, England, by renow...
Ceramic, Pottery
$88Sale Price / set|41% Off
H 2.25 in Dm 2.5 in
Midcentury Charles and Alice Smith California Pottery Tea Cups, Set of 3
By Chalice of California
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 3 mid century studio teacups from the 1940s-50s by husband and wife ceramicists, Charles and Alice Smith of California. Great abstract...
Pottery
$21,418
H 1.58 in W 20.48 in D 15.36 in
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Tea and Coffee Set with Matching Tray
By PRIA & SARI
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large oval tea and coffee service in 800 solid silver on feet, completely handcrafted and lightly hammered. The oval shape, particularly difficult to make as it is completely shaped ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
1983 Vintage Pottery Art Black Single Coffee Cup Mug Signed Melching
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s black pottery art coffee cup mug vintage condition Artist signed Melching 1983 Measures: 3 tall x 3.63 width x 5 depth Unrestored vintage condi...
Pottery
Martz for Marshall Studios Stoneware Coffee / Tea Set
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Complete tea set from Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios in rare sky blue matte glaze with Incised linear decoration throughout. The original leather wrap and cork top are in...
Leather, Stoneware, Cork