Potter-turned-home-design guru Jonathan Adler is a man with a peripatetic mind, inspired in equal parts, it seems, by classic modern design, Surrealism and pop culture.
Although his namesake company has expanded into a mini empire touching just about every aspect of modern living — chairs and ice buckets, wallpaper and menorahs, chandeliers and rugs — made in myriad materials, Adler still creates almost every object in clay first. His guiding principle is a simple one: “I make the stuff I want to surround myself with, and I surround myself with it.”
Adler grew up in a New Jersey farm town. His grandfather became a local judge, and his father returned home after graduating from the University of Chicago. “My pop was a brilliantly talented artist. At one point, he had to decide whether to become an artist or a —,” he pauses, searching for the right word, “person.” His father became a lawyer but spent all his free time in his studio, “making art, unencumbered by the need to make money from it. It was a totally pure pursuit.” Adler’s mother, who had worked at Vogue and moved to the rural town reluctantly, was also creative, and both parents encouraged their three children’s creativity.
When he was 12, Adler went to sleepaway camp, where he threw his first pot. “And it was on,” he says. His parents bought him a pottery wheel, and he spent the remainder of his adolescence elbow-deep in clay. Even while majoring in semiotics and art history at Brown University, he hung out at the nearby Rhode Island School of Design, making pots.
Adler moved to New York City, worked briefly in entertainment, and in 1993 returned to his true love, throwing pots (in exchange for teaching classes) at a Manhattan studio called Mud Sweat & Tears. One day, at Balducci’s food market, he ran into Bill Sofield, an old friend who had recently cofounded, with Thomas O’Brien, the now-legendary Aero Studios, a design firm and shop. Sofield paid a studio visit and promptly gave him an order. Then, another friend introduced Adler to a buyer at Barneys New York, who also wrote an order.
For about three years after Adler began devoting himself to ceramics full-time. Despite the street cred of both Aero and Barneys, he also wasn’t really making enough money to live on. Then, in 1997, he teamed with Aid to Artisans, a nonprofit aimed at creating economic opportunity for skilled artisans in developing countries, and traveled to Peru to hire potters who could follow his designs, thus increasing production.
Adler’s first store opened in 1998, in the Soho shopping mecca in Manhattan. He now operates about two dozen shops, as far-flung as London and Bangkok. During Adler’s trip to Peru, he connected not only with potters but also with several talented weavers and decided to branch out into textiles. Other categories followed, leading him to travel the world in search of artisans who could execute his endless supply of ideas. In India, Adler found a man who’s expert at beadwork; he has his limed furniture made in Indonesia, his honey-colored wood pieces in Vietnam.
After a friend asked him to decorate her house, Adler expanded to interior design, taking on hotels as well as private residences — projects for which he remains “agnostic,” using pieces by other designers. “I really try to get to know my clients and then make them seem more glamorous and more eccentric than they think,” he says. “I see myself as a slimming mirror for them.”
Find Jonathan Adler seating, case pieces, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Jonathan Adler Massive 'Grand Tour' XL Goddess Bust Acrylic Sculpture
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Jonathan Adler Massive 'Grand Tour' XL Goddess Bust Acrylic Sculpture, circa 2000s. A monumentally scaled, show-stopping statement piece by iconic American designer Jonathan Adler, ...
Acrylic
Brass Owl Trinket Jewelry Dish by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brass Owl Trinket Jewelry Dish by Jonathan Adler circa 2014, no longer in production " in good vintage as found condition, heavy !" " The Jonathan Adler Brass...
Brass
Jonathan Adler Large White Muse Vase
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Jonathan Adler large-scale all white "Muse" series vase in wonderful original condition.
Ceramic
Jonathan Adler “Dora Maar Muse” Porcelain Planters — Set of Three
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking set of three “Dora Maar Muse” planters by the celebrated American designer Jonathan Adler. Part of Adler’s iconic Muse collection, these sculptural vessels are inspired by...
Porcelain
Jonathan Adler Pop-Art Style 'Grand Tour' Urn Acrylic Sculpture
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Jonathan Adler Pop-Art Style 'Grand Tour' Urn Acrylic Sculpture, circa 2000s. A vibrant, maximalist statement piece by celebrated American designer Jonathan Adler, this "Grand Tour"...
Acrylic
Pair of Jonathan Adler for PartyLite Ceramic Elephant Candleholders, circa 2000s
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical pair of ceramic elephant candleholders designed by Jonathan Adler for PartyLite, circa early 2000s. #5587 Each sculptural elephant is finished in a soft pale gray-white g...
Ceramic
Postmodern Memphis Style Glazed Ceramic Vase by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic 2 tone vase in postmodern design , by Jonathan Adler no chips or cracks.
Ceramic
Vintage Ceramic Elephant Sculpture by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical vintage ceramic elephant sculpture with trunk up by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s. The piece is in very good condition and measure 4.75"W 4.75"D x 8"H. Cool piece! #4503
Ceramic
$380Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Gold Ceramic Bird Bowls from"Menagerie Collection" by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A lovely pair of bright gold ceramic bird bowls from the "Menagerie Collection" by Jonathan Adler, circa 1980s . The set is in very good condition with no chips or cracks; the large...
Porcelain
$160Sale Price / set|20% Off
Playing Cards Set in Box by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool bright orange plastic case with pin stipes and two decks of playing cards by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s. #1336.
Paper, Plastic
Jonathan Adler Hand-Thrown Ceramic Vase, Modern Design, USA, 1988
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jonathan Adler Hand-Thrown and painted 14" tall vase. Nice condition with one very small rim chip as seen in photo.
Ceramic
Large Porcelain "Balloon" Vase by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A lovely unglazed white mat porcelain "Balloon" vase by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s. The large sized vase is in like new condition with original box and measures 5.75"D x 10.5"H. G...
Porcelain
White Ceramic Picture Frame with Greek Keys by Jonathan Adler - New in Box
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful white ceramic picture frame with Greek key design by Jonathan Adler, new in original box, circa 2000s. The frame holds a 4" x 6" photograph and measures 7.5"W x .75"D x ...
Ceramic
White Ceramic Picture Frame by Jonathan Adler - New in Box
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful white ceramic picture frame by Jonathan Adler, new in original box, circa 2000s. The frame holds a 5x7 photograph and measures 7"W x .75"D x 9.5". Very high quality and...
Ceramic
$415 / item
Dora Maar Urn
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Porcelain Reverie. Our Dora Maar Urn gives good face from every angle, an unglazed finish highlighting the muse's flawless features in fabulously delicate detail. Inspired by Dora Ma...
Porcelain
$400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of "Salvador" Vases" by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A lovely pair of unglazed white mat porcelain "Salvador" vases by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s . Inspired by the surrealist painter and printmaker, Salvador Dali—a master of subconsci...
Porcelain
Jonathan Adler Couture Ceramic Vase
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Westport, CT
Jonathan Adler Couture ceramic vase handmade for a friend. One of four pieces form the early 1980s rare.
Ceramic
$330Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Porcelain & Marble Horn Sculpture by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
Jonathan Adler White Porcelain & Marble Horn Sculpture — Handmade Modern Decorative Object A striking handmade porcelain and marble horn sculpture by celebrated American designer Jo...
Marble
White Vase Faces Sculpture, Surrealism Style
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
A relatively large white ceramic face or 'faces' vase, in the Surrealist/Surrealism style, circa early-21st century. This sculpture vase is a great ...
Ceramic
Medium Porcelain "Balloon" Vase by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A lovely unglazed white mat porcelain "Balloon" vase by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s. The medium sized vase is in like new condition with original box and measures 5.75"D x 8.25"H. ...
Porcelain
Set of 3 Bronze & Gold Biomorphic Decorative Bowl Sculptures by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Troy, MI
A grouping of 3 bronze biomorphic decorative bowls by Jonathan Adler Retired design model 13020 circa 2012 Graduated size and varied organic forms in bronze with gold interior Impre...
Bronze
White Ceramic Picture Frame by Jonathan Adler - New in Box
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful white ceramic picture frame by Jonathan Adler, new in original box, circa 2000s. The frame holds a 5" x 7" photograph and measures 9.25"W x .75"D x 11.25". Very high qu...
Ceramic
Jonathan Adler Modern Silver Lip Vase Romeo and Juliet Thy Lips Are Warm Scene
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Miami, FL
American Deco Jonathan Adler Modern Silver Lip Vase Thy Lips Are Warm Romeo & Juliet Act V - Scene III, TMS 2006. Marked underneath. In good vintage condition with patina to the Alu...
Aluminum
Elephant Group Black Candleholder
Located in Paris, FR
Candleholder Elephant Group Black with porcelain made in hand-painted black finish and with brass details. With three candleholder for three candles. Candles not included.
Brass
Pair of Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Urns on Marble Bases
Located in Hudson, NY
A pair of gilt bronze Grand Tour urns mounted on marble bases.
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique English Blue Willow Transferware Trinket Dish by Alfred Meakin
By Alfred Meakin
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A charming antique English transferware trinket dish by the celebrated Staffordshire pottery house Alfred Meakin, featuring the iconic Blu...
Ceramic
$380Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7 in W 10 in D 6.25 in
Pair of Gold Ceramic Bird Bowls from"Menagerie Collection" by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A lovely pair of bright gold ceramic bird bowls from the "Menagerie Collection" by Jonathan Adler, circa 1980s . The set is in very good condition with no chips or cracks; the large...
Porcelain
Italian Marble Bowl Trinket Jewelry Dish
Located in New York, NY
A small beautiful Italian marble bowl with patchwork design, circa late-20th century, Italy. This small hand-made bowl, a patchwork of various marble...
Marble
Jonathan Adler Hand-Thrown Ceramic Vase, Modern Design, USA, 1988
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jonathan Adler Hand-Thrown and painted 14" tall vase. Nice condition with one very small rim chip as seen in photo.
Ceramic
Italian Grand Tour Carved Marble Bust Of Woman
Located in Bradenton, FL
Classical 19th century hand-carved Italian Neoclassic Grand Tour marble female bust. Bust features intricately carved young woman's head and neck, wearing delicate drapery across déc...
Marble
Jonathan Adler Couture Ceramic Vase
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Westport, CT
Jonathan Adler Couture ceramic vase handmade for a friend. One of four pieces form the early 1980s rare.
Ceramic
Art Deco Bakelite Set of Photograph Frames, Set of Three
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Very nice group of three bakelite picture frames. Art Deco style. The rectangulars measure 13.2 cm by 9.8 cm and the round one 13.2 cm diameter. Very good conditions. We have specia...
Bakelite
$280Sale Price|37% Off
H 16.25 in W 10 in D 6.25 in
Vintage Neoclassical Grand Tour Bust of Apollo Belvedere
Located in Elkhart, IN
A handsome late 20th century interpretation of the Apollo Belvedere, modeled with the idealized profile, curling hair, draped shoulders, and poised expression associated with the cel...
Composition
Grand Tour Male Nude Bronze Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th Century bronze male nude sculpture on wood pedestal base.
Bronze
$8,069Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 20.87 in D 9.06 in
Marble Sculpture Bust Of Emperor Julius Caesar After The Antique Grand Tour
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture realized by a Roman sculptor as from the Roman academy tradition, is carved with white marble. The sculpture represents the face of a young Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar formally known as Caesar was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic...
Marble
Jonathan Adler Neoclassical 'Grand Tour' Soldier Acrylic Bust Sculpture
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Jonathan Adler Neoclassical 'Grand Tour' Soldier Acrylic Bust Sculpture, circa early 2000s. A striking contemporary statement piece by renowned American designer Jonathan Adler, this...
Acrylic
Jonathan Adler Acrylic Pop Art Pill Sculpture, 150 MG Yellow
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Get your daily prescription of surrealism with Jonathan Adlers’ lustrous homages to fab pharmaceuticals. Crafted from solid acrylic in poppy colors with laser-etched dosages. Use as ...
Acrylic
Jonathan Adler Acrylic Pop Art Pill Sculpture, 150 MG Red
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Get your daily prescription of surrealism with Jonathan Adlers’ lustrous homages to fab pharmaceuticals. Crafted from solid acrylic in poppy colors with laser-etched dosages. Use as ...
Acrylic
Pair of White Ceramic Picture Frames by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of white ceramic picture frames by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s. The larger frame holds a 5x7 photograph and measures 9.5"W x .75"D x 11.75"H; the smaller one holds a 4x6 phot...
Ceramic
Jonathan Adler Acrylic Pop Art Pill Sculpture, 300 MG Blue
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Get your daily prescription of surrealism with Jonathan Adlers’ lustrous homages to fab pharmaceuticals. Crafted from solid acrylic in poppy colors with laser-etched dosages. Use a...
Acrylic
Jonathan Adler Acrylic Pop Art Pill Sculpture, 150 MG Red
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Get your daily prescription of surrealism with Jonathan Adlers’ lustrous homages to fab pharmaceuticals. Crafted from solid acrylic in poppy colors with laser-etched dosages. Use as ...
Acrylic
Jonathan Adler Acrylic Pop Art Pill Sculpture, 150 MG Yellow
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Get your daily prescription of surrealism with Jonathan Adlers’ lustrous homages to fab pharmaceuticals. Crafted from solid acrylic in poppy colors with laser-etched dosages. Use as ...
Acrylic
Tequila Rocket Decanter
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Napa, CA
White porcelain with black gold and silver decal and 16-karat gold detailing.
Brass
Versailles Porcelain Maze Vase
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Pattern Play. Featuring signature patterns dynamically deconstructed for a 21st century twist, our classic-meets-cutting edge collection treats graphic greatness to gobs of gold. Our Versailles Maze Vase...
Gold
Giant Rabbit Sculpture in Red Lucite
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Surreal size. A mesmerizing must-have in solid red acrylic, our giant rabbit looks fab anchoring a tablescape or makes a great focal point in an unused fireplace. Our oversized ac...
Acrylic
Sorrento Lacquer Box Set
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Luxe lacquer. Featuring hand-finished patterns in glossy lacquer, our Sorrento lacquer boxes bring brilliant blue hues and trippy dimensionality to your shelf, mantel, or tablescape....
Velvet, Lacquer
Anvil Bowl, Large
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Napa, CA
Solid polished brass with enameled interior Over time the polished brass will develop a rich natural patina—if desired, use a microfiber cloth to buff out fingerprints.
Brass