Polia Pillin, née Sunockin, was born on September 1, 1909, in Częstochowa. She came to Chicago from Poland in 1924 to work an industrial job that allowed her to support her family overseas. She began to take art classes at the Jewish People's art institute in the evenings and dreamed of supporting herself as an artist. In 1938, she married William Pillin, who had fled persecution in Ukraine with his family and settled in Chicago and they lived in New Mexico. After the birth of their first child, they returned to Chicago, where she had her first show of paintings at the Chicago Art Institute. She became fascinated with clay and in 1946 she took a six-week course in pottery which was her only formal training. She set up a studio in her kitchen, complete with a wheel and electric kiln and soon her innovative works were in high demand. By the 1960s, the Pillins, now collaborating on throwing pots and developing glazes, were selling pottery faster than they could produce it. Polia Pillin's pieces are instantly recognizable. Her technique involves painting on pieces with colored clays while they were still wet and then double-firing using a transparent glaze which produced a high gloss finish. Her pieces, both paintings and pots, feature whimsical figures of people and animals. Her style was informed both by her Eastern European heritage and by her surroundings in New Mexico. She has won numerous awards from Los Angeles County Art Institute in 1949, Syracuse Museum of Fine Art in 1950 and California State Fair in 1951.
Polia Pillin California Studio Pottery Seated Girl with Bird Lidded Trinket Box
By Polia Pillin
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large ceramic lidded trinket box in shades of blue with decoration of a seated woman and bird. Created by Polia Pillin of Los Angeles, California,...
Ceramic
$128Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Round Primitive Ceramic Decorative Trinket Studio Pottery Dish with Lid in Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A round studio pottery trinket dish in brown. This piece will be perfect for a nightstand, coffee table, or bar. It is round and glazed in a deep brown. The lid on the top features a...
Ceramic, Clay
MCM Lidded Green Marble Trinket Box with Brass Accents
Located in San Diego, CA
MCM lidded green marble trinket box with brass accents, circa 1970s. The box has well cut lines and features brass feet and a cool brass lizard hand...
Marble, Brass
Lidded Burl Wood Trinket Box by Kreiss
By Kreiss
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice lidded burl wood trinket box by Kreiss, circa 1980s. The box has a removable lid and is in very good vintage condition; it measures 7"W ...
Burl
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.25 in W 4 in D 4 in
1950's Polia Pillin California Studio Art Pottery Ceramic Vase w/Woman & Horse
By Polia Pillin
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful Polia Pillin California art pottery vase dating from the 1950's. Features two hand painted images of a woman holding a bird and then a horse. Signed on the bottom. In very...
Ceramic, Pottery
Lidded Laquer Trinket Box by Lapisware
Located in San Diego, CA
Lidded lacquer trinket box by Lapisware, circa 1980s. The box measures 8.5"W x 4"D x 2"H and is in very good vintage condition. Cool and well constructed piece! #4988
Plastic, Wood
Vintage Bamboo-Style Metal Trinket Box with Hinged Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish vintage decorative box featuring a sculptural bamboo motif throughout, crafted in metal with a dark silver-tone finish. The exterior is designed to resemble stacked bamboo se...
Metal
Wedgwood Blue Jasperware Lidded Trinket Box with Neo Classical Relief
By Wedgwood
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A refined Wedgwood blue jasperware lidded box, featuring the iconic matte periwinkle-blue ground with crisp applied white classical reliefs, a hallmark of Wedgwood’s neoclassical pro...
Ceramic
Chinese Leather & Brass Lidded Lacquered Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful Chinese leather and brass lidded lacquered trinket box, circa 1970s. The handcrafted box measures 6.25"W x 3.75"D x 4"H and has a great look with tapered brass trim. It...
Brass
Vintage Pottery Trinket Box & Lid, Reptile Skin Glaze
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage American studio pottery box features rounded jar shaped body, mounted on 4 slightly curved feet, with flattened lid with round handle. The body and the lid are decorated with...
Ceramic, Pottery
Exquisite Geometric Inlaid Burl Wood Trinket Box with Parquetry Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite Geometric Inlaid Burl Wood Trinket Box with Parquetry Lid, circa 1980s. A striking example of fine craftsmanship, this elegant trinket box showcases a beautifully executed ...
Elm, Walnut, Burl
$125
H 4 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Studio Pottery Trinket Box with Lid, Bird, Leaves, and Berries Multicolor Glaze
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Studio pottery bowl with lid is decorated with extremely detailed hand formed bird, leaves, and berries. The bird is done in red glaze with brow...
Ceramic
Small Walnut Trinket Box with Agate Inlay Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Small walnut trinket box with agate inlay lid, circa 1990s. The box is in very good vintage condition and measures 3.75”D x 2”H. Made in Brazil. #3907
Agate