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Polia Pillin Vases and Vessels

American, 1909-1992

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.

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Creator: Polia Pillin
1960’s Porcelain Vase by Polia Pillin
1960’s Porcelain Vase by Polia Pillin

1960’s Porcelain Vase by Polia Pillin

By Polia Pillin

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Polia Pillin glazed porcelain vase circa early 1960’s. Features hand painted figural and nature motifs. Signed.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Polia Pillin Vases and Vessels

Materials

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1950's Polia Pillin California Studio Art Pottery Ceramic Vase w/Woman & Horse
1950's Polia Pillin California Studio Art Pottery Ceramic Vase w/Woman & Horse

1950's Polia Pillin California Studio Art Pottery Ceramic Vase w/Woman & Horse

By Polia Pillin

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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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Polia Pillin Vases and Vessels

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Polia Pillin Bulbous Vase in a Vibrant Red
Polia Pillin Bulbous Vase in a Vibrant Red

Polia Pillin Bulbous Vase in a Vibrant Red

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Bulbous vase by Polia Pillin of Southern California in a vibrant red glaze an unusual piece as its absent of her ornate imagery, she worked with her husband William out of their home...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Polia Pillin Vases and Vessels

Materials

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Polia Pillin vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.

Polia Pillin vases and vessels are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of pottery and are designed with extraordinary care. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider vases and vessels by David Leach, Steuben Glass, and Søholm Stentøj. Prices for Polia Pillin vases and vessels can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $850 and can go as high as $850, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $850.