An icon of modernist ceramics since the 1960s, Stan Bitters constructed rough assemblages of clay slabs and spoked wheels into massive murals and tall totems, upsizing his medium to an architectural scale.
Like Toshiko Takaezu, Peter Voulkos, Paul Soldner and others, Bitters was part of a small group of American artists during the mid-20th-century who embraced imperfection in their pottery.
Working in ceramics, a material that during the last 100 years was relegated to the supposedly lesser artistic realm of craft, Bitters and these other artists made bold, chunky pieces that served as a counterpoint to the smooth lines and overall slickness of modern and postmodern movements like Bauhaus, constructivism, minimalism, Op art and Pop art.
Hailing from Fresno, California, the self-proclaimed “old hippie” Bitters earned his bachelor’s degree in painting from UCLA. He also studied at what became Otis College in Los Angeles under Voulkos — the bad boy of American ceramics.
Voulkos almost single-handedly spawned what came to be known as the California Clay Movement and flouted pottery’s approved techniques. He transformed clay into a vibrant, highly expressive artistic medium, and Bitters’ funky, fractured style certainly shows it.
Bitters later became associated with organic modernism and created ceramics for Hans Sumpf, a maker of adobe bricks and furniture in Madera.
“Known for his Abstract Expressionist style, Bitters is a steadfast champion of environmental ceramics — the melding of natural, organic clay forms, sculptures and architectural elements into urban spaces to complement, transform and elevate their surroundings,” says Greg Nielson, of Dwell Floor Five, in Studio City, California.
With their sputtery glazes and graffiti-esque glyphs, Bitters’s works exude raw, countercultural energy.
Find Stan Bitters decorative objects, garden ornaments, planters and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Stan Bitters Mushroom Stool, Glazed Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, USA
By Stan Bitters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mushroom stool or side table by Stan Bitters, USA. This piece features a round glazed ceramic top with floral motif and an unglazed stoneware base. Perfect as a petite side table, fo...
Ceramic
$4,337
H 13.39 in Dm 15.16 in
White and yellow glazed ceramic coffee table or stool by Mia Jensen, 2024.
By Mia Jensen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
White and yellow glazed ceramic stool or coffee table by Mia Jensen. Artist signature at the base. 2024. H : 13.4' x 15'. - Born in 1981 in Denmark, lives and works in La Borne...
Ceramic
$4,337
H 18.12 in Dm 16.15 in
White and yellow glazed ceramic coffee table or stool by Mia Jensen, 2025.
By Mia Jensen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
White and yellow glazed ceramic stool or coffee table by Mia Jensen. Artist signature under the base. 2025. H : 18.1 x 16.1 inches. - Born in 1981 in Denmark, lives and works in La...
Ceramic
Glazed ceramic table or stool by Marie-Lucie Trinquand, 2025.
By Marie-Lucie Trinquant
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Glazed ceramic table or stool by Marie-Lucie Trinquand, 2025. Artist signature under the base. 2025. Unique piece. H : 23.4 x 12.2 x 11.4 inches. - Born in 1960 in France, she live...
Ceramic
Wood fired ceramic coffee table or stool by Mia Jensen, 2025.
By Mia Jensen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Wood fired ceramic stool or coffee table by Mia Jensen. Artist signature under the base. 2025. H : 13.8 x 17.7 x 17.9 inches. - Born in 1981 in Denmark, lives and works in La Borne...
Ceramic
Wood fired ceramic coffee table or stool by Mia Jensen, 2025.
By Mia Jensen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Wood fired ceramic stool or coffee table by Mia Jensen. Artist signature under the base. 2025. H : 13.8 x 17.5 x 17.9 inches. - Born in 1981 in Denmark, lives and works in La Borne...
Ceramic
$3,494
H 16.93 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Brown glazed ceramic tripod table or stool by Marie-Lucie Trinquand, 2025.
By Marie-Lucie Trinquant
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Brown glazed ceramic tripod table or stool by Marie-Lucie Trinquand, 2025. Artist signature under the base. 2025. Unique piece. H : 15.7 x 11.8 x 11.8 inches. - Born in 1960 in Fr...
Ceramic
Contemporary Bar Table and Bar Stool
Located in Sheffield, MA
The contemporary Mid-Century Modern bar table is made of a welded stainless steel frame with a beveled glass top. The matching bar stool consists of a welded stainless steel frame to...
Stainless Steel
Black and blue glazed ceramic table by Mia Jensen, 2025.
By Mia Jensen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Blue and black glazed ceramic table by Mia Jensen. Artist signature under the base. 2025. H : 16.9 x 20.3 inches. - Born in 1981 in Denmark, lives and works in La Borne, France. ...
Ceramic
Hand Sculpted stool or table by Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
This hand-sculpted stool by Jacques Jarrige, part of his ongoing Meanders series, transforms a simple utilitarian object into a finely tuned sculptural form. Carved from solid oak an...
Oak
Pair of Pine Stools by Giuseppe Rivadossi
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pair of solid wood stools by Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy, 1970s Incredible craftsmanship of slatted pine wood base with unique gently curved seat impressions on top Beautiful origina...
Pine
French Tripod Stools
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
French pine stools in the style of Pierre Chapo / or Charlotte Perriand Thick round wood tops on tripod legs Wonderful patina and scale.
Pine
Italian Industrial Stool
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1950s Italian Industrial stool with heavy black enameled base and newly upholstered leather seats. Priced separately.
Iron
Italian Tripod Stool
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Solid wood carved tripod stools with tripod legs and wonderful worn patina. Italy, 1950s Priced individually.
Wood
Pierre Jeanneret Stool
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Original Pierre Jeanneret stool from Chandigarh France/India, c. 1960 Original teak wood seat with fantastic patina'd red enamel steel legs stool: ...
Steel
French Carved Stools
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Brutalist carved solid wood carved tripod stools France, circa 1940s Carved concave seats sit on tripod legs Priced individually.
Oak
