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 Ceramic Mushroom Stool / Side Table
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
Stan Bitters Ceramic Mushroom Stool or Side Table with Adolf Odorfer Glaze
By Adolf Odorfer, Stan Bitters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mushroom stool or side table form by Stan Bitters, USA. This piece features a round ceramic top with bamboo glazed motif by artist Adolf Odorfer. The top rests on an unglazed stonewa...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$4,372
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
$4,372
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
$4,372
H 19.49 in Dm 15.75 in
Blue and white glazed ceramic stool or coffee table by Mia Jensen, 2025.
By Mia Jensen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Blue and white glazed ceramic stool or coffee table by Mia Jensen. Artist signature under the base. 2025. H : 19.5 x 15.7 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.
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
Wood fired ceramic stool or coffee table 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 : 14.4 x 15.9 inches. - Born in 1981 in Denmark, lives and works in La Borne, Franc...
Ceramic
Wood fired ceramic stool or coffee table 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 : 14.2 x 16.1 inches. - Born in 1981 in Denmark, lives and works in La Borne, Fran...
Ceramic
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
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
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
French Tripod Stool
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
French Oak tripod stool with wonderful patina. One stool available.
Oak
French Rope Stools
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
French rope stools attributed to Audoux Minet with fantastic patina Sold individually
Rope, Oak
Italian Bamboo Stools
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Great Italian bamboo stools in the style of Tito Agnoli Wonderful sculptural shape with square base. Priced individually.
Bamboo, Rattan
