The artist and potter William “Harry” Bird designed for Vernon Kilns and Bauer in the mid- to late-1930s. Little is known about Bird – there are rumors that he rented space in Vernon’s plant; there is no indication that he was an employee of the company and may have produced his work under contract or self-distributed. All of Harry Bird’s designs were produced on Vernon’s “Montecito” shape (Early California and others). Bird may have been the first to leverage the in-glazing technique of decorating, also used by Pacific Pottery on their decorated ware starting around 1935.
Bird produced dozens of different patterns and designs, all of which are highly valued by collectors today. Here are a few of the most prominent design series.
