The wavy rim on this pot is inspired by the work of 19th century potter, Bernard Klais. I've paired his distinctive ornamented rim with the ovoid shape, which is one of my favorite forms from 19th century American pottery.
Klais had immigrated to America from Cologne, Germany, arriving in Milwaukee by boat in 1845, where he set up his first earthenware pottery. He found stiff competition in the growing city, not just from other potteries, but also from wares that were imported to Milwaukee via Great Lakes shipping. In 1858, he decided there would be better prospects in an area further from Milwaukee. He set his sights on the boom town of Mineral Point, in southwestern Wisconsin, which was becoming prosperous due to the mining of lead and tin. The area needed tradesmen to help supply household articles for the growing population, and it provided rich resources for a pottery; clay to make pots, and lead for glazes.
Klais is particularly well known among 19th century Wisconsin potters for his flowerpots with ornamented and ruffled rims. Mineral Point is in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, which was never touched by glaciers during the Ice Age., giving it a dramatic landscape of undulating valleys and ridges. The ruffled rims of Bernard Klais flowerpots have always reminded me of the landscape around the Mineral Point area, where he settled, and made pots from 1858 to 1880.
More information on Bernard Klais and the early history of Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Handthrown in Rockdale, Wisconsin
- Fired to 2000 degrees fahrenheit
- Drainage hole allows for direct plainting
- For indoor and outdoor use
- Can be considered "frost-proof" in that it will not delaminate in freezing conditions. However, if the pot fills with water and freezes solid, it will crack.
- For longest life, move to a shed, garage or indoors for the winter in extremely cold climates.
- Saucer included
