Art and Architecture Collection > Historic Pottery and Porcelain > Reference Resources by Topic:

Americas

American Studio Ceramics 1920-1950. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Museum of Art, 1988 (3-MPH 89-6385)
A representative exhibition catalog that uses a museum’s collection to describe  innovations in pottery-making during three critical decades.  

Barber, Edwin Atlee. The Maiolica of Mexico. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, 1908. (MPH)
A classic study of the majolica trade to Mexico from Europe, and its influence on national ceramic production  

Brancante, Eldino da Fonseca. O Brasil e a Louça da India. Sao Paolo: s.n., 1950. (3-MPFF)
Covers the active period of trade between colonial Latin America and other regions, including Europe, Asia and India. Porcelain wares are chiefly featured.  

Clark, Garth. American Ceramics: 1876 to the Present. New York: Abbeville Press, 1987. (Open MPH+ 88-4383)
A decade-by-decade visual history survey of ceramic-making. Chronicles important changes and significant information is gathered in the back: chronology of events; selected important exhibitions; biographies; and a useful bibliography.

Clark, Garth. American Potters: The Work of Twenty Modern Masters. New York: Watson Guptill, 1981.  (3-MPH 82-612)
Features major figures who discuss their debt to historical examples and practices.  

Derwich, Jenny B. and Mary Latos. Dictionary Guide to United States Pottery and Porcelain: 19th and 20th Century. Franklin, MI: Jenstan Research in United States Pottery and Porcelain, 1984. (MPH 85-8)
Alphabetically arranged biographical sketches and histories of potteries and makers.  

Donhauser, Paul S. History of American Ceramics: The Studio Potter. Dubuque, IA: Kindall/Hunt Pub. Co., 1978. (3-MPH 82-1971)
Focuses on innovations and changes in production from the turn of the twentieth century to the 1970s. Relates contemporary art practices to studio artistry.  

DeBolt, C. Gerald. The Dictionary of American Marks: Whiteware and Porcelain. Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1988. (Open MPH 90-9337)
Proposes to teach readers what genuine early American whiteware is, including maker marks, also British marks and fake marks. Appendices for miscellaneous marks and coat of arms marks.  

Duarte, Carlos F. and Maria L. Fernandez. La Ceramica Durante la Epoca Colonial Venezolana. Caracas: E. Armitano Editor, 1980. (3-MPH 85-855)
A well illustrated survey of Spanish imports and subsequent local production.

Espejel, Carlos. Mexican Folk Ceramics. Barcelona: Editorial Blume, 1975. (MPH 78-928)
A survey of folk wares by region. Useful bibliography.  

Evans, Paul. Art Pottery of the United States: An Encyclopedia of Producers and Their Marks. New York: Scribner, 1974. (MPH 75-622)
A concise reference guide.  

Guilland, Harold F. Early American Folk Pottery. Philadelphia: Chilton Book Co., 1971. (MPH 71-348)
Uses works cataloged in the WPA project, the Index of American Design, to describe colonial era earthenware and stoneware.  

Henzke, Lucile. American Art Pottery. Camden: T. Nelson, 1970. (MPH)
Major potteries and their artists are highlighted by detailed illustrations.  

Karshan, Donald H. The Splendor of American Ceramic Art, 1882-1952. Daytona Beach, FL: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 1991. (3-MPH 92-19831)
Works from this museum’s permanent collection profile 13 major potteries, many from the Ohio Valley.  

Levin, Elaine. The History of American Ceramics, 1607 to the Present: From Pipkins and Bean Pots to Contemporary Forms. New York: H.N. Abrams, 1988. (Open MPH+ 88-4842)
Large, well illustrated survey provides a chronological history of pottery development in the United States. Treats folk, industrial, and art pottery. Detailed investigation of modern art movements’ impact on ceramic development, particularly Art Deco, Abstract Expressionism and Post-Modernism. Excellent bibliography.

Litto, Gertrude. South American Folk Pottery. New York: Watson Guptill, 1976. (3-MPH 76-2482)
Survey by regions within the countries of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. Further reading on this topic and studio pottery from Latin America is better located in the periodical literature and catalogs to individual artists.  

López Cervantes, Gonzalo. Cerámica Mexicana. Mexico City: Editorial Everest Mexicana, 1983. (3-MPH 84-3763)
A broad survey of the different kinds of ceramics to be found in this country. Emphasis on folk and regional wares.