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David Cressey Vases and Vessels

American, 1916-2010

David Cressey, a multi-disciplinary artist who had a six-decade career, created pottery and ceramics that revolutionized indoor/outdoor planters with their architectural style. Implementing artistic functionality into his pieces, Cressey designed in modern and mid-century modern styles. He created many planters, vases and table lamps, which remain highly desirable to collectors.

Cressey was the first artist in residence at Architectural Pottery in Los Angeles in 1961, helping to transform its urban and residential work. This was highly influential in the architecture and design worlds as the company mass-produced and sold sculptural, functional pieces.

Cressey also opened a design studio in Venice Beach, California, collaborating with Group Artec and Earthgender Ceramics. When Architectural Pottery closed in the mid-1980s due to a fire, Cressey continued to produce art, this time in the medium of mixed media on wood.

Cressey artwork evokes a similar physical and sensory experience as his vessels, lanterns and folk art ceramics. Evocatively Californian, his paintings evolved from his clay-based practice with a masterful use of color, saturation and texture. His fine art training included studying at the University of Southern California under Vivika Heino and at the University of California, Los Angeles, with Laura Andreson

In 2006, he received the California Design Award. Museums that have exhibited his work include the Pasadena Art Museum in 1967, the Everson Museum of Art in 1961, the Oakland Museum of California in 1961 and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2011.

On 1stDibs, find a rare collection of David Cressey building and garden elements, decorative objects, lighting and more.

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Creator: David Cressey
David Cressey Pro Artisan "Leaf" Pattern Extra Large Bullet Planter in Ochre Gla
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey "Leaf" planter for Architectural Pottery. Pro Artisan line, circa 1970's. Extra large size and weighs over 100 lbs. The glaze pattern is "ochre", gold in tone with e...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

David Cressey & Robert Maxwell Stoneware “Sunburst” Bowl Planter for Earthgender
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert Maxwell, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unglazed stoneware bowl planter from David Cressey and Robert Maxwell's 1970's collaboration, Earthgender. The planter has a rounded lip with a dark speckle glazed interior, an in...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey Earthgender "Solar" Architectural Fiberglass Prototype Planter
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in San Diego, CA
Really unique David Cressey & John Follis prototype planter. In the Earthgender "Solar" pattern. Made of fiberglass and resin. Possibly a one off mold or? We have never seen something like this. Really a rare and unique planter.
Category

1960s Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Fiberglass

David Cressey Ribbed Plum Glazed Pro/Artisan Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bullet planter by David Cressey from the Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. This planter has a soft speckled glaze in plum on both the interior and exterior. The exter...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Clay, Stoneware

David Cressey Glazed Pro/Artisan Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey Pro/Artisan collection Planter for Architectural Pottery. This stoneware planter has a sienna yellow glazed interior and exterior. The top of the planter has slightly b...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Clay, Stoneware

David Cressey Pro Artisan "Linear" Large Footed Planter, Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey pro artisan "Linear" pattern extra large footed planter for Architectural Pottery in stoneware, circa 1970's. In excellent conditi...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware, Ceramic

Rare Robert Maxwell & David Cressey Planter for Earthgender
By Architectural Pottery, Robert Maxwell, David Cressey
Located in Glendale, CA
Rare Robert Maxwell & David Cressey Small Planter or Vase for Earthgender. Studio executed in hand thrown and designed textured earthenware. A very clean example from the short-lived...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

David Cressey Pro Artisan "Linear" Large Cylinder Planter, Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey pro artisan "Linear" pattern extra large cylinder planter for Architectural Pottery in stoneware, circa 1970's. We have 2 of these available for purchase, price shown...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey Pro Artisan "Linear" Cylinder Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey pro artisan "Linear" pattern cylinder planter for Architectural Pottery in stoneware, circa 1970's. We have 4 of these available for purchase, price shown is per pla...
Category

1970s American Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

David Cressey Pro Artisan "Linear" Footed Planter w/Dish, Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey pro artisan "Linear" pattern footed planter with dish for Architectural Pottery in stoneware, circa 1970's. We have 2 of these avail...
Category

1970s American Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

David Cressey Pro/Artisan "Scratch" Bullet Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bullet planter by David Cressey from the Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. This stoneware planter has an unglazed interior as well as an unglazed natural warm brown c...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender “Sunburst” Planter
By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert Maxwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand thrown stoneware planter from Earthgender, David Cressey and Robert Maxwell’s early 1970s project. This 13.5” diameter example is incised in the “Sunburst” design a pattern of l...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender “Sunburst” Planter
By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert Maxwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand thrown stoneware planter from Earthgender, David Cressey and Robert Maxwell’s early 1970s project. This 13” diameter example is incised in the “Sunburst” design a pattern of lin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey Pro/Artisan Sand Urn for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery's Pro/Artisan collection. This planter has a soft olive green speckle glazed exterior and interior. The top of the planter has slig...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey Pro/Artisan Mocha Glazed Bowl Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic planter from David Cressey's Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The 4066 pedestal bowl planter has a wide belly that tapers at the base with a mocha glazed ext...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

David Cressey and Robert Maxwell Large Ombre Glazed Planter for Earthgender
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large ceramic bowl planter from David Cressey and Robert Maxwell for Earthgender. The planter has an ombre glazed interior and exterior ranging in colors of purple, pink and blue w...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

David Cressey "Scratch" Stoneware Pro/Artisan Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planter by David Cressey from the Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. This stoneware planter has an unglazed interior as well as an unglazed natural warm brown clay ext...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Clay, Stoneware

Large David Cressey "Rectangle" Glazed Pro/Artisan Planter Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey Pro/Artisan collection Planter for Architectural Pottery. This stoneware planter has a soft speckled unglazed interior and a brown glazed exterior with the iconic "rect...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey Pro / Artisan Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic bowl planter from David Cressey's Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The planter has a gray speckled glazed interior and exterior, with slightly bowed sides an...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

David Cressey Pro Artisan "Scratch" Planter for Architectural Pottery 1960's
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey's "scratch" planter for Architectural Pottery. Pro Artisan line, circa 1970's. The glaze is mint green in tone with espresso flecks. It has normal light wear and is...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

David Cressey & Robert Maxwell for Earthgender “Teardrop Sunburst” Bowl Planter
By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unglazed stoneware bowl planter from David Cressey and Robert Maxwell's 1970s collaboration, Earthgender. The planter has a rounded lip, an incised all-over pattern in the "Teardr...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey and Robert Maxwell Sunburst Bowl Planter for Earthgender
By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand thrown stoneware planter from Earthgender, David Cressey and Robert Maxwell’s early 1970s project. This 16” diameter example is incised in the “Sunburst” design a pattern of lin...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey "Linear" Stoneware Pro/Artisan Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cigar planter by David Cressey from the Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. This stoneware planter has an unglazed interior as well as an unglazed natural warm brown cl...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Pedestal Floor Vase by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Toledo, OH
Pedestal floor vase by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery. Circa 1960-1969. Large floor vase leaf pattern with brown glaze and mounted on a circular pedestal by David Cressey (1...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Clay, Stoneware

California Modern Architectural Pottery Pro Artisan Planter by David Cressey
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern ceramic planter pot designed by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery Pro/Artisan. This hand poured stoneware vessel featu...
Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

David Cressey Large Pro/Artisan 'Sgraffito' Stoneware Planter
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great California design. Made with Cressey's own reduction fired stoneware "formula clay" with ocher glaze. Hand carved 'Sgraffito' pattern / design. No two are alike. One-of-a-kind....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

David Cressey Architectural Pottery Tall Planter or Umbrella Stand
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California design Nice fluted form Bisque clay with elegant royal blue gloss glaze Only a few of these were made / ordered for office buildings and or residential From Group Artec - ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Architectural Planter Pot Vessel by David Cressey
By David Cressey
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large David Cressey glazed pot or vessel is a stunning work of art that combines form, texture, and color in a captivating way. Known for his ceramic creations, David Cressey has a distinct style that is both modern and organic. This particular pot or vessel showcases Cressey's mastery of glazing techniques. Its generous size commands attention and makes it a focal point in any setting. The pot's shape is often asymmetrical, with smooth curves and undulating lines that mimic the organic shapes found in nature. Its large size allows for ample space to showcase the intricate glaze patterns. The glaze itself is a masterpiece, with a rich and layered appearance. Cressey's glazes often feature earthy tones like deep browns, rustic oranges, and mossy greens, evoking a connection to the natural world. The glaze may have variations in color, creating depth and visual interest. The surface texture might be subtly textured or exhibit a more pronounced texture, further enhancing the tactile and visual experience. When displayed, this David Cressey glazed pot or vessel becomes a statement piece that adds a touch of sophistication and artistic elegance to any space. Its combination of sculptural form and expertly applied glaze demonstrates the artist's skill and creativity, making it a unique and captivating addition to any art collection or interior design. Photographed with Knoll wire side...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Phoenix-1 Planter in Purple Glaze by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by David Cressey in 1963 as part of the Pro/Artisan stoneware collection for Architectural Pottery, the slipcast Phoenix planter has a bowl shape with an allover geometric r...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey and Robert Maxwell Cement Glazed Thumbprint Planter
By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert Maxwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand thrown planter, c.1970s, USA, is a result of the collaboration between David Cressey & Robert Maxwell to create the line Earthgender. One of the less common designs from this pa...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey & Robert Maxwell “Sunburst” Stoneware Planter for Earthgender
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert Maxwell, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stoneware planter from Earthgender, David Cressey and Robert Maxwell’s early 1970s project. This 15” diameter example is incised in the “Sunburst” design, a pattern of lines radiatin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

David Cressey Pro Artisan Glazed "Scratch" Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
David Cressey's "scratch" pattern on a LaGardo Tackett cylindrical form. For Architectural Pottery's Pro Artisan line, circa 1970's. The glaze is a...
Category

1970s American Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Large David Cressey "Expressive" Glazed Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in San Diego, CA
Planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Expressive” texture. This ochre glazed planter has a rounded bottom that wi...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Clay, Pottery

Monumental Robert Maxwell & David Cressey Sunburst Planter for Earthgender
By Robert Maxwell, David Cressey
Located in Glendale, CA
Monumental Robert Maxwell & David Cressey sunburst planter for Earthgender. Studio executed in hand etched textured earthenware. A very clean example ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Large Robert Maxwell & David Cressey Thumbprint Planter for Earthgender
By Robert Maxwell, David Cressey
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Robert Maxwell & David Cressey thumbprint planter for Earthgender. Executed in textured earthenware with a stunning brown coloration with glaz...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Large Robert Maxwell & David Cressey Planter for Earthgender
By Robert Maxwell, David Cressey
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Robert Maxwell & David Cressey planter for Earthgender. Executed in earthenware with a stunning black to brown coloration with glaze. A very clean example of an increasingly ra...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Cressey Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

David Cressey vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.

David Cressey vases and vessels are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of David Cressey vases and vessels, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original vases and vessels by David Cressey were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider vases and vessels by Robert Maxwell, Architectural Pottery, and John Follis. Prices for David Cressey vases and vessels can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,500 and can go as high as $12,250, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,198.

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