The J.A. Bauer Pottery Co.
Active 1885-1962

Bauer Pottery earned its fortune producing red-clay flowerpots and its fame producing simply shaped, vividly colored ceramics for the kitchen and table. In 1910, John Andrew Bauer opened a factory on the outskirts of Los Angeles in a neighborhood noted for its existing potteries, skilled workforce, and active freight rail line. By 1916 the J.A. Bauer Pottery Co. had introduced a line of molded and hand-thrown art pottery vases and bowls in a popular green matte glaze.

Bauer Pottery's most recognizable wares were created after Andy's death by Louis Ipsen, who designed the first Bauer Ring-Ware in 1932. The Ringware pattern was sometimes known as "Beehive" because the cups look like little beehives when turned upside down. Concentric circles covered the entire piece. It was produced quickly and efficiently in molds, in vibrant, glossy hues of dark blue, green, yellow, orange, burnt orange, ivory, black, and maroon. Pastel colors were made during WWII when ingredients for the bright glazes were scarce.

Bauer pottery was widely imitated most notably, by Fiesta Ware a line of the Homer Laughlin China Company, introduced in 1936. Fiesta ware was characterized by a band on concentric circles, beginning at the rim. Cups had full-circle handles until 1969, when partial-circle handles were made. Collecting Bauer can be difficult as many Bauer pieces were not marked.