Is Bennington Pottery Handmade?
Bennington pottery refers to ceramic tableware and decorative objects made by the Bennington Potters company in Bennington, Vermont. The company was founded in 1924 by Basque-American immigrant John Wolff and eventually became one of the largest pottery manufacturers in the United States.
Bennington Potters started out producing handcrafted, hand-thrown pottery using local clay. However, to meet increasing demand, the company gradually transitioned to more automated production methods in the 1930s. While maintaining high quality standards, most Bennington pottery from this era onward was mass-produced using plaster molds and assembly line techniques.
So while early Bennington pottery included more handmade elements, over time the manufacturing became more industrialized. Yet the company continued emphasizing artistry and craftsmanship even within its mass production. So determining whether Bennington pottery is “handmade” requires looking at specific pieces and eras of production.
Manufacturing Process
Bennington pottery is made in the company’s factory in Bennington, Vermont using a combination of handcrafting techniques and modern machinery. According to the “Bennington Made” video on the company’s website, it starts with locally sourced clay that is refined and turned into clay bodies for different types of pottery 1. The clay bodies are mixed with water and extruded into cylinders that are sliced into discs. Skilled workers then throw these discs on pottery wheels to shape many of the forms.
Other pieces are made using molds and hand assembling components. The pottery is then dried slowly to avoid cracking. Next, the bisque pieces are dipped into glazes or hand-painted with decorations and motifs. The glazed pottery is fired in gas kilns at over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to fuse the glaze with the clay body. After a final inspection, the finished pottery is ready for sale.
While modern machinery is used for preparing the clay and some steps, Bennington pottery still requires considerable handcrafting and skill from the factory workers. The combination of handmade elements with some mechanization allows Bennington to produce their signature style of pottery while maintaining quality and efficiency.
Handmade Elements
Although Bennington pottery utilizes some mass production techniques, it maintains several handmade elements in the manufacturing process.
The most important handcrafted component is the creation of molds. Bennington’s skilled artisans individually sculpt each new piece by hand based on the designer’s vision. They meticulously shape the clay, perfecting the contours and textures until the final approved design is achieved. This is an intricate, hands-on process that relies entirely on the mold maker’s talent and artistic eye.
The mold then goes to the workers who prepare and apply the glazes. The glazing is done partially by hand, with workers spraying, brushing, and sponging on the colorful finishes. They carefully control the glaze textures and designs, adding artistic flair and uniqueness to every piece.
Additionally, decorators hand paint flourishes and emblems onto many Bennington items after firing. These small hand-painted details contribute nuance and whimsy, bringing each piece to life.
Mass Production
While Bennington pottery incorporates some handmade elements, the overall manufacturing process utilizes many mass production techniques. This includes the use of molds for efficiently shaping pieces in large volumes. The pottery is created via an assembly line workflow, with each worker specializing in certain steps along the production chain.
Some processes have also been mechanized, such as jiggering machines for shaping curved surfaces on molds. According to the Bennington Museum, “By the 1930s, jiggering machines mass-produced the shapes while hand assembly-line techniques attached handles and decorated the surfaces.”
So while the decorative painting and glazing involves craftsmanship, the overall manufacturing process involves a high degree of mechanization and standardized molds. This enables Bennington to produce their pottery designs on a large scale.
Quality
Bennington Potters is known for producing high quality pottery using top grade materials. The clay bodies used at the factory are smooth and durable, providing a sturdy foundation for their designs [1]. The glazes applied are thick and glossy, praised for their vibrant colors that stand the test of time and daily use. Bennington employs skilled artisans and utilizes precision manufacturing processes to achieve consistency across its product lines, so customers know what to expect with each new Bennington piece.
While the designs and production methods allow Bennington to efficiently produce at scale, the company does not compromise on quality. Each piece meets rigorous standards before leaving the Vermont factory to ensure long-lasting beauty and durability. This commitment to quality materials and craftsmanship is what sets Bennington apart [2].
Cost of Bennington Pottery
Bennington pottery occupies a middle ground in terms of pricing and cost. On one hand, the mass production techniques allow Bennington to lower costs compared to fully handmade pottery. The ability to produce items at a large scale brings economies of scale into play. Raw materials, manufacturing equipment, facilities, and labor can all be purchased and utilized more efficiently. This efficiency is passed along to customers in the form of more affordable pricing.
On the other hand, the handmade sculpting and decorating done by skilled artisans raises costs compared to fully machine-made pottery. Paying specialized workers to hand craft key elements of each piece adds expense. However, this expense also adds value in the form of unique, high-quality pottery.
Overall, Bennington pottery is able to balance mass production cost savings with handmade quality touches. This allows them to occupy the mid-market, offering prices that are reasonable yet still reflect the human craftsmanship involved.
Customer Perception
Bennington pottery is generally seen as high-end and collectible by customers. Many reviewers on sites like TripAdvisor mention that Bennington pottery is valued for being handmade in America.
While Bennington utilizes some industrial production methods, each piece still goes through hand finishing and quality checks by artisans. This blend of handmade craftsmanship and efficiency of scale is appreciated by customers looking for beautiful, durable American-made pottery.
As a storied brand founded in Bennington, Vermont in 1948, Bennington pottery has a reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Many collectors seek out vintage and antique Bennington pieces, reflecting the brand’s enduring popularity and perceived value.
Comparison to Fully Handmade
While Bennington pottery incorporates some handmade elements, there are clear differences when compared to pottery that is completely handmade from start to finish.
Fully handmade pottery involves an artisan crafting each piece individually from raw clay through to glazing and firing. This hands-on process allows for more unique shapes, textures, and designs in each finished piece. In contrast, Bennington pottery starts with partially machine-made greenware that is then hand-finished by decorators. This semi-automated production results in more consistency and standardization across Bennington pieces.
There are aesthetic differences as well. Fully handmade pieces will have more irregularities and an organic, one-of-a-kind look. Bennington pottery has a more uniform appearance since shapes and patterns are mass produced. However, Bennington decorators do impart some individual stylistic touches through hand painting and glazing.
These differences also impact cost and pricing. While high-end fully handmade pottery can be quite expensive due to intensive labor and low production volumes, Bennington is able to offer reasonable prices for their pottery by utilizing partial mechanization in making forms and shapes. Yet because each piece receives hand-finishing, Bennington can still command a premium over fully mass produced pottery.
Is Bennington Pottery Handmade?
While Bennington Pottery has some handmade elements, it utilizes mass production techniques that make it difficult to consider the pottery truly handmade. Here’s a summary of the handmade and mass production aspects:
Handmade Elements:
- Clay is mixed by hand in small batches (https://www.benningtonpotters.com)
- Pottery is touched by artists throughout production (https://www.facebook.com/BenningtonPotters)
- Glazes are hand applied with care to finish pieces (https://www.etsy.com/market/bennington_pottery)
Mass Production:
- Molds are used to shape most pieces
- Pottery wheel only used for specialty/custom items
- Kilns fire hundreds of pieces at once
- Assembly line techniques used for efficiency
While there are handmade elements at certain points, the overall Bennington Pottery process utilizes mass production. The use of molds, kilns, and assembly lines to create consistent, uniform pieces makes it difficult to consider Bennington Pottery truly handmade.
In conclusion, Bennington Pottery incorporates some handmade steps but relies heavily on mass production. So it is not fully handmade pottery, but rather an amalgamation of handmade and mass produced techniques.
Conclusion
In summary, while Bennington pottery incorporates some handmade elements like hand-painting and glazing, it relies primarily on mass production techniques for efficiency and affordability. The clay bodies and forms are machine made, though skilled artisans do contribute finishing touches. This efficient hybrid method allows Bennington to produce high volumes of pottery with handmade aesthetics, at lower costs than entirely handcrafted wares. While not completely handmade, Bennington enjoys a reputation for quality craftsmanship and occupies an appealing middle-ground in the pottery market between mass-produced and artisan-made.
Bennington pottery incorporates just enough handmade technique to maintain a handcrafted allure, while leveraging mass production for accessibility. This strategic balance of approaches has carved out a profitable niche for Bennington. Moving forward, the company seems intent on preserving its legacy and market position as a maker of ceramics that look and feel lovingly handmade, even if machines play a substantial role behind the scenes.