Introduction: Gonder produced another line of glazes - mostly on Original line pieces - that
collectors call Swirl or Drizzle. These pieces most often use ivory as the
primary glaze - a secondary glaze is then swirled or drizzled over the entire
piece. According to a former factory worker, the tips of ordinary paint
brushes were trimmed and modified to create a custom brush for applying the secondary
glaze. A pottery wheel was often used to rotate the piece while the glaze
was applied. Secondary colors are black, forest green or brown.
It
has been speculated that a blue swirl also exists. Under bright photography
lights, I have noted pieces that I originally believed to be black do indeed
have areas with a blue tint. When this secondary glaze was allowed to run or
was thinly applied, a blue tint is clearly visible. I am not totally convinced
that blue is the intended color. I rather think it an unintended affect of the
glaze application. When viewing areas where no runs occur, I can find no
distinction between "blue" and "black". Hopefully you will be able to see this
in the photos. Yet another example of areas that need continued research since
I've yet to find documentation indicating the actual production colors.
Finally, I have a few examples of variations on this glaze
technique. I have a pitcher and mug that use caramel as the secondary drip
glaze. These are the only pieces I have seen using this color combination. I
also have pieces that used Forest Green or Yellow as the base glaze and black as
the secondary glaze! My examples are both on 700 series planters. Perhaps you
have examples using a color other than ivory as the primary glaze. I suspect
none of these were production glazes since they are not readily available.
These are likely custom orders, end of day pieces, or presentation
pieces.
White with Black, Forest Green
or Brown Swirl - the proper name for these glazes has not surfaced in any
company documentation. Most often found on 700 series planters and 1200 series
of bottles from the Original line. Rarely found on kitchenware items from the
Gonder Original line. Rarely found on E-365 piece from the Standard
line.
Standard, Imperial - rarely found on pieces in these lines.
Original - most often found on pieces in this line.
Ceramic Arts, Lamp Bases - not generally used on these lines.
