Introduction:  As many collectors may already know, few records exist from the production years at Gonder Ceramic Arts.  We have very few production records documenting glaze names, mold numbers, production volumes, to aid in our collecting efforts. 

This lack of documentation has caused speculation and confusion among collectors and dealers for some of the pieces produced at Gonder.  Collectors and dealers often attribute unmarked pieces with drip or crackle glazes to Gonder, even though there were many potteries using similar glazes on their wares.  A quick search of Gonder on eBay will nearly always produce at least one unmarked drip or crackle glaze piece being attributed to Gonder.  

However, we are fortunate in that nearly all production pieces are marked and have an assigned mold number.  There are, of course, exceptions but the number of unmarked pieces is limited.  Lamps produced for various lamp distributors are not marked as Gonder or Elgee.  Those lamps would have carried the label of the lamp distributor.  
       
Gonder items are marked on the bottom or on the back of the piece at the base.  Items were generally marked Gonder, Gonder Original, or Gonder Ceramic Arts.  Marks may be incised or raised; block print style or a fanciful script.  Marks may include U.S.A on some lines if room permitted.  Most pieces are also marked with the mold number and/or letter.  

As was common practice at many potteries, markings evolved over the life of the pottery.  Because most potteries documented these changes to their marks, collectors can easily determine the age of a piece based on the style of mark.  This is especially helpful for potteries that produced wares for decades.  While no hard documentation exists for Gonder marks, it is generally accepted by collectors that the style of mark on a piece can also assist in determining early pieces from later pieces.

Block Print:  The block print mark is believed to be the first marked used on wares produced by Gonder Ceramic Arts.  The block mark consists of the word GONDER in capital letters.  The mark is incised.  Its primitive appearance indicates some very early pieces may have been hand incised.   It is likely that as production increased, stamps were used to impress the mark.   This mark is generally found on pieces from the Standard (B, E, H, J, K, L, M, P series) and Imperial Lines.  The font size used varies with the size of the piece.  The mold number and U.S.A. (rarely MADE IN USA) are usually included on pieces marked with the block style mark.  
       
There are at least three variations of the block style mark.  You may find GONDER displayed centered on the bottom, or in a curved fashion following the edge of the vase.  You may also find GONDER with the middle letters in a slightly smaller font size - as if someone "pinched" the middle of the word.  I've noted this particular style on the #508 Shell Tankard from the Imperial Line.  The words "MADE IN USA" are often found on the J-31 Swan Planter from the Standard Line.  

Script:  The script mark was the next mark introduced by Gonder.  Pieces are marked Gonder in a modified cursive script.  The script mark makes use of the long tail of the letter G and also adds a similar tail to the letter d.  Note the letter E is also modified from lower case to upper case.  This creates a beautiful and unique signature.  This mark was used on pieces from the Standard and Imperial Lines.  The mark is most often raised but may be incised.  The mold number and U.S.A. are usually included on pieces marked with the script style mark. The font size will vary with the size of the piece.  There have been some subtle variations found to this script mark.  In particular, the letter G has been found with several variations. 

Of particular interest, this mark has been shown to be nearly identical to the signature Lawton Gonder used on his business correspondence!

Gonder Original Script:  The introduction of the Gonder Original line was accompanied by a new mark.  The script mark was reused and the word Original was added to denote the new line of wares designed specifically for Gonder.  The lower case letter g in the word original made use of the long tail and mimics the tail from the G and d in the Gonder script.  The mark is impressed and nearly always includes the mold number.  The U.S.A. notation is not found with this mark.  As in the script mark, there have been some subtle variations found in the Gonder Original script mark.  Oddly, I have noted several pieces that have a raised mold number, while the mark Gonder Original is inscribed. 

      
Gonder Ceramic Arts:  The well known figural pieces produced at Gonder -- many with buckets, baskets, and bowls -- commanded their own unique mark.  These pieces are marked Gonder Ceramic Arts in block letters.  Letters are upper case and generally proceeded by ©1950.  This mark is incised and usually found on the back of the figure near the bottom.  Difficult to locate, it is often overlooked by those unfamiliar with Gonder.  It may also be obscured due to heavy glazing. 
       

Gonder Ceramic Arts Ink Stamp:  The ©1949 version of the Asian Water Bearer figures (#777) are marked with an ink stamp mark.  COPYWRITE GONDER CERAMIC ARTS is stamped on the early version of this figural set.  Pieces are most often stamped on the unglazed bottom - although I have seen examples of pieces stamped on the back of the piece.  Lighter glazes, such as Chartreuse and Dove Grey would allow for such a mark.  The ink stamp is prone to fading and wear making it sometimes difficult to see.  With the exception of the La Gonda line and one Flower Arranger, the editor knows of no other Gonder pieces marked with an ink stamp.

La Gonda Ink Stamp:  The La Gonda line of luncheonware also secured a unique mark.  These pieces are ink stamped with the phrase "This piece individually handcrafted by Gonder".  The ink stamp is blue and also prone to fading.  The mark on smaller pieces from the line is often difficult to decipher due to extremely small font size.  The quality of the mark is often poor and/or illegible. 
       

Paper Labels:  Gonder supplemented the marks above with paper labels.  It is not known if every piece leaving the factory was accompanied by a paper label.  As you can imagine, paper labels were often removed by the owners and few remain.   Gonder used several paper labels.

• "Crafted by Gonder Factory & Studio - Zanesville, Ohio" - this label is the most commonly found label.  It is silver with blue lettering.  I suspect this label was found on most pieces leaving the factory. 
  

• "Authentic Chinese Interpretations by Gonder" - this label is red and gold foil.  It is very hard to find.  Used on Chinese inspired pieces from the Imperial Line (500 series) and some Gonder Original 700 Series pieces.
  

• "Authentic Chinese Interpretations by Gonder" - this a hang tag attached to pieces.  It is very hard to find.  Used on Chinese inspired pieces from the Imperial Line (500 series).  There have been three versions of this hang tag surface in recent years.  

• "Antique Gold Crackle by Gonder" - this is a hang tag attached to pieces finished in this popular glaze.  Three versions of this hang tag are known to exist. 

• "Sovereign Gonder U.S.A. -- this label is found in silver and black or gold and black.  This is the only identifiable mark on Sovereign Line pieces.  Pieces would be nearly impossible to identify to novice dealers and collectors if the label is not present. 
  

       
While the silver and blue label generally does not warrant an increase in value for a piece, collectors will often pay a significant premium for pieces with the Chinese Interpretation or Antique Gold Crackle labels and/or hang tags.   Recently discovered hang tags resulted in sale prices far exceeding normal values.