Speaking of Antiquing – September 2020

Samuel Hill began making utilitarian earthenware in 1814 and was famous for producing much-needed drainpipe in his Flemington, NJ factory. Later, he created household utilitarian crockery until 1860 when Abram Fulper acquired the company. They were famous for beautiful art pottery. In 1909, grandson William was running the company and hired ceramic engineer, Martin Stangl, who quickly rose to prominence developing unusual shapes and glazes.

By 1924, Vice President Stangl introduced America to its first solid color pottery dinnerware. In 1929 the factory in Flemington burned and production resumed in Trenton, where they also began a retail-type business out of a smaller factory. It became quite a popular tourist destination…the first factory outlet, if you will.

In the early 1940’s, in order to compete with other popular pottery companies, they produced unique hand-painted folk-art pottery that was sold in thousands of retail markets in the United States until 1978 when they ceased production.

Stangl had over 300 dinnerware patterns, some quite fragile, others stout and sturdy to last into the next century. Stangl produced complete lines of hand-painted bird and animal figurines that are colorful, whimsical, and quite collectible to this day. Figurines have been collected as gifts and souvenirs for decades, many made by Stangl.

An early Stangl mark was a scripted “Stangl” inside an oval. It later became “Stangl Pottery, Trenton, NJ” and appeared inside the oval underneath.

Pottery lamp bases were in many homes and are still treasured to this day, unmarked under felt bottoms. Many have unusual designs carved into the body, glazed with lovely colors that defined an era.

How many times have we found tchotchkes, vases and old flowerpots at estate sales not knowing they were Stangl, as they did not mark everything? Generations of people have given Stangl pottery as birthday and wedding gifts; they were beautiful and affordable. And now, they are quite collectible.

I want to take this time to thank everyone who popped their heads in the door while we were in “Covid-Closed Mode.” We were painting and reordering the shop, wondering when and if we could open again. You got us through April with online sales. Your encouragement and well wishes sustained us through mid-May when we finally reopened. It was amazing to see so many locals come out of hiding, ready and willing to support local businesses. Even without our usual summer tourism, we have landed on our feet. Thank you for the compliments on how great the store looks and THANK YOU for continuing to shop Pickety Place Antiques and Collectibles.

We are open every day.