David Cressey, a multi-disciplinary artist who had a six-decade career, created pottery and ceramics that revolutionized indoor/outdoor planters with their architectural style. Implementing artistic functionality into his pieces, Cressey designed in modern and mid-century modern styles. He created many planters, vases and table lamps, which remain highly desirable to collectors.
Cressey was the first artist in residence at Architectural Pottery in Los Angeles in 1961, helping to transform its urban and residential work. This was highly influential in the architecture and design worlds as the company mass-produced and sold sculptural, functional pieces.
Cressey also opened a design studio in Venice Beach, California, collaborating with Group Artec and Earthgender Ceramics. When Architectural Pottery closed in the mid-1980s due to a fire, Cressey continued to produce art, this time in the medium of mixed media on wood.
Cressey artwork evokes a similar physical and sensory experience as his vessels, lanterns and folk art ceramics. Evocatively Californian, his paintings evolved from his clay-based practice with a masterful use of color, saturation and texture. His fine art training included studying at the University of Southern California under Vivika Heino and at the University of California, Los Angeles, with Laura Andreson.
In 2006, he received the California Design Award. Museums that have exhibited his work include the Pasadena Art Museum in 1967, the Everson Museum of Art in 1961, the Oakland Museum of California in 1961 and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2011.
On 1stDibs, find a rare collection of David Cressey building and garden elements, decorative objects, lighting and more.
David Cressey Flame-Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Flame Glaze.” This planter has a flat lipped rim and wide belly that tappe...
Stoneware
David Cressey Cylindrical Flame-Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Flame Glaze.” This planter has a slim cylindrical body, a simple shape re...
Ceramic
David Cressey Pro/Artisan Sand Urn for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery's Pro/Artisan collection. This planter has a soft olive green speckle glazed exterior and interior. The top of the planter has slig...
Stoneware
David Cressey Flame-Glazed Planter by Architectural Pottery, 16.5"
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Flame Glaze.” This planter has a cylindrical body, a simple shape rendere...
Stoneware
David Cressey Pro/Artisan Blue Flame-Glaze Sand Urn for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planter by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery's Pro/Artisan collection with Cressey’s signature Blue “Flame Glaze." This planter has slightly bowed sides and a flattened lip. ...
Ceramic
David Cressey Flame-Glazed Bullet Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Architectural Pottery, John Follis, David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Follis Bullet planter with David Cressey's signature “Flame Glaze” for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery. The planter has slightly bowed sides and a flattened ...
Stoneware
Midcentury Drip Glaze Stoneware Planter in the Style of David Cressey
By David Cressey
Located in San Diego, CA
Drip Glaze stoneware planter from the 1960s. Signed USA on the bottom.
Stoneware
David Cressey Mid-Century Stoneware Planter with Dual-Tone Glaze
By David Cressey
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A striking mid-century stoneware planter by renowned California ceramicist David Cressey, created for Architectural Pottery during the 1960s–1970s. This impressive vessel perfectly e...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern ACCOLAY Planter Vase, Ceramic, France, 1950s, 20cm
By Accolay Pottery
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Mid-Century Ceramic Planter Vase by Accolay, France, 1950s. A striking French Mid-Century modern planter vase by Accolay, produced in France during the 1950s. The piece featu...
Ceramic
MCM Drip Glaze Studio Pottery Stoneware Vase by Del Soto
By David Cressey
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice MCM drip glaze studio pottery stoneware vase by Del Soto, circa 1971. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 7.5"D x 7"H; it is sign...
Stoneware
David Cressey “Expressive” Planter for Architectural Pottery, Pro/Artisan Series
By David Cressey, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully executed example from David Cressey’s Pro/Artisan Series for Architectural Pottery, this large cylindrical planter features the rare and visually dynamic “Expressive” m...
Ceramic
Small MCM Drip Glaze Ceramic Vase by Ken's of California
Located in San Diego, CA
Small MCM drip glaze ceramic vase by Ken's of California, circa 1960s. This vase is in excellent used condition with no chips or cracks and measures 2.75"W x 2"D x 4.25"H; it is sign...
Ceramic
