1950s John Follis & Rex Goode Architectural Pottery Planter + Catch-All

Description

This John Follis & Rex Goode Small Architectural Pottery Planter + Catch-All is a rare and historically significant piece from … more This John Follis & Rex Goode Small Architectural Pottery Planter + Catch-All is a rare and historically significant piece from the renowned Architectural Pottery Company. Made from natural bisque clay, it features a beautiful patina from use, showcasing its vintage charm. The piece, standing at 5 inches in height and 10.5 inches in width and depth, is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs, and even "rings like a bell." It can be used as a functional planter, a decorative accent, or a valuable addition to any mid-century modern design collection.

John Follis (1913–1995), an American industrial designer, and Rex Goode helped shape modernist design through their work with Architectural Pottery. Founded in 1950 by Max and Rita Lawrence alongside Follis and Goode, the company became a staple of mid-century modernism, known for its clean, refined forms that seamlessly blended indoor and outdoor spaces. This planter exemplifies their innovative vision and craftsmanship, which made Architectural Pottery an icon in California design history. As Bill Stern, director of the Museum of California Design, noted, “Whenever we see a white cylinder planted with a tree or flowers inside or outside an office building or a bank, and now quite often at gasoline stations, all of that is the heritage of Architectural Pottery.”

Follis’ work is celebrated globally, with his designs featured in prestigious museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in Washington, D.C. This planter embodies the timeless aesthetic and functionality that continues to influence design today. Ready to be admired as a standalone piece or in a collection, it’s a tangible link to the legacy of California modernism. less