Genuine Nemadji Vases for Color and Mid-Century Americana Aesthetics – 7"

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With its natural, out-of-the-ordinary earthy hallmark, the Nemadji brand is a true favorite among collectors and decorators, who often intentionally … Read more With its natural, out-of-the-ordinary earthy hallmark, the Nemadji brand is a true favorite among collectors and decorators, who often intentionally seek out mismatched pieces, since every pottery piece is unique by design. Since no two pieces ever left the Minnesota factory looking identical, creative impulse is perfectly embodied by pairing this 7" tall mid-Century set of Nemadji vases, featuring tight, hand-created, graphical geometric shapes, often considered "Native" art. The name “Nemadji,” an Ojibwe word meaning “left hand,” is a directional term for the region’s river that empties into Lake Superior. Although Nemadji is considered representative of the Southwest style, it began in northeastern Minnesota, where it specialized in industrial brick and some decorative hand-thrown pottery. The newly renamed Nemadji Tile and Pottery Company soon won nationwide acclaim for its decorative tile, primarily used for flooring. Danish immigrant Eric Hellman popularized hand-thrown Nemadji pottery by introducing the “cold striped” painting process, and his influence on Nemadji's output was massive. Nemadji shifted from local red clay to white industrial clay blends, and changes in ownership and the addition of new product lines, right up until the company’s closing in 2002, are widely respected for their Native American connection to the location. Early pieces feature arrowhead designs, and from 1980, the word “Nemadji” appeared on the stamp without any symbol. And from 1980 onward, all stamps featured a symbolic Indian head, titled Indian River. And despite the merchandising of Nemadji pottery and the exploitation of American Indians, the pottery is still sought after today. See less