After joining his stepfather‘s firm Eagle Pottery of Benton, Arkansas in 1895, Charles Hyten built the company into the largest pottery in the state by 1904. The firm was joined by Arthur Dovey moving over from Rookwood in 1909 and changed the name to Niloak. The company name was derived from the locally accessible clay kaolin spelled backwards. The owners developed a type of pottery utilizing different colors of clay mixed together and formed on the spinning wheel into assorted shapes by the potters. This created a swirling effect visible on the pieces which ultimately became popular with the public. This process was patented in 1909 with the first line running from 1910 to 1924. Examples were marked with a die impressed company name and classified as the first art mark. Starting in 1925, the company slightly changed the impression and used the 2nd art mark until the end of mission swirl line in the early 1930’s. Throughout the production, often a circular paper label was also applied to the pieces. After this point, the company developed and marketed other designs of art pottery, the firm ultimately closing in 1947. Perhaps the most popular style from the Niloak Pottery were their mission swirl products.

Talk about standing out in a crowd, this mammoth size art pottery vase by Niloak measures a full 12 1/4” tall. The firm definitely produced larger vases than this example, but even pieces a foot tall are extremely hard to find today. Ovoid in shape, the vessel exhibits a beautiful display of broad bands of brown and tan intermingled with blue, cream and rust swirls.  Measuring about 5 1/2” across the widest region of the body, the top opening spans 3 5/8” diameter. In excellent condition with no chips, cracks, damage or repairs. I see no staining or residue on the inside from use. Fantastic example to enhance any collection.  Please view all pictures as they are considered part of the description. 

Please check back to my listings often as I will be posting numerous fine examples of glass, pottery and porcelain in the near future. 

Thank you.