FHR Fred Robertson Los Angeles Pottery

FHR Fred Robertson Los Angeles Pottery

Company type	Private
Industry	Art pottery, ceramics
Founded	1 January 1906 (1906-01-01)
Defunct	31 December 1921 (1921-12-31)
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Products	Art pottery, ceramics with crackle, matte, crystalline, and luster glazes

FHR Fred Robertson Los Angeles Pottery was a modest art pottery studio located in Los Angeles, California, active approximately between 1906 and 1921.

Background

Fred H. Robertson, along with his father Alexander, played significant roles in the development of American art pottery. Alexander, coming from a lineage of potters spanning five generations, established Chelsea Keramic Art Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts, around 1866 or 1867. He later founded Dedham Pottery in Dedham, Massachusetts in 1896, followed by Roblin Art Pottery in San Francisco in 1898. Fred contributed to operations at both Chelsea and Dedham, where other relatives such as Alexander's brother Hugh also participated. Dedham Pottery is particularly recognized for its crackle (craquelure), volcanic-style glazes, and cobalt blue hand-painted motifs.

In 1903, Fred joined his father at the Roblin pottery in California. The term "Roblin" is a combination of the names Robertson and Linna Irelan. By 1906, Fred relocated to Los Angeles and took on the role of superintendent at LA Pressed Brick until 1921, during which he earned accolades for his work with crystalline and luster glaze finishes.

Formation of the studio

Between roughly 1906 and 1921, Fred operated a small-scale pottery studio in Los Angeles known as "FHR Fred Robertson Los Angeles." This studio gained recognition for its use of crackle, matte, crystalline, and luster glaze techniques. The distinctive crackle effect was a hallmark inherited from the Chelsea/Dedham tradition, inspired by Oriental ceramics Hugh Robertson encountered at the Centennial Exposition. Items produced often feature either a stamped or incised mark reading "FHR" or "FHR Los Angeles."

In 1921, Fred partnered with Gus Larson from LA Pressed Brick to join Claycraft Potteries Company based at 3101 San Fernando Road in Los Angeles. Fred assumed the position of general superintendent with responsibilities centered on developing clay bodies and glazes. His son George B. Robertson became part of the firm as a designer in 1925. Claycraft earned distinction for its ornamental tiles, garden pottery pieces, fountains, and lamp bases—achievements largely attributed to the Robertson family's expertise. In 1934, they departed to found Robertson/Hollywood Pottery. Claycraft is last documented in Los Angeles city directories in 1939.

Robertson/Hollywood Pottery operated within Los Angeles during a period when many prominent potters moved westward. The company specialized in producing household ceramics such as plates and covered boxes. Their creations typically bear an incised script signature stating "Robertson/Hollywood." This enterprise ceased operations in 1952.

References

• Rago, D. and Perrault, S. (2001) American Art Pottery, Citadel Press.