38 pots, 5 plates
About Edwin and Mary Scheier
Edwin Scheier (b.1910) and Mary Goldsmith (b.1909), met at the Big Stone Gap Federal Art Gallery in Abingdon, Virginia, where Goldsmith was director. After their marriage in 1937, they became travelling puppeteers, designing and building their own puppets, and in 1938 the Scheiers worked with the Federal Art Project in Norris, Tennessee where they learned about ceramics, eventually setting up their own pottery shop in Glade Spring, Virginia.
In 1941, David Campbell, director of the League of New Hampshire Arts and Crafts, invited the Scheiers to the University of New Hampshire to teach ceramics. During their employment at UNH the Scheier’s visited Mexico several times and became interested in both the archaeological artifacts they saw and the weavings done by the Zapotec Indians, for whom Edwin began to create designs for weaving. After they retired from UNH in 1960, the Scheiers lived in Mexico for ten years before finally settling in Arizona.
From September 8th to October 24th, 1979, the UNH Scudder Art Gallery featured a retrospective show of the Scheiers’ works, including paintings, pottery and weavings. The Scheiers’ work has been exhibited in a number of American museums including the Currier Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the New York Museum of, The Museum of Modern Art, Worcester Art Museum, Walker Art Center, the University of Arizona Museum of Art , Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Addison Gallery. Works by Scheier have also appeared in The International Museum of Ceramics, Fenza, Italy; Royal Ontario Museum, Canada; Instituto Mexicano Norteamericano de Relaciones Culturales, Mexico City; and museums in Japan and Germany.
About the Scheier Pottery Collection
The collection contains 38 pots, various shapes and sizes and 5 large, flat blue plates. The pots were thrown and then decorated using sgraffito and applique techniques. Sgraffito is decoration produced by scratching through a surface layer of glazing revealing a different colored ground beneath. Applique refers to a design which is applied, in this case pellets of clay laid on to the pot’s sides to create eyes, nose, mouth, etc. The journey from birth through life is a favorite Scheier motif represented on their pots by stylized human figures holding smaller figures inside themselves.
For more information about the Scheiers, see Michael K. Komanecky’s book, American Potters: Mary and Edwin Scheier and the documentary film Four Hands, One Heart by Ken Browne.
Note on Copyright for Scheier Art Work
Copyright for both Mary and Edwin Scheier’s art work is held by the Currier Museum of Art. Inquiries regarding reproductions and fees should be addressed to rights&repro@currier.org.
Pots
| Pot | Description | Notes | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| l | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte
color: mottled light purple signed: dimensions: 9″ x 19″ |
Storage |
| 2 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte
color: mottled light purple signed: dimensions: 8.5″ x 18″ |
Milne Special Collections Reading Room |
| 3 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with Abstract Design, 1963.
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:glossy
color:mottled blues, greens, rust, and brown signed: Scheier ‘63 dimensions: 18″ x 27.5″ |
Prescott Room |
| 4 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:glossy
color:striated cream, blues, purples. signed: dimensions: 16″ x 33″ |
Storage |
| 5 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with Figure Design.
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte
color: light blue on darkblue, engobe, one glaze is brushed on over another. signed: Scheier 66 dimensions: 22.5″ x 40″ |
Prescott Room |
| 6 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:matte,rough texture
color:lightblue with white(engobe) stripes signed: dimensions: 10.25″ x 15.5″ |
Stark Room |
| 7 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with Face and Figure Design, 1966.
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:matte
color:light blue over dark blue (engobe), neck and base are bronze crater glaze signed: dimensions: 20″ x 29″ |
Prescott Room |
| 8 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:glossy
color:light brown over dark brown (engobe) signed: dimensions: 23.5″ x 35″ |
|
| 9 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: glossy
color: dark brown flecked with gold signed: dimensions: 12″ x 37″ |
Storage |
| 10 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte
color: pale blue over brighter turquoise blue signed: dimensions: 11.25″ x 21″ |
Storage |
| 11 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:semiglossy
color:dark brown and reddish gold flecked signed: dimensions: 11″ x 30.25″ |
Storage |
| 12 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte
color: slate blue signed: dimensions: 25.5″ x 28″ [Cracked on lip and upper neck] |
Storage |
| 13 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte
color: dark blue and pale blue with bronze crater glaze. signed: dimensions: 16.25″ x 37″ |
Prescott Room |
| 14 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte, rough texture
color: light blue with white(engobe) stripes signed: dimensions: 10.5″ x 15.5″ |
Stark Room |
| 15 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: semiglossy
color: varying browns signed: dimensions: 22.25″ x 38.25″ |
|
| 16 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with Face Design, 1966.
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte where black,glossy where metal
color:black, grey, and bronze crater glaze signed: Scheier 66 dimensions: 19″ x 28.5″ |
|
| 17 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:matte
color:tan/light brown signed: dimensions: 25″ x 27.25″ |
Storage |
| 18 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:glossy
color:dark brown,light brown signed: dimensions: 20.25″ x 18.25″ |
Storage |
| 19 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:glossy
color:dark brownw/striated colors beginning halfway down to base, light brown, cream and some blue signed: dimensions: 6.25″ x 32″ Cracked starting at lip to halfway down; Cracked base |
Milne Special Collections Reading Room |
| 20 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:matte
color:pale blue, purple and cream signed: dimensions: 8″ x 24″ |
Milne Special Collections Reading Room |
| 21 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: banded, part matte, partglossy, alternating
color: glossy areas dark brown, matte areas medium brown signed: dimensions: 9″ x 20.5″ |
Milne Special Collections Reading Room |
| 22 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte
color: dark blue with bright blue engobe signed: dimensions: 18″ x 29.5″ |
Storage |
| 23 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:matte
color:blue, pale blue and grey blue signed: dimensions: 10″ x 42.5″ Cracked from base to halfway up on one side | Storage |
| 24 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: matte
color: pale greens signed: dimensions: 13″ x 41″ |
Storage |
| 25 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish: glossy
color: dark blue, dark brown signed: dimensions: 16.5″ x 33″ |
Storage |
| 26 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:matte
color:pale greens signed: dimensions: 7.25″ x 36.5″ |
Prescott Room |
| 27-31 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Platter with abstract design, 1940’s-1950’s
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:matte
color:blue, blue-green signed: ScheieR dimensions: 15.5″ diameter |
Storage |
| 32 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with figure design
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:
color:purple signed: Scheier ‘92 dimensions: 13″ x 11″ |
|
| 33 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with female figure design
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:
color: purple signed: Scheier ‘92 dimensions: 14″ x 11.5″ |
Milne Special Collections Reading Room |
| 34 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with figure design
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:
color: purple signed: Scheier ‘92 dimensions: 12.5″ x 10″ |
Milne Special Collections Reading Room |
| 35 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with female figure design
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:
color: green signed: Scheier ‘92 dimensions: 13″ x 11″ |
Milne Special Collections Reading Room |
| 36 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with alternating female figures figure design
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:
color:brown signed: Scheier ‘91 dimensions: 13.5″ x 11.5″ |
Stark Room |
| 37 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with male, female, and child figures design
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:
color: purple & blue signed: Scheier ‘91 dimensions: 12.5″ x 11.5″ |
|
| 38 | Edwin O. Scheier, American (b. 1910)
Mary Scheier, American (b. 1909) Vase with male and female figure design and lid
Gift of Edwin and Mary Scheier |
finish:
color: purple signed: Scheier ‘92 dimensions: 16″ x 10.5″ |
Milne Special Collections Reading Room |
