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Meet the artists and crew behind Hagen-Renaker California Pottery and enjoy their creations as this book delves into a behind-the-scenes look at this incredible company that has produced fine ceramics since 1946. Realistic and whimsical clay animal figurines are featured in over 480 beautiful color photos on 175 glossy pages. Horses, dogs, cats, wildlife, and more are featured along with fun stories about their origins. Highly valued as collectibles, these charming figures are irresistible. Each artist or Renaker family member has their own chapter to tell their story. There is also information on other potteries of the time, history of the company, and a look at some Hagen-Renaker imitations are included.
The Hagen-Renaker pottery company of California was founded in the garage of John and Maxine Renaker in the mid-1940s. They vigorously pursued the dream of having their own pottery company, creating appealing, yet affordable, figurines, along with a few table pieces. Their dream blossomed into reality, and the business has grown over the years, a testament to the desirability and durability of their creations. This book continues the story with more of the hundreds of charming Hagen-Renaker creations, from their realistic horses to whimsical or stylized animals in many varieties. Also included are some fabulous test pieces, a chapter dedicated to identifying and dating Hagen-Renakers, and some rare finds from the Renaker archives. This invaluable resource identifies the period in which items were created, and gives tips for recognizing Hagen-Renaker models and the imitations that have followed.
Best known as the equine designer for the Hagen-Renaker Pottery Company of California, Maureen Love began her professional career as an artist by painting beautiful portraits of Thoroughbred and Arabian horses for their owners. She quickly moved into the realm of sculpture, creating realistic models that captured the spirit and beauty of her subjects. Her ability to draw earned her a position in 1951 with Hagen-Renaker as a decorator. She promptly proved her proficiency at three-dimensional art and soon began sculpting for the pottery. What followed were five decades of life-like equine, bird, wildlife, and other assorted creations, all eagerly coveted by collectors around the world. This book features hundreds of photographs of the horses and other animals created by Maureen Love, both through her own independent companies and through the Hagen-Renaker Pottery. Many pieces are very difficult to find, so this collection is truly a treasure of visual delights. A detailed personal history, index, and information on collaborations with other artists are also included in this wonderful tribute to a multi-talented artist.
This is the first book devoted entirely to the vast array of wonderful animal sculptures and decorative items produced by Freeman-McFarlin Pottery, located in California from 1951 through 1980. This book contains over 480 vivid photos and vintage catalog pages, interviews with former employees, and examples of the beautiful finishes. Learn the story of the overlapping histories of other California Potteries owned by Gerald McFarlin prior to his partnership with Maynard Anthony Freeman, including Tudor Pottery, Rio Hondo, and McFarlin Potteries. The early years are defined by cute miniature animals and plain-looking pottery. Once the partnership flourished, the animals and tableware became larger, bolder, and much more innovative. The history includes two factories, numerous artists, a devastating fire, the sale of the company to International Multifoods of Minnesota, and ultimately, the sale to Hagen-Renaker, a well-known California Pottery, in 1980.
This third and final volume in the Hagen-Renaker series of books continues where the first two left off, featuring models or colors not covered in the other books and catching up with more recently released figurines. The chapters feature numerous horses, cats, dogs, other animals, Disney characters, and dealer special runs. The Albert Staehle Saturday Evening Post dog, “Butch,” has a special feature, as do some of the Zany Zoo critters and the popular Little Horribles. There are also many unique, rare treasures not commonly seen, and a section on imitations. Nearly 500 images fill this book, along with detailed, informative text, plus photos of four incredible, unique horses designed and finished by Maureen Love for her personal collection. Finally, the book features a farewell tribute to several of the talented artists and craftspeople who were with Hagen-Renaker pottery since the early 1950s.
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