Stangl Pottery

Although noted for vibrant hand-painted dinnerware in floral and fruit patterns, Stangl Pottery produced a diverse line of quality handcrafted art pottery. Founded in Flemington, New Jersey as Hill Pottery in 1814, Hill produced utilitarian products such as drainpipes, storage crocks, and jars from Flemington's red earthenware clay.

Abram Fulper acquired Hill Pottery in the 1860?s, and continued to manufacture utilitarian pottery, however Fulper primarily produced stoneware, rather than the earthenware produced by Hill. Incorporated in 1899 as Fulper Pottery Co., the company was now under the direction of William H. Fulper II, grandson of Abram Fulper. William H. Fulper II was responsible for the development and introduction of Fulper Pottery Co.'s now renowned Vase-kraft art pottery in 1909.

In 1910, Fulper hired ceramic engineer Martin Stangl to develop new shapes and glazes. By 1924, Martin Stangl was vice president of the company, and was responsible for the introduction of America's first open stock solid-color dinnerware. The firm name was changed to Stangl Pottery in 1929

Production continued exclusively in the original Flemington factory until the1920s when a second factory was built in Flemington and existing pottery facility in Trenton was acquired. The original factory in Flemington burned in 1929 and all production was absorbed by the remaining two facilities. Production was discontinued at the remaining Flemington location in 1935, which was converted to a retail showroom and one of the Nation's first factory outlets.

The introduction of Stangl's best-known product hand-carved, hand-painted dinnerware in 1942, improved upon the hand-painted dinnerware in fashion during the 1940?s. More than 3000 outlets retailed Stangl?s dinnerware and art pottery across America.

From the 1930s through 1978, Stangl's Flemington Outlet showroom was a popular tourist destination. Automobile clubs and tour bus lines often included the Stangl Outlet as an integral part of many road trips. In 1965, Martin Stangl wrote the following foreword in the company promotional booklet Stangl, a Portrait in Progress in Pottery:

in our world of automation, there are few industries that specialize in hand-crafted items. Stangl Pottery, one of America 's oldest potteries, still takes the time to hand craft and hand-paint each and every piece of dinnerware. Stangl dinnerware is still-and will continue to be-a work of art. We are proud of Stangl hand-crafted dinnerware and artware. Those who own it also experience this pride of possession.

In November 1978, Stangl Pottery ceased manufacturing and closed forever. Never acheiving the critical acclaim of piers Grueby or Rookwood. Fulper and Stangl have not attracted a broad base of devoted collectors, and therefore remain both affordable and available.