Ben Owen Footed Bowl

Frogskin glazed footed low bowl with horizontal band on dimples, stamped on bottom "Ben Owen Master Potter," North Carolina, Seagrove Area. Of note, this is a hand made piece and is not perfectly round.

Condition: Excellent

Material: Stoneware

Period: Mid 20th century

Dimensions: 3.75"H x 8" diameter

Inventory# V22227

Ben Owen Sr. (1904–1983, Seagrove, NC) was a transformative figure in American ceramics and a cornerstone of the Seagrove, North Carolina, potting tradition. As a sixth-generation potter, he spent 36 years as the master artist at the legendary Jugtown Pottery before founding his own studio, Old Plank Road Pottery, in 1959, where he used his stamp “Ben Owen Master Potter.” Owen is celebrated for his unique ability to fuse traditional Southern folk forms with the refined aesthetics of Asian and European museum pieces. His technical mastery is best seen in his iconic glazes, most notably the striking Chinese Blue, the textured Dogwood White, and the traditional salt-fired Frogskin.

Today, his work is highly sought after by collectors and held in prestigious permanent collections. The caliber of Ben Owen Sr.'s craftsmanship is evidenced by his inclusion in some of the world's most prestigious art institutions. His work is famously part of the permanent collection at The Louvre in Paris, a rare honor for an American folk artist. Domestically, his pieces are held by the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and several regional museums, marking him as one of the most influential southern potters of the 20th century.