Preliminary identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
A beautifully glazed Mid-Century Modern ceramic dish featuring a stylized, abstract design with three distinct incised rays. The piece showcases a stunning drip-glaze effect, transitioning from a warm sandy-beige rim to a cool, pool-like turquoise center.
Story
During the post-WWII housing boom, California became the epicenter of a ceramic revolution. This dish was born in El Monte, where local clay was transformed into accessible art for the modern suburban home.
Maker / Origin
Founded by Gerald McFarlin and Maynard Freeman, Freeman-McFarlin Potteries operated in California from the late 1940s through the 1970s. They were highly regarded for their whimsical animal figurines and stylish, organic tableware that captured the relaxed, sun-drenched aesthetic of the West Coast.
Condition & Value
The dish appears to be in very good vintage condition with no visible chips or cracks. The original gold foil label is intact, and the green felt protective pads on the base have preserved the underside from shelf wear. Excellent preservation of the label helps maintain the upper end of the value range.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.