Fulper Pottery

The art pottery line was formally introduced with the Vasecraft series in 1909. Vasecraft was influenced by ancient Greek and Chinese ceramics with simple shapes and superb matte, crystalline and flambé glazes. The early years in Fulper Pottery are indicative of the striking quality glazes that Fulper Pottery is so well known for. Using approximately 100 different glazes over the years, there are many examples that are representative of the beauty of even the most common forms.

Likewise, there are a variety of markings over the years. Fulper’s middle period of production also used other marks including the Rafco mark and Flemington stamp. Marking goes as follows:

• Fulper Rectangular Ink Mark (1909-1916)
• Fulper Vasecraft Paper Label (1909-1916)
• Prang Rectangular Ink Mark (1913-1929)
• Raised Oval Fulper Mark (1916-1922)
• Incised Fulper Mark (1916-1922)
• Oval Ink-Stamped Vertical Mark (1922-1928)
• And, the Fulper Horizontal Impressed Mark (1928-1935)

Fulper Pottery artists include John Kunsman, the Rutgers University professor Dr. Cullen Parmelee, and Martin Stangl. In 1910, Martin Stangl became the ceramics engineer for Fulper Pottery, as this area was growing in leaps and bounds. In this role, he was credited for the development of many of the art pottery forms and glazes for the company while also juggling the difficulties inherent of a new business model. Fulper Pottery, under Stangl's direction, became the first American pottery company that introduced a line of dinnerware to the American people in glazed solid colors.

Fulper Pottery was incorporated in 1899 although the company was well established prior to this date. The first art pottery line introduced by Fulper was Vasecraft in 1909. In 1910, Martin Stangl became Fulper's ceramics engineer. Stangl was responsible for the development of many of the art pottery forms and glazes for Fulper. 

In 1929 Stangl acquired Fulper Pottery, and art pottery continued to be produced in much smaller quantity and lower quality until about 1935. In 1935, Stangl shifted to production of dinner ware, and in 1955, the company was renamed to Stangl Pottery. 

Most of Fulper's early work, up to and including the late teens, represents the superior quality glazes for which the company is famous. Fulper Pottery used approximately 100 glazes, ranging from the Chinese-inspired "famille rose" to the pale "Alice blue" and deep "verte antique" glaze.

Markings included the name Fulper in a vertical box, with later shapes bearing the impressed horizontal "Fulper." Some pieces by Martin Stangl include his cipher, with the "M" juxtaposed over the "S" initial.