Undated
Glidden / 274
Hand-incised Glidden curves above the ram-head GP device; 274 is written separately below.
impressed · stoneware · Alfred, New York, United States
Pottery & porcelain
Glidden Pottery marks
Glidden Pottery marks include incised “Glidden / USA” on stoneware in Alfred, New York, United States. Glidden Pottery was active 1940–1957.
- Active years
- 1940–1957
- Country
- United States
- City / region
- Alfred, New York
- Products
- stoneware dinnerware, buffetware, vases, planters, ashtrays, serving dishes
- Marks
- 5
Factory period 1940–1957 supported by Alfred University and Museum of Arts and Design; designer Fong Chow recalls working there 1952–1957.
What to look for
- Look for the handwritten Glidden name or the ram-head device containing the company’s GP initials. Some marks combine both; others add USA.
- Read numbers separately from the maker’s name. Codes such as 270 or 4010 identify forms and do not by themselves give a manufacture year.
- Compare the full layout and application: a separately incised name beside an impressed device differs from the regular arched-name stamp and the loose painted version.
Dated marks & timeline
5 marks
Undated
Glidden / USA
Hand-lettered name and a separate USA line, with a shape code between; no ram device.
incised · stoneware · Alfred, New York, United States
Undated
Gli… / USA
Loose blue name strokes and a large freehand ram-head device; the worn name is incomplete and USA is written separately below.
painted · blue · stoneware · Alfred, New York, United States
Undated
Glidden
Ram-head GP device sits above a separately written name; name and shape number are turned relative to the emblem.
impressed and incised · stoneware · Alfred, New York, United States
About Glidden Pottery
Glidden Pottery produced stoneware dinnerware and decorative wares in Alfred, New York, from 1940 to 1957. Its founder, Glidden Parker, had studied at the New York State College of Ceramics in Alfred during the late 1930s. He developed the business with his wife, Pat, combining an interest in ceramic form and glazes with production for a broad household market. Early forms were designed by hand before moulds made repeated manufacture possible.
The pottery used slipcasting and ram pressing, followed by individual glazing and decoration. Its range included tea and dinner services, serving dishes, planters, vases and ashtrays. Animal imagery, abstract designs and richly varied glazes gave the wares a recognisable mid-century character. Parker worked with designers and glaze specialists including Fong Chow, Sergio Dello Strologo and Philip Secrest. Chow joined the pottery in the 1950s and developed forms, glazes and decorations, including the Gulfstream and Charcoal and Rice lines.
Glidden’s products appeared in major design exhibitions. Dello Strologo’s Alfred Stoneware buffetware, decorated with herb motifs developed with Chow, was introduced in 1956. Both everyday dinnerware and more sculptural artware remained part of the business. Production ended in 1957. Its bases carry handwritten names, impressed emblems and painted marks, sometimes accompanied by shape numbers or USA.
Also known as: Gliddenware · Glidden Stoneware · Glidden of Alfred · Glidden Pottery, Inc.
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Gladding, McBean / Franciscan
This California pottery is a separate business despite the similar name. Franciscan and Gladding, McBean marks identify its wares; Glidden’s name and ram-head device belong to the Alfred, New York factory.