Teco Art Pottery
Chicago entrepreneur William Day Gates made his fortune in architectural terra cotta before turning to art pottery. Terra cotta was extremely popular among turn-of-the-century builders and architects as a lightweight, immensely adaptable alternative to stone. Its fireproof qualities appealed to builders in the wake of the devastating Chicago fire of 1871.
At the midpoint of America’s art pottery period, 1899, Gates incorporated Gates Potteries. It was an endeavor born of expertise [...] Click here to continue reading.