Mary Louise McLaughlin (1847-1939)
Mary Louise McLaughlin, pioneered the technique of underglaze decoration of ceramics after viewing the Haviland & Co. display of slip painted faience at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. The visit inspired her to discover this technique, known only to Haviland at the time. She acquired the proper coloring agents in September 1877, and in January 1878 fired her first successful piece, becoming the first in the United States to do so. On April 1, 1879 McLaughlin organized the Women’s Pottery Club (1879-1890), with 12 active and three honorary members, with the membership never changing during the 11 years of the club’s existence. She was a pottery decorator for Rookwood from 1882-1900.
Mary Louise McLaughlin had a distinguished artistic career and worked in a variety of media. She received her formal art training at the McMicken School of Design in drawing, painting, sculpture, metalwork, woodcarving and china painting. She later studied under Frank Duveneck. McLaughlin experimented with porcelain firings and is recognized for her production of American Faience and Losanti.
Information courtesy of Cowan’s Auctions Inc., October 2005 and October 2008.