From the collection: Moby Dick

Rockwell Kent platter 

Vernon Kilns was a Southern California pottery that produced dinnerware and art ware from 1931-1958. They worked with many outside designers, including the illustrator Rockwell Kent.

I admire the work of Kent (1882-1971), a great artist and a fascinating character: illustrator, painter, writer, adventurer, sailor. 

In the late 1930's, Kent adapted his book illustrations to decorate three lines of Vernon dinnerware. Salamina was based on a story from his Arctic adventures. Our America was decorated with regional scenes from around the country. Moby Dick was adapted from his illustrations for the Melville novel. 

This is the platter from the Moby Dick set. I love the drama of this piece- the surface of the waves, the heeling ship, the men pulling the whaleboat, the vertical hatching in the sky, and the gulls in the foreground, creating the illusion of depth.

I recommend Kent's two illustrated books of his sailing adventures- N By E (New York to Greenland) and Voyaging Southward From the Strait of Magellan.

Click the images below to enlarge