Wholesale Hand-Painted Earthenware Soup Plate – Vernon Kilns “California Hand Painted” Series, Vernon, California — Circa 1940–1948

The Plate An enduring piece of early- to mid-20th-century California pottery, this hand-painted earthenware soup plate was produced by Vernon Kilns of Vernon, California, circa 1940–1948. A beautiful example of the company’s “California Hand Painted” line, it showcases the craftsmanship and optimism of prewar West Coast ceramics—combining artistry, accessibility, and a distinctly American color sensibility. The plate features a raised scalloped rim, a soft ivory clay body, and a hand-painted motif of stylized leaves in ochre, brown, and charcoal, encircled by a bright golden-yellow border—a palette that defined the California pottery movement of the 1930s and ’40s. Design & Construction → Pattern & Finish: Each plate was individually hand-painted under glaze, meaning subtle variations in color and brushwork were part of the design. The warm, matte ivory ground and bright border reflect the sunny palette favored in midcentury California tableware. → Form: The shallow bowl with embossed rim reflects Vernon Kilns’ signature “Montecito” and “Ultra” shapes of the 1940s—functional yet decorative. → Marking: The base is impressed and stamped: “HAND PAINTED UNDERGLAZE / VERNON KILNS CALIF. / MADE IN U.S.A.” This backstamp was in use between 1937 and 1952, with your specific typography and circular placement used primarily in the early 1940s. → Material: California red or buff earthenware clay coated with a creamy white slip, fired at low temperature and glazed with hand-applied enamel pigments.