Vintage Frankoma Pottery #54 Shell Fan Vase Prairie Green Ada Clay 1942-1954 Oklahoma Art Pottery Mid Century Sculptural Vase

One of Frankoma Pottery’s wonderfully sculptural early designs, this vintage #54 Shell Vase combines a dramatic fluted fan or seashell form with the rich glaze variation that makes early Frankoma so collectible. Introduced in 1942, the design rises from a distinctive double-footed base into deeply modeled radiating ribs, with an open sculptural handle incorporated into the back. This example is finished in Prairie Green, producing beautiful variations of soft mint and celadon green against warm golden brown wherever the glaze thins across the raised details. The highly dimensional form gives the vase strong Mid Century Modern, organic modern and coastal appeal beyond the dedicated Frankoma collector market.

The exposed base shows the lighter buff-colored Ada clay associated with Frankoma production before the pottery's transition to red Sapulpa clay in 1954, while the faint old impressed Frankoma marking further supports early production. Since the #54 Shell Vase was introduced in 1942, these characteristics place this example within the original 1942-1954 Ada-clay production period. It is an especially appealing survivor from the earlier years of Oklahoma art pottery and a strong example of Frankoma's distinctive combination of regional clay, expressive glaze and sculptural design.

Measures slightly over 6 inches tall with a base approximately 4½ inches wide. No chips, cracks or other damage were found. Age-related wear and darkened contact marks are visible on the unglazed underside of the base, as shown. An excellent early Frankoma display piece for collectors of American art pottery, Oklahoma pottery, Prairie Green Frankoma, vintage ceramic vases, Mid Century Modern ceramics, organic sculptural pottery and seashell or coastal décor.