Designed by Louis Ipsen, featuring bright glazes produced by Victor Houser, and masterfully executed by potter Matt Carlton, Bauer launched their plainware California Colored Pottery line in 1930. The colors in the original lineup included Chinese yellow, Delphinium blue, and Jade green. Over the next couple of years, Bauer added orange-red, cobalt blue, and black. Following a trend in more casual dining brought on by the Great Depression, customers were encouraged to create mix-and-match sets. Bauer added the “ringware” version of the pottery in 1933, but continued to produce some plainware items until at least 1941. View the full piece list here.

Potter Matt (Matterson) Carlton arrived in Los Angeles in 1915. After a brief stint at Pacific Clay Products, Matt joined Bauer as a turner. Carlton began turning out a variety of artware and vases, including the iconic Rebekah vase. Following the style trends of the Arts & Crafts movement, the earliest of Bauer’s artware was glazed in a matte green finish similar to other pottery manufacturers of the period.

Technically not part of the early plainware line, this drinkware set was created by the potter Matt Carlton. The mugs came in several different sizes.

Another Matt Carlton drinkware set featuring the “dutch” pitcher. This pitcher came in several different sizes. Note the smaller 3″ mugs.

The beanpot came in three sizes: large 2 qt., medium 1.5 qt., and a small 1 qt. size.

Bauer’s first simply designed teacup and saucer.

Grouping of early plainware cups and saucers

Standard plate sizes included 6″ bread & butter plate, 7″ salad plate, 9″ dinner plate, and a 12.5″ chop plate.

Bauer carried over the beer stein from their 1920s stoneware line. The mug stands 4.5″ tall. The baby mug is 3″ tall.

This individual beanpot is approximately 4″ tall.

The sherbet was later produced in the ringware line.

The spice jar came in three different sizes (listed as #1, #2 and #3) and was later produced in the ringware line.

Bauer offered mixing bowls in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from the large 3 1/2 gallon #1 bowl (approximately 16″ diameter), down to the tiny #36 bowl (4″ diameter). Bowls came in 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 sizes; 9-36 are standard mixing bowl sizes.

A simple, fun, and elegant place setting

Bauer made plainware servers through the early 1940s and are easy to find.