Here is a whimsical modern stoneware piece from the late David Gil at Bennington Potters in Vermont. started by David Gil in 1948. It is from the pre-1960 time period when Gil used only the words Design Cooperative, or in this case only the letters CO OP around the hand mark.

David Gil Coop Design #1202 7 inch teardrop French horn player in signature teal glaze, with the COOP Man/hand logo. rough unglazed rim. There is still a shadow that can be seen of the Raymor paper label on bottom which states: MODERN in the Tradition of Good Taste: Raymor, designed by David Gil for Cooperative Design. The label is present on a few of the other four designs in this teardrop series. Excellent condition.


I recently learned that when Gil decided to mark his works with shape numbers, he started with the number 1300. However, if an earlier design was to remain in production, they marked it with a number starting with 1200. This explains the numbering and mark on the transition pieces.

They are among the few American studio potteries that turned into production potteries in the midcentury. It evolved into a co-operative of different art potters.

After 1960, they made their bread and butter by making gorgeous modern styled dinnerware that was distributed throughout the US and sold in fine department stores.

In their 1964 catalogue, Gil described their creations as "Art Objects in the Practical Realm" - Museum Honored, Hand-crafted, Modestly Priced,"