Glidden Pottery

The New Yorker magazine described Glidden Pottery as "distinguished by a mat surface, soft color combinations, and, in general, well-thought-out forms that one won't see duplicated in other wares".

[3][4] Parker started Glidden Pottery in 1940 in the ceramics studio of Professor Fosdick on North Main Street in Alfred, before moving into its own building.

[1] During an interview at the time of the tenth anniversary of Glidden Pottery, Parker stated, "We try to combine handwork with technical developments without destroying the intimate quality.

"[4] Parker successfully marketed his product in New York City and Gliddenware was soon for sale at major department stores across the United States such as Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman and Marshall Field's.

To accommodate the growing business Parker purchased land on North Main Street in Alfred and built a new concrete block building in 1945.

[4] In 1945 Glidden Pottery began to receive publicity in national magazines, both as write-ups that featured the work and as props in advertisements for housewares or food.

[3] Glidden Pottery was also recognized in the Good Design shows at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and at Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

While the RAM Press was a more automated production method, Glidden Pottery continued to be hand-finished and hand-decorated, in keeping with Parker’s design philosophy.

[3] Fong Chow (b. Tianjin, China, 1923–2012) joined Glidden Pottery as a designer in 1953 after graduating from Alfred University and continued with the company until it closed in 1957.

[3] Sergio Dello Strologo (b. Italy, 1928–1999) designed the Alfred Stoneware dinnerware line in 1956 with glazes in Saffron, Cayenne and Parsley by Fong Chow.