Vintage Nemadji Swirl Pottery 6” Vase Shouldered Barrel Shape Green Brown Orange

A collectible vintage piece of art pottery known for its unique, colorful swirl designs and matte, unglazed finish. Made in Minnesota between 1929 and 2002. The vase stands approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) tall and 3.25 inches (8.3 cm) at the mouth of the vase.

The marble-like effect was created by a Danish immigrant, Eric Hellman, in 1929. He dipped fired pottery into a vat of water with floating enamel paints. Vintage Nemadji pottery is made from a blend of local clays that are then molded, fired, and hand-painted with a unique swirled pattern using different colored paints, often including green, brown, and orange tones, and sometimes coated with shellac for a patina on the interior.

The exterior of Nemadji pottery has a natural, matte finish that highlights the swirls. The inside is typically glazed to hold water. Nemadji Tile & Pottery Co. was founded in Moose Lake, Minnesota, and used clay from the nearby Nemadji River. This piece was created between 1980–2002: Pottery from this era, known as the "Earth Pottery Era," features a stamp with an "Indian Head" image. Nemadji pottery ceased production in 2001 after more than 70 years. It remains a collectible item today