I found it quite odd and rather annoying to go through such clandestine activities just to talk to someone about Harding's work.

However, I realize that perhaps the folks who know and appreciate his art are themselves rather like Harding himself, and so I acquiesce to your quirks. Okay, I've vented, now listen!!

I have two pieces of Harding's very early work, his earliest work (that I know of) with blue glazes.
These are small, hand thrown red clay bowls. The larger, about 6" high, is ringed, with turquoise glaze only on the rim and in the inner rings.
The smaller, about 2" high, has much smaller rings and a crackled turquoise glaze interior which appears to "drip" over the edges of the bowl.

Both pieces are hand-signed "Harding Black 1945".

I have loved these pieces for many, many years. In fact, the most interesting thing about them to me, is that they were personally gifted to my Great-Aunt from Harding Black himself. The actual facts are a little vague, but I do believe that Harding and my Aunt Dena had a romance.

I remember as a child many years ago hearing whispered family stories of Dena's loves and romances. She never married. One of her loves became a prominent Judge, another a famous Doctor. She used to talk about "Harding" on the rare occasions she decided to favor us with stories from her past.

Dena at that time (the 1920's) lived in San Antonio. Dena attended school there for awhile, then left to finish her Education at UT in Austin. She returned to SA in the late 20's, early 30's, where and when I think she may have met Harding Black. Dena herself was a (closet) free-spirit, and VERY artistic, and I think she and Harding shared a deep interest in his art.
In fact, in the late 50's and through the 60's, I remember she was quite involved in different types of glass and acrylic art, in the cloisine fashion. Not a painter, she loved textural art.

When Dena passed, I inherited her estate, which included many magnificent century-old china, porcelain pieces, figurines, and of course, her favorites, Harding Black's two little bowls.

I've wondered, since she never told me, and I've never seen any other piece like them, if Harding made these little bowls just for her, or if they worked on them together, or if he just gave them to her as a gift.

I'll send you a photo as soon as I figger out how. I'm pretty smart, but this techno-thing flusters me something awful....

Any ideas/input??? Thanks Cate Shaw (Just call me Cat)

I have several pieces of Harding Blacks pottery from the 60's because we had a beach house close to his and his mother's in Port Aransas. I did clay sculpture and we traded several pieces, who knows what has happened to those he had of mine. One piece that I have never seen anywhere else is a little wren house that hangs on the wall or a tree with a nail. It has a brown and beige glaze. I wondered if anyone had something similar to this?

Just to let anyone interested know, I have listed a rather large and unusual wall plaque/sculpture by Black on Ebay. The piece depicts a bird in flight and measures approx 14" long. The item number for the piece is 370120977815. My seller name is Urbantiques.

I just listed a harding black on ebay not knowing who he was. could you tell me what it would be worth. it is under the name lilsullybiz

I have a mug that my wife purchased at a garage sale for 50 cents. She didn't know at the time who HB was and apparently neither did the seller. What would be the best way to have it appraised? Thank you.

Randy Carver

Stuart Tomc here and I am looking to start buying Harding Black pottery who are the top dealers? Thank you in advance.
Stuarttomc@yahoo.com

I have a Harding Black gold color creram pitcher, signed and dated 1945.

I wanted to put it om Ebay, but have no idea what it is worth.

HELP

I had been unpacking some things from some 20 years ago and found a piece of pottery that my husband had when we met. I have collected alot of pottery but didn't Know the name, so I looked it up on the internet. What a surprise to find that this famous potter was right around the corner from where my husband grew up. The piece we have is very different. It is a square ginger jar with rounded corners. With a lid. It has a carved picture of a roadrunner on each side panel. Beautiful brown glaze inside and out. On the bottom hand written Harding Black 1972. I traveled up and down Broadway a hundred times in the last 20 years visiting my inlaws. I never knew he was there. I can't believe it. What a find.