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.

While bumming around today I noticed this Artist of the Week entry at Ceramics Today. There are a couple cool Oil Spot bowls pictured there.

From the sale listing; A GROUP OF SIX HARDING BLACK DOUBLE-SIDED ARCHITECTURAL TILES. EACH IS SIGNED AND DATED 1965. THEY ARE A BEAUTIFUL CHINESE BLUE, AND DECORATED ON BOTH SIDES FEATURING A WILD HOG, ARMADILLO, CACTUS, LONG HORN STEER, PORCUPINE AND ROAD RUNNER.

ALL TILES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

EACH TILE MEASURES 12" SQUARE AND IS 4 3/4" THICK. EACH WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 POUNDS.

The listing (while available) is at; 6 HARDING BLACK POTTERY DOUBLE SIDED TILES SIGNED 1965

I can't help but wonder what kind of project these tiles were originally produced for.

Sold on Ebay 04/06/07

From the sale listing; The beautiful scene depicts Mexican dancers in traditional dress, set against a mission style background, complete with the heavily incised designs, and all the wonderful colors that San Jose Pottery is so well known for. This mural was purchased directly from Harding sometime in the 1940s by the original owner. I have seen only a few tiles from this period, with one being sold on ebaY for $675.00 several months ago that was also dated 1944. That was a single tile, and it was a cowboy caricature. This is a rare opportunity to add this very important art pottery mural to your collection. The mural is in very good condition, with only one 1.5" hairline to the top center tile, and a few minor edge chips as pictured. A fabulous example of San Jose Pottery by the famous Texas potter.

The listing (while available) is at; HARDING BLACK 12 TILE MURAL 1944