CALIFORNIA POTTERY INDEX - VINTAGE CALIFORNIA POTTERY, DINNERWARE, CERAMICS, FIGURINES - INCLUDING WILL-GEORGE POTTERY

Will-George Pottery

The Will-George Company was founded in 1934 by William and George Climes in William's Los Angeles garage. The brothers manufactured high-quality artware of porcelain and earthenware. In the late thirties their work came to the attention of actor Edgar Bergen who was impressed enough to finance their business.
With the new backing Will-George moved to a larger facility in Pasadena. There they produced an extensive line of art pottery, including very popular bird and animal figurines of exceptional quality. Will-George also produced a line of human figurines similar to Royal Doulton. After World War II and a split with Bergan the business moved to a larger plant in San Gabriel and took the name of The Claysmiths, although their output continued to be marked Will-George.
Like many California potters, Will-George was hurt by the influx of cheap imports in the fifties. The brothers liquidated the business in 1956. Will Climes did design work for Hagen-Renaker until his death in 1960. George Climes worked for the Redondo Tile Co. of Torrance through the fifties and then as a lab technician for Gladding-McBean until his death in 1966.

Will-George Pottery