The Terra Cotta Tile Works was founded in Terra Cotta Illinois by William D. Gates in 1881 for production of
drain tile, brick and Architectual items. Gates used company facilities to
experiment with clays and glazes in an effort to design a line of Art Pottery.
Early attempts were limited to the popular reds, buffs and browns of the period
but eventually Gates came to the conclusion that color and texture was more
important than the clay bodies. This led him to discover the soft waxy matte
green which was to become the hallmark of a line of Art Pottery which he called
Teco after
TErra
COtta.
Teco Art Pottery was introduced to the public in 1902.
This matte green glaze which often resembled tha patina of acient br /onze
artifacts was developed independently and was NOT an attempt to copy the famous
Grueby green glazes. During this time there were some accidents such as a high
glaze crystalline ware which was produced in limited quantaties and highly
valued by todays collectors.
Teco pottery can rightfully be called functional art. which
would serve some usefull purpose. This fit well with the principals of the Arts
and Crafts Movement which was begun by the English philosopher William Morris.
"Have
nohing in your house which you do not know to be usefull, or believe to be
beautiful"
Many of the Teco designs were the work of a group of young
Chicago architects that were involved in the Prairie School style. They had
rejected the revival styles of American architecture of the 19th century in
favor on the use of wood, stone and clay in simple uncluttered forms. Any
ornamentation consisted of geomentrical or natural objects which merged
gracefully with the form.
Teco Art
Pottery became the ceramic expression of the Prairie School
Style.