Arthur Eugene Baggs
Albert Eugene Baggs was born October 27, 1886 in Alfred, New York. He graduated from the Alfred Academy in 1903 and then Alfred University from 1903 to 1905.
Arthur Baggs was a college student studying chemistry who learned pottery making under Charles Fergus Binns at the NY School of Clayworking and Ceramics at Alfred University. Binns taught Baggs the practical aspects of running a pottery from 1903-1905. Another contemporary students at Alfred was R. Guy Cowans, who would develop his own pottery in Ohio.
Charles Fergus Binns, Born October 4, 1857 at Worcester, England, Died December 4, 1935. He was the Dean of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in Alfred, NY from 1900 to 1931.
In the summer of 1905 Dr. Hall wrote to Binns requesting assistance with his pottery program. Binns sent Baggs, an Alfred University college student on summer holiday to help Dr. Herbert James Hall (1870-1923) establish a pottery as an element of occupational therapy at his sanatorium in Marblehead, MA. Arthur Baggs initially was charged with teaching patients the pottery craft. In time, a professional staff was established and the pottery program became independent of the other handcraft crafts.
Baggs directed the Marblehead Pottery until it closed in 1936.
Image reproduced with permission from the collection of the Marblehead Museum, Marblehead, MA
In 1908 the Marblehead Pottery separated from the therapeutic crafts program and was reorganized as a commercial enterprise. Baggs designed the wares, mostly simple shaped vases covered with muted matte glazes and contrasting stylized decorations.
In 1910 Baggs began mail-order sales of Marblehead Pottery.
In 1910 and 1911 Baggs returned to Alfred for additional studies with Charles Binns over three semesters.
In 1912 and 1913 he studied drawing, painting and sculpture at the Art Students League in New York City. From 1913 to 1920 Baggs taught part time at the Ethical Culture School in New York City. He also taught at the School of Design and Liberal Arts in New York in 1919 and 1920.
In 1915 Baggs purchased the pottery business from Dr. Hall. He moved the business to 111 Front Street in Marblehead, MA. Baggs continued to direct Marblehead Pottery until its closure in 1936.
Cover of the March 9, 2008 David Rago auction of materials from the personal collection of Arthur Baggs
Arthur Baggs married Helen Dorothy French of Lynn, Massachusetts in 1915. They had two sons, Arthur Eugene Baggs , Jr. and Hartwell French Baggs. Sadly, Helen died in 1919 and Hartwell in 1921. Arthur Baggs married Laura Esther Trowbridge in 1921. They had a daughter, Mary Trowbridge Baggs.
Originally, the pottery was open year-round. Beginning in 1930, Marblehead Pottery was only open in the summer, when the local population increased with seasonal visitors. In the winter Baggs taught pottery at institutions including the Ethical Cultural School and the School of Design and Liberal Arts in New York (1913-1920) and the Cleveland School of Art (1927-28). From 1925-28, Baggs worked 9 months each year at the his Alfred University classmate R. Guy Cowan’s Cowan Pottery Studio in Rocky River, Ohio. While working at Cowan as Associate Chemist, Baggs developed brilliant blue and green glazes. During these years, Baggs spent at least 3 months each summer at the Marblehead pottery.
Arthur Baggs at his studio - possibly at Ohio State
In 1928 Arthur Baggs became the head of the newly formed division of Ceramic Art and Professor of Arts at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State had a longstanding program in ceramic engineering, Baggs developed a new program in ceramic art.
Baggs was awarded the Charles F. Binns Medal in 1928 in New York. In 1936 Alfred University awarded Baggs, who had never completed his college degree, an honorary degree.
During the 1930s Baggs revived interest in salt-glazing stoneware. Bagg’s 'Cookie Jar' (1938) is considered a key work in the use of salt-glaze stoneware.
Everson Museum of Art, Identifier 39.342.a-b
Baggs exhibited in 1933 at the Robineau Memorial Ceramic Exhibition in Syracuse and at the 1937 Paris Exhibition.
After the Marblehead Pottery was closed in 1936, Baggs continued his teaching at Ohio State University.
Arthur Baggs died February 15, 1947 at the age of 60 in Columbus, Ohio.
His papers and a study collection of his work are housed in the Arthur Baggs Memorial Library at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Other Baggs papers are owned by the Two Red Roses Foundation in Sarasota, Florida.
Medallion honoring Arthur Baggs’ daughter, Mary Trowbridge Baggs
Baggs Signed Pottery Pieces
Arthur Baggs evolved professionally over his thirty years at Marblehead Pottery. In later years he used glossy glazes with more “modern” colors.
Baggs Signatures
Arthur Baggs used several different signatures during his years at Marblehead Pottery. In some cases, a simple capital letter “B” was encircled. Other pieces bear the script AB or AEB. Some appear hand incised while others appear to be an impressed mark. Several signatures have small dots before, after or below the initials. In some cases, the year is included with his signature. Many pieces also include the “T” signature of Sarah Tutt signifying that she executed the decoration that Baggs had created. Does this mean that pieces with Baggs’ signature without the Tutt signature were designed and executed by Arthur Baggs?
