The Figural Line of the Muncie Pottery

In 1926, Muncie Pottery and Consolidated Glass each contracted Reuben Haley to create a line based upon the Rene' Lalique art glass exhibited at the 1925 Paris International Exposition of Decorative and Industrial Arts. Haley designed two very similar lines; Muncie Pottery produced the Figural Line, and Consolidated created Martele.

There are only 5 known shapes in the Figural line based upon Lalique designs. They are shape 189 (The Goldfish Vase), shape 190 (The Lovebird Bowl), shape 193 (The Lovebird Vase), shape 194 (The Katydid Vase), and a lamp base known as the Dancing Nudes Lamp (No catalog number known). The other shapes of this line represent more abstract organic forms, generally reminiscent of melons or gourds. These shapes are accompanied by appropriate candlesticks.

Shape 190 (The Lovebirds Bowl) was discontinued almost immediately because of constant glaze application issues as well as hairline cracks during firing. Only a handful are known to exist.

These pieces come in a wide variety of glazes, including both Matte and Bright, in both single and in multiple colors.

In the 1930's, Stangl Pottery created lamp bases that were duplicates of Rene' Lalique designs. These include the Archers Vase, Perruches (lovebirds) vase, and others. These vases are often erroneously identified as Muncie Pottery, but they have been positively identified as Stangl products. The Muncie vases are flattened pillow vases, whereas the Stangl lamp bases are more spherical and symmetrical. There is some ancillary evidence to suggest that these Stangl Lamp bases were designed by Reuben Haley.

Below are images of the Figural Line.