Niloak Pottery Castware

Niloak's transition from hand-thrown products to slip-cast and mold-pressed production was completed in 1932 by Stoin M. Stoin before he left for Burley Winter Pottery. From 1932 until 1937 the 62 Hywood shapes were the sole focus of production. These pieces were marked simply as "Niloak" beginning in 1937. In 1939, new shapes were added that included recessed bottoms. This allowed them to be glazed on the underside.

The first of these new forms were mostly vases, but the production of novelty planters soon became the best sellers. Collector demand for figural planters has been strong for many years, especially for examples with strong mold details.

After America entered World War II in 1943, many of the ingredients used by Niloak for their glazes became restricted as they were needed for the war effort. Niloak reformulated all of their glazes, and even their clay formula was modified. Some small cold-paint details were added to a few of the figural pieces, and these are considered highly collectible.

After the war, regular production resumed. New bright glazes were formulated and used on cast-ware, mostly lighter colors of pink, blue, green, and ivory.

During 1946 and 1947, some attempts at over-glaze and under-glaze hand-decorations were undertaken, but were not commercially viable and few examples remain. By the close of 1947 the company was liquidated and all production ceased.