A Biography of Reuben Haley (1872-1933)

Reuben Haley was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1872, and is well known for his contributions as a glass designer, metal smith, and sculptor of ceramics. His education and experience remains unknown, and the author has had no success with attempts to locate any photographic images of him. However, the February 16, 1910 issue of The Pottery and Glass Salesman lists him as the president of the Metal Products Company in Beaver, Pennsylvania, which has no known relationship with pottery or glass. In the Industrial Directory of Pennsylvania, Volume 2 from 1916 they are listed as having 30 employees and dealing with iron and steel. In a June 26, 1919 advertisement in Iron Age Volume 103 they lay claim manufacturing metal parts, machining, forging, heat treating, and assembling. It is not known how long Haley retained his relationship with that particular company.

It is known that in 1911 Haley performed services for U.S. Glass, rising to the position of chief designer. He applied for multiple design patents during this period with U.S Glass being the assignee. Haley resigned from his post as U.S. Glass in 1925. The catalyst for the resignation is often reported as a direct result of his attendance at the Paris International Exposition of Moderne Decorative and Industrial Arts. It was there that he was first exposed to the originality of works by artists such as Rene Lalique. What becomes confusing are reports that he then started a new business called Metal Products Company in a space rented from the Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Clearly there are missing facts and data surrounding these reports, Metal Products Company had already existed since at least 1910.

Reuben Haley art deco inspired designs reach the market almost immediately, in the January 1926 Glass and Ceramics Trade Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Produced by the Fulper Pottery Company of New Jersey, The Square Modern line had angled, layered shapes showing the influence of contemporary Czech ceramics and cubism. Representatives from both the Muncie Potteries and Consolidated Glass were in attendance, and both quickly signed contracts for Haley to develop new product designs.

By late 1926, both the Consolidated Glass Company and the Muncie Potteries Company were both collaborating with Haley for 3 similar lines of glass and pottery based upon art deco designs. in 1926 Consolidated Glass produced Martele, Muncie produced Figural, both of which were very similar in style to Rene Lalique. in 1927 Consolidated released Catalonian, and Muncie produced Spanish, both based upon early traditional Spanish forms. Then, in 1928, Consolidated created Ruba Rombic, and Muncie Potteries produced Rombic, both amazing cubist renditions. Neither appears to have preceded the others, they seem to emerge on the marketplace simultaneously and complimentary in design. Haley applied for and was granted patents for 3 glass designs that are obvious Ruba Rombic designs: a plate, a vase, and a bottle, with Consolidated Lamps and Glass Company as the assignee. No records exist of any ceramic patents.

The great depression halted all of the Haley lines at both Consolidated and Muncie in 1932. It has been suggested that Reuben Haley did some work for Phoenix glass and Stangl Pottery prior to his death in 1933, but that is so far just conjecture.

The legacy of Reuben Haley reaches far into the American arts movements of the art deco period, and indeed represents the first such pottery and glass produced in the United States. It is regrettable that so little is known about the man, with only his art to remind us of his accomplishments.