Training to Make Stoneware

The items found in the photos here were all small animal sculptures (lamb, bear and duck) created by Vennia (Vennie) Cornett at Iron Mountain Stoneware in Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee between the years 1965 and 1968.  The pieces all are original one-of-a-kind pieces.  They were modeled by hand.
Venie was one of Iron Mountain's original forty-five trainees in 1965.  During a six week program the trainees worked with clay to learn its characteristics and limitations.  They modeled various animals, figures, birdhouses, and other forms from their imagination.  The objects were glazed and fired.
From this group the first sixteen employees were selected, and Vennie was included.  Her stoneware creations captured the interest of buyers, and Vennie continued to make the small sculptures in additon to her factory work.  The textured frog was made by  Desmal Johnson--another of the Iron Mountain employees.
The lamb is glazed in Ice, the duck is an early version of Pond Mountain, named Lichen, and the bear is glazed in Roan Mountain. The frog also appears to be in Roan Mountain.  Two of these sculptures, the lamb and bear, are being sold on eBay this week with a copy of a certificate of authenticity from Nancy Lamb.

Figurines - lamb, bear, frog, and duck

Note the IMS mark on all but one--the lamb

Rachel's Garden 'Married' Piece?

'Married' cup and vase piece

During the first group gathering of the Iron Mountain Stoneware fans this past December, one member brought an unusual piece which Nancy verified as Rachel's Garden.  The piece was 'married' (joining two pieces together to make a separate and different shape) from two other shapes being used by the stoneware company--an upside down candleholder and a lamp bottom. The glazing is beautiful on this one and it is very unusual.  Nancy was the only artist who did the glazing of this pattern due to its intricate design.  However there is no IMS stamp on the bottom--only the initial LD which stood for Iron Mountain employee, Lila Dunn,  and the numbers 88. If you are curious about the separate shapes, check out the pricelist tab on the blog to see the silhouette of the lamp, #2000.

Side view os 'married' vase

Bottom markings on vase