Two Desert Sands Pottery Candleholders

     This colorful pottery was known to be made for centuries in Japan as Neriage or Nerikomi pottery. In 1946, two businesses partner stated the Pinto Pottery Company making this pottery in the US. In 1949, the partnership had ended and the business was renamed to Desert Sands Pottery Company in which four family members operated the company until 1962 when one membered pass way. At this point, the Desert Sands Pottery Company’s doors were closed in Nevada. Two of the family members relocated in California and one stayed in Nevada and all three continued making the Desert Sands Pottery to sale. The Desert Sands Pottery Company name was relocated in California as well. Earlier pieces of Desert Sands Pottery are very similar to the pottery made by Eagle Pottery Company from 1910 to 1947. Which was sold from the Niloak Pottery Company from 1911 to 1918 and in 1928, the pottery was sold under the tradename "Niloak," which only had interior glazing in the pottery to make the pottery functionable. For years Collectors had turned up their noses at Desert Sands Pottery, assuming it was simply Niloak pottery. The Desert Sands Pottery was not considered as art pottery, but as souvenirs or trinkets pottery. However, today collectors are beginning to appreciate these pieces, which are becoming increasingly difficult to find. The Desert Sands Pottery Company started in 1950 and continued until 1975. Earlier Desert Sands Pottery pieces were made in Nevada while the later pieces were made in California. These candleholders are very rare and hard to fine if you can find them at all and to find a pair of candleholders is extremely rare. The bottoms of the candleholders have three unglazed spots, which was made by setting the candleholders on a rack when the pottery was being fired in the kiln. The hallmark on the bottom of the candleholders is under the glazed finish and is the words “Desert Sands Pottery” in a half circle with a line over the top of the words all in black. The candleholders are being sold as a pair. They are in mint condition with no cracks, chips, necks, scratches, fleabites, repairs, stains, wears-marks, and they have not been modified in anyway. In addition, it looks like they have never been used. However I personal know they wereCollec used a few times in the 50s at family gatherings at the dinner table.