Maddux of California

Harry William Maddux's career in ceramics began sometime in the late '30s. He ultimately founded this now-famous Los Angeles pottery maker, which became one of the most prolific of the TV lamp manufacturers. While sales during the import-restricted days of World War II were brisk, post-war times proved tough financially, and Maddux sold the plant and the Maddux name in 1949. "Pre-sale" items are typically marked "Wm. Maddux" or "William Maddux", whereas items produced with the "Maddux of California" marking were produced by various makers after the sale. (All Maddux TV lamps were produced after the sale) In 1951 William founded Rembrant Pottery, which closed its doors in 1957. The Maddux name stayed in use, without any family affiliation, until 1980. Thanks go to Bob Maddux (son of pottery founder William Maddux) for helping identify TV lamps as well as permission to post his Maddux of California catalog pages.
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	value:  rarity: Produced in several colors, this Maddux planter/lamp isn't as collectible as a figural lamp, but is an elegant example of '50s style all the same. Maddux called this one the "Starlite Crescent Gleam TV Lamp", and was available in pink, white, turquoise, green, black or chartreuse.
	This page from the 1958 Maddux catalog showcases their planter/lamps. Photo courtesy of Bob Maddux.
	value:  rarity: Referred to in the catalog above as the "Starlite TV Planter Lamp", this example lacks the airbrushed shading that is shown in the catalog photo. This must be the color they referred to as salmon, although it lacks the pinkish quality that the name would imply. The '58 catalog states that these went for the princely sum of $27 per dozen!
	value:  rarity: Here's an unusual variation on the "planter on a brass base" theme, with two small ceramic planters on either side of the lamp.
	The back of each planter is marked, No. 303w MADDUX of CALIFORNIA.
	value:  rarity: Quite common, this swan is an affordable, attractive TV lamp. It is sometimes found with coloration (blue or brown) on the base.
	Here's the Maddux swan with the base done in blue. Photo courtesy of an eBayer seller from Indiana.
	This page from the 1960 Maddux catalog illustrates several TV lamps with a bird theme, including the swan seen above. I'd sure like to have one of those Pheasants! Catalog photo courtesy of Bob Maddux.
	value:  rarity: Referred to in a 1960 Maddux catalog (above) as a "Double Duck Accent Lamp", it's interesting that the term "TV lamp" wasn't used in this case. These ducks posing on a branch are in a style reminiscent of another Maddux, one depicting two swan. It's an attractive and rare TV lamp. Photo courtesy of Woodland Trace Collectibles/Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	value:  rarity: It seems that everyone had to make an airbrushed mallard duck, and this Maddux example was extremely popular. Maddux sold these to retailers for $36 per dozen. Yep, that's $3 each! The small mallard is mounted on a brass base.
	The mallard is marked, MADDUX of CALIF. made in USA.
	The mallard shown above appears at the top of this 1958 Maddux catalog page. Photo courtesy of Bob Maddux.
	value:  rarity: Also seen in the catalog above is this pheasant TV lamp, featuring "Natures own magnificent colorings."
	value:  rarity: I always suspected this pretty little duck was by Maddux, and that attribution was recently confirmed on Bob Maddux's website. This one is unmarked.
	value:  rarity: While unmarked, this one is yet another mallard TV lamp by Maddux of California.
	This is the same mallard as viewed from the back.
	value:  rarity: This Maddux Mallard is considerably less common than the others, and a bit different in design than the many other Mallard TV lamps. Photos courtesy of Patricia Allen.
	Here's a look at the Maddux label on the Mallard.
	Here's the mallard shown above as it appeared on the back of the Maddux catalog of 1960. Photo courtesy of Bob Maddux.
	value:  rarity: The marketplace had a voracious appetite for mallard lamps, and Maddux (and others) were only too happy to meet the demand. Photos courtesy of Kim Gayheart of Nicholasville, Kentucky.
	Back view of the mallard.
	value:  rarity: Here's a beautiful Maddux design that was obviously the work of a master sculptor. Such asian motifs were commonplace, but seldom were they done with such elegance. Photos courtesy of eBay seller almeriadit.
	Details show the care with which this TV lamp was designed.
	Back view. It is marked 840 Maddux of Calif., Made in USA, 21855-M, but no date is provided.
	value:  rarity: Clearly related to the design shown above, this Maddux TV lamp was called the #851 Quan Yin Head.  Photos courtesy of eBay seller rmelera.
	Back view.  The "Quan Yin Head" is 14½" tall.
	Side view.  The white glaze on this lamp was called White Crackle.
	It is marked Maddux of Calif. 851 ©59 Made in USA on the bottom.
	value:  rarity: This one is a curious example as it's dated 1970, roughly ten years after most TV lamp production had ceased. It's possible that it wasn't marketed as a TV lamp, but rather a night-light for a child's room. Photo courtesy of Woodland Trace Collectibles/Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	value:  rarity: This beautiful off-white abstraction by Maddux has gold, green and pink coloration which are better seen in close-up. Rather large at 12" tall, this uncommon lamp/planter would make a fine addition to anyone's collection. Photos courtesy of Janet Giliberty, St. Petersburg, FL.
	Same design as the Maddux above, this one wears a different finish. Nice! Photos courtesy of eBay seller gwsru2.
	Back view.
	Here's a close-up of the lovely airbrushed glaze.
	value:  rarity: This cute Basset Hound shows the wide variety of styles that Maddux produced. Photos courtesy of Pioneer Square Antique Mall - Seattle, WA.
	Here's a look at the label on the Basset TV lamp.
	value:  rarity: Very similar to the more common horse (and clearly sculpted by the same hand), this Maddux deer is attractive and rare. Maddux called it the #818 Deer Accent Lamp. Photo courtesy of a collector from Ohio.
	value:  rarity: Also found with airbrushed color, this #810 Stallion Accent Lamp looks especially nice in white.
	Maddux would often have a specific "Maddux" label, but in this case simply added their name to the Underwriter's Laboratories label.
	The white horse shown above is seen (with airbrushed color) in the 1960 Maddux catalog. It's interesting to note that the catalog refers to these as "accent lamps". Photo courtesy of Bob Maddux.
	value:  rarity: While stylistically similar to the previous horse, this design is much less common.
	Back view of Maddux's jumping horse TV lamp.
	Maddux marking.
	value:  rarity: Another horse TV lamp from Maddux of California. This one, most likely an early design, shares little stylistically with their other products. I wonder if the designer was the same person that did the Hollywood Ceramics lamps, as they are very similar. Photos courtesy of eBay seller, dadwarbucks.
	The back is marked, Maddux of Calif, Made in USA, E 21855 M, 85 S.
	value:  rarity: Here's another odd-ball from Maddux, a design with little stylistic similarity to their other products. The fanciful horse is vaguely similar to the seahorse by Jarra Ceramics.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: I believe we've definitely crossed the bounds of good taste with this one! One of the strangest TV lamps I've seen, it in no way resembles any other designs from Maddux. (Or anyone else, for that matter) It is orange with brown lightly scrubbed over it in an "antiqued" fashion, and a red plastic shade to diffuse the light. Bizarre, and I love it! Photos courtesy of Jared's Antiques, Fine Art, and Collectibles, Endicott, NY.
	From the back you get a better view of the red shade, as well as the Maddux label. While fiberglass shades were commonly used, plastic is quite unusual. The shade on this lamp appears to be original, as I've seen other examples of this lamp with the same red plastic used.
	value:  rarity: Not a typical subject for Maddux (or anyone else), these latin dancers make for a nice TV lamp! Photo courtesy of Woodland Trace Collectibles/Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	Another view of the Maddux dancers.
	value:  rarity: Not too many Quail TV lamps around! Maddux gave the subject a nice treatment. This is one that you're not apt to come across very often. Photos courtesy of Woodland Trace Collectibles/Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	Another look at the Maddux Quail lamp.
	value:  rarity: This Maddux rooster/chicken TV lamp is rare and very collectible. Photos courtesy of Jane Reding from Montgomery, Alabama.
	A look at the back of the Maddux rooster/chicken lamp. It is marked with the year 1958.
	value:  rarity: Tiny Maddux Fawn uses a bulb similar to those found on old decorative Christmas lighting. Photos courtesy of Woodland Trace Collectibles/Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: This wagon looks a little out of place when compared to the rest of the Maddux line, but it no doubt was suitable competition for other TV lamps with a similar theme. Photo courtesy of a donation from Clifton, Colorado.
	value:  rarity: The Mt. Rushmore TV lamp from Maddux is one of their little-known products. Photos courtesy of Jim Semonchik of Batavia, Illinois.
	Back view of the Maddux Mt. Rushmore TV lamp.
	As indicated by the marking on the back, the Mt. Rushmore TV lamp was made by Maddux of California, and sculpted by renowned artist Carl Romanelli. Romanelli is known for many publicly displayed sculptures as well as his extensive design work with Metlox. It is a faithful reproduction of the Gutzon Borglum original, located in South Dakota. Quite a pedigree for a humble TV lamp!
	value:  rarity: Although they seldom used western themes, Maddux tackled the subject with originality, achieving great results. The designer, who is unknown, sculpted this piece with great attention to detail.
	Back view of the Maddux saddle lamp. The faux-wood finish is reminiscent of many Treasure Craft pieces.
	Rather than placing the Maddux marking behind the bulb, this one was marked on the bottom.
	value:  rarity: When does a TV lamp become a nite-lite? I suspect that Maddux of California marketed this "Little Bo-Peep" lamp as lighting for a child's room, as it would be decidedly odd if placed on a television!
	Back view of Maddux's Bo-Peep lamp. The foil Maddux label is faintly visible below the socket.
	value:  rarity: This Maddux rooster has an unusual orange glaze, with traces of gray showing through the transparent orange.
	Back view of the Maddux rooster.
	A "Maddux of Calif" marking can be found on the bottom, along with USA.
	value:  rarity: This planter/TV lamp was called the model 3950 Candle Light, but was also referred to as the Flower and Butterfly Planter Ring Lamp. Go figure. Whatever the name, it's a distinctive and attractive design. Photos courtesy of Global Auctions/Roger & Liz Erwin.
	The cylindrical fiberglass shade is nicely decorated.
	This is a look at one of the nice details on the fiberglass shade.
	From the bottom one can see the complete framework of metal of this lamp.
	Here's the model 3950 as it appears in the 1958 Maddux catalog. Photo courtesy of Bob Maddux.
	value:  rarity: This ship TV lamp by Maddux of California is reminiscent of similar lamps made of cast iron. Photos courtesy of Mike from MAJENT.
	Another view of Maddux's ship.
	The marking on the back of the ship is in a scripted style, unlike the block letters typically used by Maddux.
	Maddux of California took a page from Helmscene's book with this religious picture lamp. The 1960 catalog sheet shown here describes the three images that were available. Photo courtesy of Bob Maddux.
	value:  rarity: Here's the Maddux picture lamp with the Prince of Peace image in place. Photos courtesy of Rick from the Pacific Northwest.
	Illuminated.
	The bottom shows the Maddux markings, and clearly shows the matte brown finish that Maddux often used in later years.
	A close-up of the image itself.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: While Maddux of California didn't produce Siamese Cat TV lamps in the volume of the competition, their "single-cat" lamp is one of the most collectible. There's has distinctly cartoon-like facial features, and was undoubtedly intended to give it an "oriental" look. Photos courtesy of Judy from Kunkletown, Pennsylvania.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: The Maddux single-cat TV lamp is rare, but this variation of it is crazy rare! Based on the same design, it has been reworked, "customized" if you will, with additional modeling. Even the eyes have been changed! Awesome. Photos courtesy of Barb Webber.
	The whimsical decoration added to these cats is amazing. I don't know all the colors that were produced, but I've also found it in green.
	Back view.
	Flower power? Whereas the original single-cat has definite roots in the '50s, these variations have 1967 written all over them!
	value:  rarity: Given the cute-kitty motif and tiny "Christmas bulb" electrics, Maddux of California undoubtedly intended this lamp to be used as a night light. Photos courtesy of Peggy.
	Back view. No date is present on this Maddux design, as was their habit in later years.
	Is it just me, or could this cat also pass for a dog, or even a lamb?
	The tiny bulb still gets the job done.
	The Maddux cat shown above looks enough like a dog that I wondered if it was a cat at all, but then I saw this lamp. This one is definitely a dog, so the previous lamp must be a cat! Photo courtesy of Don from Carrollton, Texas.
	value:  rarity: As with the Mt. Rushmore TV lamp, this unassuming Maddux of California Fish TV lamp was designed by the renowned sculptor Carl Romanelli. Photo courtesy of George Martin from Little Valley, New York.
	The Romanelli marking is on the back.
	value:  rarity: Looking rather like something from a Merrill Lynch advert, this Maddux bull is a fine piece of sculpture. Photos courtesy of Ron from Caldwell, Idaho.
	Back view.
	The bull is clearly marked on the back.
	value:  rarity: The Maddux of California Cockatoo TV lamp is beautifully sculpted! Photos courtesy of R.L. Rising of Rising Sky Artworks.
	value:  rarity: A theme also used by Lane & Co., this rare Maddux of California Boy on a Dolphin TV lamp is finished in a glaze with an antique bronze look. Photos courtesy of Chris from Ashton, Illinois.
	Another angle.
	Back view.
	While TV lamps are generally considered to date from the '50s, this Maddux is clearly marked © 1966.
	It looks particularly nice when seen in silhouette.
	value:  rarity: I must confess that this is the first example of this Maddux TV lamp I've seen...I need one of these! Photos courtesy of Janice from Canada.
	Back view of the Maddux ship lamp. The only reference to the maker is on the UL label, which reads: UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC INSPECTED PORTABLE LAMP ISSUE 42152 MADDUX OF CALIFORNIA.
	value:  rarity: Seldom did Maddux of California fail to place the company name on their products, but that is the case with this colorful flamingo planter/lamp. Photos courtesy of eBay seller rustydans.
	Side view of the Maddux flamingo lamp. Maddux produced a number of flamingo designs, many being small figurines that are prized by collectors.
	Back view. The light fixture is missing on this example.
	The Maddux name absent from the lamp, it is marked simply, Made in USA #11 E-21855.
	The flamingo featured prominently in the 1958 Maddux catalog, reproduced here with the kind permission of Bob Maddux.
	value:  rarity: A rare and unusual lamp, this design from Maddux of California emulates the look of a classical vase. (And also looks vaguely like a rocket ship!) Photos courtesy of eBay seller, bisbee_az.
	Back view. The red/orange glaze is a stand-out!
	One more look.

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