Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP

Teapot

USA, 1900
Jean and Paul Adams Collection
Date acquired:
Materials:
Stoneware
Form - Functional: N/A
Form - Sculptural: N/A
Method:
Thrown
Surface Technique: N/A
Kiln Type:
Wood Kiln
Glazes:
Glaze
Will Ruggles

Will Ruggles, along with Douglass Rankin, made a wide line of functional, wood-fired pottery: tall jars, pitchers, platters, plates, teapots, cups, rice bowls and serving bowls.

The pots are wheel thrown or drape molded with simple decorations: sometimes plain brushwork with slip, and once-fired glazes.

Will Ruggles and Douglass Rankin co-owned and operated Rock Creek Pottery in North Carolina for many years. Their pots are influenced by the Hamada-Leach-Yanagi tradition in aesthetics and production methods, which were introduced to them by Randy Johnston, who had studied in Japan.

In addition to being well known for their pottery, Ruggles and Rankin held instructional workshops on kiln building, advising and helping many potters and institutions.

As of June 2017, The Marks Project is not aware that Ruggles and Rankin are producing any pottery.

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Jean and Paul Adams Collection

Ruggles in other collections

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Note:

These records have been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

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