Niloak Pottery began in 1909 and was founded by Charles Dean “Bullet” Hyten and an Ohio potter named Arthur Dovey. The business was located in Benton, Arkansas. Although most think that Niloak was the name of the business, it was actually the Eagle Pottery Company. The name "niloak", marked on their wares, was derived from the type of high quality clay found in the Benton area called kaolin spelled backwards. The height of the company was during the 1920's and their offerings included artistic wares and utilitarian items such as churns, bowls and crocks. The most popular line of Niloak pottery was/is the swirled "Missionware". (picture below) After the great depression direction of the pottery leaned predominantly toward cast wares. During World War II the company produced more than a million clay pigeons a month for the U.S. military. After the war ended, they were unable to recover their earlier successes. All production ceased in 1947 and the company was dissolved.

Examples of Work

bullseye-pitcher

General Information and Websites

Although the Missionware Swirl pottery is the most collectible & valuable, I think that they turned out some other really cool pieces in their 37 years of creation. This is a company that I collect when I see wares that are aesthetically pleasing and reasonable in price. Of course I really don't know whether values for the less sought after works will increase substantially in the future or not but, I will have a number of their art pieces on my shelves regardless.

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Arkansas History - Niloak

Kovels Information

Antique Trader Article

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