A fabulous set of 3 "Strip Tease- Eye Appeal" ceramic barware mugs by Dorothy Kindell, circa 1940s. This hard-to-find set (black and green dress) shows a beautiful woman in various stages of undress, including topless, almost naked, and partially clothed
Dorothy Kindell Studios of California produced this line of "Strip Tease" or, as they were officially known, "Eye Appeal Barware". Today, Dorothy is familiar to many as "The Naughty Potter" because of the pottery line she developed. This barware featured nude or stripping ladies as the handle design. Dorothy Kindell’s work is considered the "holy grail" of naughty barware. She originally began her studio during wartime after supplies for her husband’s plumbing business were diverted for the war effort. However, Dorothy’s combination of boundary-pushing designs and a good head for business blossomed into a mini-empire in no time at all, so successful in fact that she was able to retire to a horse ranch by the late 50s.
Almost the entirety of Dorothy’s history was clouded in mystery until an L.A. Magazine article was published in 2010, revealing a great deal of her past; thanks to the efforts of author Christa Faust and, oddly, former Go-Go’s singer Jane Wiedlin.
Measurements: 6.25" Tall X 5" Wide x 3.5" Deep
United States, 1950
