Gordon and Jane Martz were prominent designers and creators of simple, elegant, handcrafted ceramic goods. Their vintage mid-century modern designs for table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers and pendants are daring but relaxed and make for versatile additions to any space.
Jane Martz’s grandmother established the family-owned American lampshades company Marshall Studios in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1922. Jessie “Muz” Marshall produced hand-painted lampshades out of her home, then expanded to include lamp bases made of wood. The business later moved to Veedersburg. After studying at New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Gordon and Jane joined the company in the early 1950s and stepped in to run Marshall Studios after it had been managed by Jane’s parents. Gordon and Jane instilled the brand with fresh energy and new ideas. They introduced innovative modernist stoneware lamps, decorative accessories and more that became immediately popular with new homeowners of the era. Later, there was a return to lamp bases made solely of wood, and floor lamps, bookends and tables with tile tops appeared in the company catalogs.
The Marshall Studios M101 lamp was featured in the Museum of Modern Art’s “Good Design” exhibit in 1953, which also featured the work of other mid-century luminaries such as Jens Risom, Paul McCobb, George Nelson and more.
Gordon and Jane explored color and texture at the company during the 1950s and ‘60s and continued the rich legacy of craftsmanship for which Marshall Studios had become known. The manufacturer secured government contracts and their works were featured in Interiors magazine. Etchings and other decoration continued to be done by hand, and Jane eventually also took an interest in the fabric and textiles used to hand-cover the paper shades, producing a complementary line of hand-woven pillows and other goods.
Find vintage Gordon and Jane Martz lighting, tables and ceramics on 1stDibs.
Jane and Gordon Martz Ceramic Tile and Walnut Bookends for Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Chicago, IL
These ceramic tile and walnut bookends were designed and made by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. The rectangular forms are softened by the loose brush strokes in the glaz...
Walnut, Ceramic
Jane and Gordon Martz Tray/ Dish for Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A stunning tray or dish designed by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Features a matte greenish grey body with incisions and decorations. Great colors, glaze, and freeform ...
Ceramic
$204Sale Price|50% Off
H 0.99 in W 10.04 in D 3.71 in
Decorative Handmade Organic Studio Pottery Glazed Ceramic Dish or Vide-Poche
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful handmade ceramic dish or vide-poche by unknown studio potter / maker with an organic oval form and hand painted glaze of cream and dark grey / blue color (color). Would be perfect for serving nuts or other little bar snacks...
Ceramic, Pottery
$375 / set
H 7.5 in W 5 in D 4.5 in
Oak and Ceramic Bookends by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios
Located in Round Rock, TX
Beautiful pair of bookends by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios, circa 1960s. These bookends are made from oak and feature a beautiful matte black ceramic in a spiral pa...
Ceramic, Oak
Tea Pot by Gordon and Jane Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The Gordon and Jane Martz ceramic tea pot is a stunning piece of functional art that seamlessly combines form and function. Handcrafted by the renowned American ceramicists, Gordon a...
Ceramic
$2,800 / set
H 5.5 in W 4.25 in D 2.88 in
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor Bookends, Ceramic, Blue, Green, Signed, 1960s
By Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor Bookends, Ceramic, Blue, Green, Signed, 1960s. Small scale stacked, rectangular form, bookends from Aldo Londi's Cordova decor series. Each bookend is g...
Ceramic
Don Shoemaker Bookends for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at The Fine Arts Institution of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his family and settled in Santa Maria de Guido...
Hardwood
"For Rachel" Tray
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
'For Rachel' tray in cream Hand-sculpted ceramic tray with hand made rectangle shaped elements. This large sized tray is finished with a bespoke cream glaze that reveals the natural...
Ceramic
$350 / set
H 7.19 in W 5 in D 4.25 in
Mcm Jane & Gordon Martz Walnut & White Tile Bookends for Marshall Studios 1960s
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut bookends with vertical white inset tiles by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios on brass bases. Very nice original condition.
Brass
Ben Seibel Bookends for Jenfred-Ware
By Ben Seibel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ben Seibel design copper plated bookends for Jenfred-Ware, U.S.A.
Copper
$2,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.75 in W 6 in D 3.25 in
"Child Knights, " Very Rare Set of Art Deco Bookends by Henry Richards Tile Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Enrobed in a delicious, rich caramel glaze, this set of whimsical yet dignified bookends depict a child knight, complete with helmet and shield, astride a donkey. The donkey is show...
Ceramic
$340Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.5 in W 8.5 in D 5.25 in
Pair of MCM Ceramic Tile and Walnut Bookends by Jane & Gordon Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of MCM ceramic tile and walnut bookends by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios, circa 1950s. The bookends are in very good vintage condtion and measure 8.5"W x 5"D x...
Pottery, Walnut
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Buddha Bookends
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of bronze bookends featuring Buddha By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.75"W x 5.5"D x 6"H. Good original vintage condition, ...
Bronze
$260Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
American Eagle Ceramic Bookends Faux Wood Finish
By Sarreid Ltd.
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare sculpture ceramic eagle bookends Beautiful faux wood finish with a rustic cerused whitewash. Books are not included. Versatile design ...
Ceramic
Jane and Gordon Martz Marshall Studio Pottery Charger
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Pottery charger plate in cream and brown by artist Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios. Executed in the 1950’s this piece measures 13” in diameter and 1.5” high. BIOGRAPHY ...
Pottery
Gordon and Jane Martz Walnut & Ceramic Bookends for Marshall Studios
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Gordon and Jane Martz walnut & ceramic bookends for Marshall Studios circa 1965.
Steel
Gordon & Jane Martz for Marshall Studios Walnut and Tile Bookends
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Denton, TX
Solid walnut with circular inlaid tiles make for a stunning pair of bookends.
Ceramic, Wood
Ceramic and Walnut Lamps by Gordon and Jane Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of incised ceramic and walnut lamps, made by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios, circa 1960s. Signed on the back. They retain their original walnut finials. Rewired and ...
Ceramic, Walnut
Sold
H 44 in Dm 19 in
Massive Modernist Ceramic Table Lamp by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Southampton, NJ
Monumental ceramic studio-made ceramic and teak lamp designed by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios, circa 1965. Original teak finial is present. The lamp base is signed. N...
Ceramic, Wood, Teak
Pair of Martz Ceramic Lamps
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in NYC, NY
A pair of black Marshall studio/Martz ceramic lamps with pear shaped bases and tapered columns and the original wood finials, signed Martz.
Ceramic
Gordon & Jane Martz Studio Pottery Vase, 1953
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome modernist design. Made with a wonderful monochromatic glaze technique. Signed on the bottom "Martz 1953." No chips, cracks or repairs.
Ceramic