Axel Ebring (1869 - 1954)
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Born in Uppsala Sweden, Axel Ebring immigrated to North America before settling near Terrace B.C. in the 1920s. Eventually he would move down to Notch Hill (just south of Sorrento) B.C. He used the training he had received from his father in Sweden to become the first pioneer production potter in British Columbia.
Notch Hill was a "whistle stop" on the C.P.R. railroad in those days - it was here that he found an easy market for his wares, selling them to travellers on the rails. When his clay supply was depleted after a decade or so he relocated to Vernon B.C. where he potted for the rest of his life. His work was sold all over western Canada and many examples of his work survive to this day. Axel Ebring passed away in 1954. If you have a piece of pottery by Axel Ebring you would like to sell, please click here. |
Axel Ebring's signature/marks
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The stories have been told that Axel Ebring had two "tiers" of customers. The well paying locals got the better and larger pieces. Small pieces of Ebring pottery tend to be more common compared to larger vases, etc. His work was primarily functional (ie: tableware) but he did complete some sculptural objects later in life as he aged. These are examples of the signatures you will see on his work. Pottery signed "Notch Hill" are the oldest, "Vernon BC" is the most common form of his signature and occasionally he would sign his name as well.
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