Ben Owen Pottery

We have been collecting NC pottery for decades, and the trio of Ben Owens, Sr., Jr. and III are as excellent as Seagrove Pottery gets, which ranks among the great ceramic works areas in the nation. Ben Owens III both continues the traditions of his father and grandfather, and extends them into new directions.
His work is clean and classic, no kitsch or goofy stuff. The materials are excellent, the surfaces glazed in many shades and textures, including a creamy white which looks like melted icing and a brilliant Chinese red. Not all can be used for vases or food service, but they are such extraordinary works of craftsmanship that they serve as art objects in their own right. We drove back from a wedding in Greenville SC towards Durham, and made a 60-​mile digression to Ben’s showroom, attached to the old log cabin that was his grandfather’s showroom two generations ago.
Ben himself came out to talk with us about his newest mixtures of colors and textures, the restoration of one of the old kilns, and the next generation of clay-​makers. (He has a son, Ben IV, called Ivey. Ivey is only 10 — but there’s hope for him yet!)
We have a Ben Owens Si vase, and a number of pieces from Ben Jr. We added pieces for ourselves, and two perfect wedding presents, unique and beautiful and unforgettable.

If you want to see an artist craft that is over 150 years old, then Seagrove is the town you need to visit and Ben Owen pottery is the place you can see it still happening.
The multi-​generational pottery family has been creating art for more than a century… going on 2!
Working with the red clay that so many of us in North Carolina are familar with… and sometimes curse… it creates some of the most elegant pieces of work anyone would be in awe.
If you visit, they have a little museum on the left side of the main building and they have their kilns in the back. Very lovely pieces and many that are affordable.
If you want to see, experience, and purchase a living North Carolina landmark visit this place.