1940s Kaye of Hollywood California Pottery Figural Planters Pair, Models 351 & 403

A spectacular pair of 1940s Kaye of Hollywood California pottery figural planters, each designed as a stylized female folk dancer emerging from an expansive sculptural bowl.

These are exceptionally decorative examples of mid-century California art pottery, with sweeping silhouettes, hand-painted costumes, applied lace-like head coverings, floral sleeve details, and soft blush-pink vessel forms. One dancer wears a pale yellow skirt with deep green accents, while the companion figure features a rich green skirt with chartreuse, pink, yellow, and black striping.

Both pieces are hand-marked by Kaye, with visible model numbers 351 and 403. Model 351 also retains its original period foil label reading:

Dorette Saltzman Products
Los Angeles 5
California

The surviving Los Angeles postal-zone label is a wonderful period detail and further supports the early-to-mid-century California provenance.

The figures are substantial in scale and highly sculptural, functioning beautifully as figural planters, decorative bowls, or standalone art objects. Their dramatic profiles, expressive hand-painted faces, textured bowl exteriors, and theatrical folk-inspired styling make them especially striking displayed together.

Perfect for a collector of California pottery, Hollywood ceramics, mid-century figural art, vintage planters, or unusual sculptural décor.

A truly distinctive pair with enormous Eclectic Whimsy appeal.

Details

Maker: Kaye / Kaye of Hollywood

Origin: California, USA

Estimated Era: 1940s

Model Numbers: 351 and 403

Material: Glazed ceramic / California art pottery

Style: Mid-Century, California Pottery, Figural, Folk Art Inspired, Hollywood Decor

Function: Figural Planters / Sculptural Bowls

Weight: 5.76 lbs total

Approximate Measurements: 10.5" x 10" x 9.5"

Markings: Hand-marked Kaye with model numbers 351 and 403

Label: Original Dorette Saltzman Products, Los Angeles 5, California foil label on model 351

Condition

Very good vintage condition with age-appropriate glaze crazing and light surface wear consistent with age.

The hand-painted decoration remains vibrant, and the applied lace-textured head coverings retain wonderful visual detail.

The original Dorette Saltzman foil label shows expected age and wear and has been preserved in place.

Please review all photographs closely, as they form part of the condition description.

Eclectic Whimsy Style Note

These pieces are pure theatrical vintage charm — feminine, sculptural, colorful, and wonderfully unexpected. The exaggerated bowl forms and graceful dancers make them feel as much like decorative sculpture as functional pottery.

They would be exceptional styled on a console, cocktail table, bar cabinet, mantel, or layered into a maximalist collection.