ADCO pottery

21 juni 2003 - 1 februari 2004

Between 1919 and 1976, the Groningen pottery factory ADCO produced surprisingly attractive vases and jugs in characteristic colours. In the period 1920-1950, almost every household in the Netherlands had the erstwhile modern ADCO pottery. It fitted ideally into interiors with Art Deco influences. In the 1930s, Art Deco formed an innovative style in which the building industry and applied art both evolved their own specific character. In the Netherlands, the Amsterdam School of architecture was an example of Art Deco.

In 1919, the brothers Limborgh Meyer took over a small pottery and moved it to their brickworks. After some time, the name Groninger Steenfabriek was changed to ADCO Pottery, called after Ada and Coco, the two daughters of G.C. Limborgh, the managing director.
Initially, the factory turned out rather coarse pottery but a gradual change took place, with the emphasis coming to lie on more luxurious products such as vases, jugs, and flowerpots, which reaped much success. Skilled ceramic workers were attracted from Germany, the Czech Republic and Hungary to boost both the technical and the artistic aspects of the assortment. By partly mechanising production and by setting up a good sales network, ADCO was able to market large quantities of modern ceramics at low prices.

New models were developed in the 1950s, and the company enjoyed a fresh period of success. However, marketing problems began to appear in the 1960s with the advent of national and international competition. In 1976, after co-operation with and a take over by Porseleyne Fles of Delft, bankruptcy turned out to be unavoidable, bringing an end to ADCO production.

The Groninger Museum now presents a selection of ADCO vases and jugs with their characteristic colours and shapes. A large part of the exhibition consists of items on loan. Much attention is devoted to photographs, drawings, and information on the production and the models used. The ADCO exhibition confronts the viewer with genuine Groningen design, which could be found in all households. These objects are certainly worth examination in a modern context.