Carol Janeway Papers

Carol Janeway (1913-1989), born Caroline Bacon Rindsfoos, was an America ceramicist and pottery maker. She was born in Brooklyn, NY and received her education from Ohio State University and Cornell University. Before focusing on her ceramics work, Janeway had stints in several careers including being a reporter and lithographer in Russia, a fashion model in Paris, and a model and television actress in London.

From 1942 to 1949, Georg Jensen Inc. sold and featured Janeway’s ceramics in its sales catalogues. She created trays, tiles, door knobs, plates, tea sets and more. A chess set by Janeway was featured in a 1944 surrealist exhibition at the Julien Levy Gallery titled, “Imagery of Chess.” She only one of two women featured in the 32 artist exhibition. In 1948, she was the first American designer to be commissioned by Josiah Wedgewood for the design of 12 dinner plates. Her work is known for their brightness and clarity in color.

Janeway was also an active writer and contributed articles to publications such as McCall’s, The American Home, and the Villager. In 1950, she published a book titled “Ceramics and Potterymaking for Everyone,” in which she invited and instructed beginners to understand the methods and techniques of ceramics and pottery making. Her desire to teach others about ceramics was also evident by her time volunteering at the Women’s House of Detention in New York City, where she taught ceramics classes two times a week during the 1960s.