Adolf Dehn (American, 1895 - 1968)
Considered one of the ablest lithographers of his time, Dehn was published in several German and American magazines (Jugend, Vanity Fair, The Dial, Masses, the New Yorker, et al) and he made lithographs for the Graphic Arts Division of the WPA Federal Arts Project in New York City. His favored subject matter was landscape, caricature, and figure studies. His work was included in the "AIGA Fifty Prints of the Year" in 1929, '30, '31, '32, '33, '34, '35, and '36 and today his work is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New York Public Library, and The Whitney Museum, among others. He was represented by various New York City galleries, including a long association with the historic Associated American Artists Gallery, originally on Fifth Avenue, then on 57th Street. It was this gallery, under the directorship of Reeves Lewenthal, that sought to represent its stable of notable, fine artists in several of the decorative arts, including fabric design and ceramic painting. The gallery produced pottery under the Stonelain label from the early 1940's to circa 1952, featuring work from some of the foremost artists of the day, including, Thomas Hart Benton, Georges Schrieber, Gwen Lux, Alexander Archipenko, Joseph Hirsh, Carl Walters, Jo Davidson, et al, with master potters William Soini and Frances Server handling the technical end of production. (It is their intertwined "SS" initials found inside the Stonelain maker's mark.)
Provenance and Description:
I represent the seller, who is a personal friend and the original purchaser of the offered ceramic platter. Before I researched the above background information, the seller told me that he had bought it circa 1950 at a 57th Street gallery and that, to the best of his recollection, it was created to benefit the "American Artists Association" (sic). The 13-inch diameter platter bears the above mentioned "SS" inside the Stonelain maker's mark on its underside. The platter is signed front and back: The back signature is in capital letters and the front signature is in script, but somewhat illegible, due to pooling of the glaze. The condition is excellent/mint, with only natural crazing. It has been displayed on the wall and not been subject to utilitarian wear (The seller owns another AAA/Stonelain 13-inch diameter platter painted by Fletcher Martin and it will be offered at a later date.)

If you'd like to pay $5000 for this dish, I'll put you in touch with its owner.