Batchelder / Douglas Donaldson

Ernest Batchelder was a huge figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, especially in the midwest and California. He authored two very influential books on design and how it applied to objects including metalwork. He worked at the Minneapolis Handicraft Guild alongside Douglas Donaldson who brought many of his designs in metal to life.

Eventually both relocated to Southern California and continued to work together on metal projects. Batchelder founded his famous tile company in Pasadena while working at Throop Polytechnic (now CalTech) teaching design and manual arts. Donaldson also worked at Throop before becoming the lead at the LA Manual Arts High School and later formed his owned design studio in his home.

Their work is rarely signed and attribution must be based on form, design and execution.