Van Briggle Pottery - Date or Period of Production

The period of production has a significant impact on the desirability and hence investment potential of Van Briggle pottery.  Van Briggle pottery collectors typically divide early production into the following periods:

1.  Van Briggle Pottery - 1901 through 1904

Van Briggle produced in this earliest period is typically the most sought-after by art pottery collectors.  This period of production is often called the pre-death period because Artus Van Briggle was alive and personally involved in the production of the pottery. 

Another factor contributing to the desirability of Van Briggle pottery from the pre-death period (1901-1904) is that original production numbers were very low and the quality was very high.  It is estimated that around 3,000 examples of Van Briggle pottery from the 1901-1904 period survive today.   

It is extremely rare to see a 1901 vase since only around 300 examples of Van Briggle were produced that year.  In fact, in over 15 years of active Van Briggle pottery buying and selling I have seen one 1901 vase available for sale.  In a typical year, a collector might see for sale 5 to 10 examples of 1902 Van Briggle vases and 20 to 40 examples each of 1903 and 1904 examples.

2. Van Briggle Pottery - Mid 1904-1912

Van Briggle pottery produced between 1904 and 1912 is also highly collectible because not only was the pottery very high quality but during this time period Anne Van Briggle owned the pottery.  Production numbers for Van Briggle vases are estimated by Scott Nelson, in A Collector's Guide to Van Briggle Pottery to have averaged approximately 4,200 pieces per year between 1905 and 1908.  Scott estimates production increased to approximately 6,000 pieces per year in 1909-1911 and declined to around 1,500 in 1912.  One can safely assume at least 1/2 and probably a much higher percentage of the vases produced during this time period have been destroyed.

3.  Van Briggle Pottery - 1912-1920

Van Briggle pottery vases from the 1912 through 1920 period tend to be of high quality and in relatively high demand by collectors.  In particular, dated Van Briggle vases from the mid to late teens have seen measurable increases in value over the last few years.

4.  Van Briggle Pottery - 1920s

The quality of the art pottery vases produced by Van Briggle still remained relatively high during the 1920s period.  As prices have continued to climb for the earlier dated pieces of Van Briggle pottery, the 1920s pieces have seen more modest increases and in my opinion offer some of the best values for today's Van Briggle collectors. 

Van Briggle pottery vases marked with the USA mark signifies production between 1922 and 1926. Van Briggle pottery with the USA mark is typically a little higher priced than an equivalent vase from the 1920s without the USA mark.

Photos of Van Briggle Pottery Marks

Greg Myroth - Buying and Selling Van Briggle Pottery

Comments

[Kim Sorensen]

I ahve a van briggle vase. I do not know any thing abbout this on the bottom it has van briggle 12 colorado springs. Is there anyone that can help me with this.

[Marie Benthin]

I have a swan, mulberry matt finish, It has all the van Briggle Colo Sppgs (The proper A mark) along with 3 - 1's drawn in blue ink in the base, the base is a cream color.

[J Price]

I have 2 Lorelei vases. Both are
mulberry with a dark aqua in the drape. Both have the double A mark. Both have Colo $prings. Both are signed Van Briggle. One seems to have a small sideways 33 (?) symbol. The other has a symbol that looks something like a
C over ll. I have no idea what these mean. Any idea of date?

[Iam Bucaneer]

I have a Lorelei purchased in Colo. Spgs in 1950. It is Persian Rose, a color used from 1946 to 1968, replacing the earlier darker Mulberry glaze. Mine has a small sidewise 26. If yours are Mulberry circa 1902, they are worth at auction $50,000 to $60,000. If they are Persian Rose circa 1946-1968 they are worth about $1200-$1400. This link will take you an Antique Roadshow airing displaying the Mulberry glaze on a $50,000 vase. My Persian Rose is not near so dark. Wish it were (: Hugh Goetz