Denver: Denver White Pottery and Denver China
Denver, in the antiques collecting context, refers primarily to ceramics produced by two related Colorado potteries: the Denver China and Pottery Company (1901-1905) and the Denver White Pottery Company (1894-1905), both operating in Denver, Colorado. These short-lived but artistically significant operations produced a range of art pottery, utilitarian wares, and decorative pieces that are today rare and collected primarily by American art pottery enthusiasts and Colorado regional collectors.
History and Development
- 1894: Denver White Pottery Company established; produces utilitarian white earthenware
- 1900: William Long, formerly of Lonhuda Pottery (Steubenville, OH), arrives in Denver
- 1901: Denver China and Pottery Company organized; William Long serves as superintendent
- 1901-1905: Art pottery production under Long's direction, creating the "Lonhuda Denaura" line
- 1905: Both pottery operations close; Short production span makes all pieces scarce
- William Long's career also included Weller's Lonhuda line and Clifton Pottery
Identification and Marks
- Denver China and Pottery: Pieces may be marked "Denaura" or "Denver" impressed or incised
- Denver White Pottery: Marked "Denver" or with the company name
- William Long's art pottery features underglaze slip-painted decoration similar to his Lonhuda line
- Art pottery pieces often feature Native American or Western landscapes as decoration
- The clay body is typically a local Colorado clay, which produces a distinctive warm tone
- Many pieces are unmarked, making attribution challenging without expertise
Types of Production
- Art pottery (Denaura line): Slip-painted vases and decorative pieces with floral and landscape subjects
- Utilitarian ware: Crocks, jugs, and basic household pottery
- White earthenware: Plates, bowls, and serving pieces in plain white
- Decorated ware: Hand-painted pieces featuring Colorado wildflowers and Western scenes
- Souvenir items: Pieces decorated with Denver and Colorado subjects
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Denaura art pottery vase | $200 - $800 | Exceptional decoration: $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Utilitarian piece (marked) | $50 - $200 | Early or rare form: $300 - $600 |
| White earthenware (marked) | $30 - $100 | Complete set: $200 - $500 |
| Decorated piece with Western scene | $300 - $1,000 | Museum quality: $1,500 - $4,000 |
| Souvenir item | $50 - $200 | Unusual subject: $250 - $500 |
Condition Factors
- The earthenware body is relatively fragile; chips and cracks are common and reduce value
- Slip-painted decoration should be intact and unfaded; damage to the painted surface is difficult to restore
- Glaze crazing is common and generally tolerated on early pieces
- Marked pieces are significantly more valuable than unmarked examples
- Condition standards are slightly relaxed due to the extreme rarity of these pieces
Collecting Tips
- All Denver pottery is scarce due to the very short production periods of both factories
- The connection to William Long (a significant figure in American art pottery) adds historical importance
- Pieces with identifiable Colorado or Western subjects have strong regional collecting appeal
- Unmarked pieces require expert examination for attribution; consult American art pottery reference works
- Denver pottery is best understood in the context of the broader American art pottery movement (1880-1920)
- Regional Colorado collections and museums are good resources for study and comparison