Fulper Pottery: American Art Pottery from Flemington, New Jersey
Fulper Pottery Company operated in Flemington, New Jersey, producing utilitarian stoneware from 1814 and transitioning to art pottery in 1909 under the artistic direction of William Hill Fulper II. The "Vasekraft" art pottery line, produced from 1909 to approximately 1935, is celebrated for its extraordinary range of rich, experimental glazes applied to sturdy, well-proportioned forms. Fulper is considered one of the premier American art potteries and is actively collected for its remarkable glaze effects.
History and Development
- 1814: Samuel Hill establishes a pottery in Flemington, New Jersey for utilitarian stoneware
- 1860: Abraham Fulper acquires the pottery
- 1909: William Hill Fulper II introduces the "Vasekraft" art pottery line
- 1910-1920s: Peak art pottery production; extraordinary glaze experimentation
- 1929: Fire destroys part of the factory
- 1930: Fulper acquires Stangl Pottery; production begins shifting
- 1935: Art pottery production effectively ends; Stangl name gradually replaces Fulper
- 1955: Stangl (formerly Fulper) factory closes permanently in 1978
Identification and Marks
- Incised marks: "FULPER" in a vertical rectangle, or "FULPER" in an ink stamp
- Paper labels: "Fulper Vasekraft" labels were used but are rarely found intact
- Shape numbers: Incised on the base for internal cataloguing
- The clay body is a heavy, dense stoneware, much heavier than comparable Rookwood or Weller pieces
- Glazes are the defining feature: richly colored, deeply layered, and often with dramatic effects
- Glaze "families" include Leopard Skin, Cat's Eye, Flambe, Cucumber Green, Mirror Black, and many others
Glaze Types
- Flambe glazes: Rich reds, oxblood, and copper-influenced flowing glazes
- Crystalline glazes: Featuring visible crystal formations within the glaze surface
- Leopard Skin: Brown spotted glaze over a contrasting ground
- Cat's Eye: Dramatic flowing glaze with multiple color effects
- Mirror glazes: Highly reflective black, blue, or green glazes
- Cucumber Green: Matte green with darker variations
- Wisteria: Purple-blue matte glaze
- Mission Matte: Solid matte colors in earth tones
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Small vase (under 6 in.) | $75 - $250 | Exceptional glaze: $300 - $800 |
| Medium vase (6-10 in.) | $150 - $500 | Rare form/glaze: $600 - $2,000 |
| Large vase (10+ in.) | $300 - $1,500 | Museum quality: $2,000 - $8,000 |
| Bowl | $50 - $200 | Unusual glaze: $250 - $600 |
| Table lamp (Vasekraft) | $500 - $2,000 | With original shade: $3,000 - $10,000 |
| Bookends (pair) | $100 - $300 | Figural: $400 - $800 |
| Urn or jardinierre | $200 - $800 | Large, exceptional: $1,000 - $4,000 |
Condition Factors
- Glaze crazing is common on Fulper and is generally tolerated; heavy crazing reduces value modestly
- Chips on the rim or base reduce value by 20-40% depending on visibility
- Grinding chips on the base (from production) are normal and not considered damage
- Flambe and flowing glazes should show their characteristic movement; static or dull examples are less desirable
- Lamp shades and inserts should be original; Fulper produced both ceramic and leaded glass shades
- The heavy stoneware body rarely cracks; when cracks do occur, they significantly reduce value
Collecting Tips
- Glaze is the primary value driver for Fulper pottery; an exceptional glaze on a common form can be worth more than a rare form with a common glaze
- Flambe, crystalline, and Cat's Eye glazes are among the most sought-after
- Vasekraft table lamps with original ceramic or leaded glass shades are the highest-value Fulper items
- Large vases and urns with dramatic flowing glazes make impressive display pieces and perform well at auction
- Early production (1909-1920) generally shows the most adventurous glaze experimentation
- Fulper is sometimes confused with Stangl; learn the marks and production periods to distinguish them