Newcomb Pottery: New Orleans Arts & Crafts Art Pottery
Newcomb Pottery was produced at the Sophie Newcomb Memorial College for Women (the women's coordinate college of Tulane University) in New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1895 to 1940. It stands as one of the most important American art potteries, distinguished by its connection to the Arts and Crafts movement, its all-female decorating staff, and its distinctly Southern aesthetic featuring live oaks draped with Spanish moss, bayou scenes, magnolias, and native flora. Every piece is unique -- no two Newcomb pots share identical decoration.
Identification & Marks
- Base marks: Pieces carry an impressed "NC" cipher (N and C intertwined), a potter's mark, a decorator's initials, a clay body code letter, and a registration number
- Decorator initials: Key artists include Sadie Irvine (SI), Henrietta Bailey (HB), Anna Frances Simpson (AFS), Mary Sheerer (MS), and Marie de Hoa LeBlanc (MdHLB)
- Potter marks: Joseph Meyer (JM) threw most forms from 1896-1927; later potters include Jonathan Hunt and Kenneth Smith
- Period identification: Early pieces (1895-1910) feature high-gloss glazes with incised decoration; transitional pieces (1910-1915) show semi-matte surfaces; mature pieces (1915-1940) have the characteristic soft matte blue-green palette
Styles & Periods
- Early/High-Glaze Period (1895-1910): Bold incised designs with glossy glazes in blue, green, yellow, and cream; the rarest and most valuable period
- Transitional Period (1910-1915): Shift toward matte glazes; designs become more naturalistic
- Matte Period (1915-1940): The iconic look -- soft blue, green, and cream matte glazes with carved bayou scenes, moss-draped oaks, and moon-through-trees designs
- Espanol designs: Spanish-influenced geometric patterns, relatively uncommon
Auction Price Ranges
| Type | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matte period small vase (simple floral) | $1,500 | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| Matte period vase (oak/moss scene) | $5,000 | $15,000 | $40,000 |
| Early high-glaze vase | $8,000 | $25,000 | $80,000+ |
| Transitional period piece | $3,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Matte period tall vase (exceptional) | $15,000 | $40,000 | $120,000+ |
| Small trivet or tile | $500 | $1,500 | $5,000 |
Condition Factors
- Even minor chips or hairlines significantly reduce value given the high price points
- Drill holes (from conversion to lamps) reduce value by 30-50%; many important pieces were drilled
- Glaze bubbling or crawling is occasionally present and modestly affects value
- Tight, even crazing in the matte glaze is normal and does not constitute damage
- Restoration is common at higher price points; examine under UV light
Collecting Tips
- Decorator identity is crucial: pieces by Sadie Irvine, Henrietta Bailey, and Anna Frances Simpson consistently bring the highest prices
- The moon-through-moss-draped-oaks motif is the iconic Newcomb image and the most sought-after design
- Early high-glaze pieces are the rarest and most historically important but also the most expensive entry point
- Every piece is documented in the Newcomb archives at Tulane University; registration numbers can be cross-referenced for history
- Beware of pieces with thick, opaque overglaze -- they may be hiding restoration
- The market for Newcomb has been consistently strong at auction for decades, particularly for exceptional examples