Spatterware: Hand-Decorated Sponge-Spattered Earthenware Pottery
Spatterware is a type of soft-paste earthenware decorated by spattering or sponging colored glaze onto the surface to create a stippled background, often surrounding a central hand-painted motif. Produced primarily in Staffordshire, England, for the American market from about 1820 to 1860, spatterware is one of the most sought-after and expensive categories of American country antiques. The colorful, folk-art quality of these pieces has made them perennial favorites among serious Americana collectors.
Identification & Marks
Spatterware was made by numerous Staffordshire potteries for export to America, where its bold colors appealed to rural and Pennsylvania German communities. Most pieces are unmarked, though some carry impressed maker's marks. The spattered background was created by blowing pigment through a tube or tapping a loaded brush against a stick, creating a fine, even stipple. This distinguishes spatterware from spongeware, which uses a cut sponge to apply larger, more defined patterns. Central motifs were then hand-painted, with the most famous being the peafowl (peacock), schoolhouse, eagle, rooster, tulip, and various flower designs.
Colors & Motifs
| Motif | Rarity | Relative Value |
|---|---|---|
| Peafowl | Common | Standard |
| Schoolhouse | Scarce | High premium |
| Eagle | Rare | Very high premium |
| Rooster | Scarce | High premium |
| Tulip | Moderate | Above average |
| Star | Rare | Very high premium |
| Fort | Very rare | Exceptional |
| Rainbow (multiple colors) | Scarce | High premium |
Background colors include blue (most common), red, green, yellow, purple, and brown. Rainbow spatterware combines multiple colors in bands or sections and is particularly valuable.
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Blue spatter plate with peafowl | $400-$1,500 |
| Red spatter plate with peafowl | $600-$2,500 |
| Schoolhouse spatter plate | $3,000-$15,000+ |
| Eagle spatter plate | $5,000-$25,000+ |
| Rainbow spatter plate | $2,000-$10,000 |
| Spatter sugar bowl with lid | $500-$2,000 |
| Spatter teapot | $800-$4,000 |
| Spatter cup and saucer | $200-$1,200 |
| Yellow or purple spatter (any motif) | Premium of 50-100% |
Condition Factors
Spatterware is soft-paste earthenware and extremely fragile. Chips, cracks, and staining are common in pieces over 150 years old. Hairline cracks significantly reduce value but are tolerated in rare examples. The spattered background should be even and well-defined; the hand-painted central motif should be clear and colorful. Fading of colors, particularly red and yellow, reduces appeal. Staining from use is common on plates and cups. Professional restoration is widespread; examine under ultraviolet light. Minor condition issues are forgiven on rare motifs like schoolhouses and eagles.
Collecting Tips
Spatterware is a serious, high-end collecting field with strong demand and limited supply. Blue is the most common background color; yellow, purple, and brown are genuinely rare and command substantial premiums. The central motif is the primary value driver, with schoolhouse, eagle, and fort designs being the rarest and most expensive. Begin with more affordable blue peafowl examples to develop your eye before investing in rare motifs. Study the color palette and painting style of period examples to recognize reproductions. Attend specialized Americana auctions at Pook & Pook, Crocker Farm, and similar regional houses where the best examples appear. Handle and examine as many documented pieces as possible to develop connoisseurship.