Uhl Pottery: Indiana Stoneware & Art Pottery
Uhl Pottery Company operated in Huntingburg, Indiana, from 1854 to 1944, producing utilitarian stoneware, art pottery, and miniatures across three generations of the Uhl family. Beginning as a traditional stoneware jug and crock manufacturer, Uhl evolved to produce colorful glazed art pottery, miniature jugs, and novelty items during its later decades. The pottery's long history and varied output make it a rewarding specialty for collectors, particularly in the Midwest.
History & Production
August Uhl founded the pottery in 1854 as a traditional stoneware operation. His son Louis expanded production, and the company grew substantially under third-generation management. By the early 1900s, Uhl was producing both utilitarian stoneware and decorative pieces. During the 1920s-1940s, the pottery added colorful glazed vases, pitchers, and a popular line of miniature jugs, many commissioned as advertising pieces. The pottery closed in 1944 after wartime labor shortages made continued operation impossible.
Identification & Marks
- Early Stoneware (1854-1890s): Often unmarked or stamped "UHL POTTERY" or "A. UHL"
- Later Period (1900s-1944): Marked "UHL POTTERY WORKS" or "UHLS" with "HUNTINGBURG, IND."
- Miniatures: Often stamped on the bottom with the Uhl name and sometimes a shape number
- Glazes: Later art pottery features distinctive blue, brown, green, pink, and white glazes
- Acorn Mark: A distinctive acorn stamp appears on some pieces
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Era | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Salt-glazed stoneware crock (2-5 gal.) | 1870s-1910s | $75 - $300 |
| Decorated stoneware jug | 1880s-1910s | $100 - $500 |
| Glazed art pottery vase | 1920s-1940s | $50 - $200 |
| Miniature jug (advertising) | 1920s-1940s | $25 - $100 |
| Miniature jug (unusual glaze) | 1930s-1940s | $40 - $175 |
| Blue/white stoneware pitcher | 1890s-1910s | $100 - $400 |
| Canteen or barrel-form piece | 1900s-1930s | $75 - $300 |
| Dog or animal figure | 1930s-1940s | $100 - $400 |
| Christmas tree jug | 1930s-1940s | $75 - $250 |
Condition Factors
- Chips and cracks: Stoneware damage reduces value, though minor rim chips are accepted on early pieces
- Glaze condition: Crazing, crawling, or flaking glaze on art pottery pieces diminishes value
- Clarity of marks: Clear, legible pottery marks add confidence in attribution and increase value
- Stoneware decoration: Cobalt-decorated pieces with strong blue color bring premiums
- Miniature condition: Small pieces chip easily; mint condition commands top prices
Collecting Tips
- Miniature jugs are the most popular Uhl collecting category, with hundreds of varieties
- Advertising miniatures with business names, locations, and dates are especially desirable
- Blue-glazed pieces are among the most sought-after art pottery colors
- Early salt-glazed stoneware with cobalt decoration appeals to both Uhl and stoneware collectors
- The Uhl Collectors Society publishes research and maintains a pattern database
- Regional interest is strongest in Indiana and surrounding Midwest states
- Look for unusual forms, rare glazes, and pieces with original paper labels for premium value