Van Briggle: Colorado Springs Art Pottery & Matte Glazes
Van Briggle Pottery was founded in 1901 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, by Artus Van Briggle, a former Rookwood decorator who spent years perfecting matte glazes inspired by Chinese Ming dynasty ceramics. His flowing Art Nouveau forms combined with rich, dead-matte glazes created some of the most celebrated American art pottery. Early pieces made during Artus's lifetime (he died in 1904) are among the most valuable and sought-after American ceramics.
History & Production
Artus Van Briggle trained at the Cincinnati Art Academy and worked as a decorator at Rookwood Pottery from 1887 to 1899. During study in Paris (1893-1896), he became obsessed with recreating Chinese matte glazes. He moved to Colorado Springs for his health (he had tuberculosis) and established his own pottery in 1901. His wife Anne continued the pottery after his death in 1904. The company has operated continuously, making it one of the longest-running American art potteries, though post-1920 pieces are far less valuable than early work.
Identification & Marks
- Early Period (1901-1904): Incised "AA" conjoined monogram (for Artus and Anne), Roman numeral date, and often a shape number; the most valuable pieces
- Anne Van Briggle Period (1904-1912): "AA" mark continues, sometimes with "VAN BRIGGLE" and "COLO. SPGS."
- Later Production (1920s onward): "Van Briggle" script or block mark, "Colo. Spgs." or "USA"
- Modern Production (1950s-present): Various marks, often with date codes
- Glaze Types: Persian Rose (pink), Mountain Craig (brown), Turquoise Ming, Mulberry, and others
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Period | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Artus Van Briggle dated piece (1901-1904) | Earliest | $2,000 - $50,000+ |
| "Lorelei" vase (early) | 1901-1904 | $5,000 - $30,000 |
| "Despondency" figure (early) | 1901-1904 | $3,000 - $20,000 |
| Anne period vase (1905-1912) | Early | $500 - $5,000 |
| 1920s-1930s production piece | Mid-period | $100 - $600 |
| Persian Rose vase (post-1920) | Later | $50 - $250 |
| Turquoise Ming piece (post-1940) | Modern | $30 - $150 |
| Lamp base (various periods) | Various | $75 - $500 |
Condition Factors
- Glaze integrity: The signature matte glazes should be even and unfaded; glaze damage is critical
- Chips and cracks: Any damage substantially reduces value, especially on early pieces
- Drilling: Many pieces were converted to lamps; drilled pieces lose 50-75% of value
- Date marks: Clearly incised dates on early pieces are essential for authentication
- Glaze color: Original early glazes (deep matte greens, blues, plums) are most prized
- Form: Pieces retaining their original sculptural modeling without wear are preferred
Collecting Tips
- Pieces dated 1901-1904 (Artus's lifetime) are the holy grail; any authenticated example is significant
- The "Lorelei" and "Despondency" forms are iconic Van Briggle designs that define the pottery's identity
- Post-1920 production is much more affordable and widely available
- Persian Rose (pink matte) pieces from the 1920s-1940s are popular with decorators
- Beware of later reproductions of early forms; always check marks and clay body
- Scott Nelson's "A Collector's Guide to Van Briggle Pottery" is the essential reference
- The Van Briggle factory in Colorado Springs offers tours and maintains historical archives