Buffalo Pottery: Semi-Vitreous Ware from Buffalo, New York
Buffalo Pottery was established in 1901 in Buffalo, New York by John D. Larkin as a subsidiary of the Larkin Soap Company, initially to produce premium china offered with soap purchases. The pottery quickly developed into a significant manufacturer of semi-vitreous dinnerware, institutional china, and art pottery. Buffalo Pottery is best known for its Blue Willow pattern, Gaudy Willow, and especially the highly collectible Deldare Ware line. The company later became Buffalo China and continued producing restaurant and institutional ware until 2004.
History and Production
- 1901: Buffalo Pottery founded by Larkin Company; first kiln fired October 1903
- 1903-1915: Production of decorated semi-vitreous china for Larkin Company premiums
- 1905: Blue Willow pattern introduced; becomes the company's signature line
- 1908-1909: First Deldare Ware produced (see separate entry for detailed Deldare information)
- 1911-1913: Abino Ware produced, a less common variant of Deldare
- 1915-1920s: Shift toward commercial and institutional china production
- 1940s-2004: Operates as Buffalo China, producing restaurant ware
Product Lines
- Blue Willow: The most widely produced Buffalo Pottery pattern; both dinnerware and decorative pieces
- Gaudy Willow: Bold polychrome version of the Willow pattern, highly collectible
- Deldare Ware: Hand-decorated art pottery line (see buffalo_pottery_deldare)
- Abino Ware: Art pottery with outdoor and sailing scenes on olive-green grounds
- Commemorative and advertising ware: Plates, mugs, and pitchers made for organizations, hotels, and events
- Christmas plates: Annual series plates produced in limited quantities
- Restaurant and institutional china: Heavy-duty commercial ware, the company's bread-and-butter line
Identifying Buffalo Pottery
- Marks: Circular stamp featuring a buffalo, with "BUFFALO POTTERY" and date codes
- Date marks: Year of manufacture included in backstamp from 1903 onward
- Body: Semi-vitreous earthenware with a distinctive cream-white body
- Decorator marks: Some hand-decorated pieces carry artist initials or signatures
- Pattern names: Many patterns identified by name in the backstamp
Auction Prices and Market Values
| Category | Typical Range | Exceptional Pieces |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Willow plates and bowls | $15-$60 | $150+ for early/large |
| Gaudy Willow pieces | $75-$300 | $800+ for large platters |
| Commemorative pitchers | $50-$250 | $600+ for rare subjects |
| Abino Ware | $200-$800 | $2,000+ for large pieces |
| Christmas plates | $30-$100 | $300+ for early issues |
| Advertising and hotel ware | $20-$100 | $400+ for notable hotels |
| Art pottery vases | $75-$300 | $700+ for unusual glazes |
Condition Factors
- Crazing: Fine craze lines in the glaze are common on older pieces; light crazing is generally accepted
- Chips and flakes: Rim chips on dinnerware significantly reduce value
- Staining: Utensil marks and food staining affect presentation and value
- Transfer quality: Sharp, clear transfer decoration is preferred; blurred or double-printed transfers reduce value
- Date marks: Earlier dates (1903-1915) generally indicate more collectible pieces
Collecting Tips
- Gaudy Willow and Abino Ware are the most underappreciated Buffalo Pottery lines, offering strong value
- Date codes in the backstamp make Buffalo Pottery one of the easiest American potteries to date
- Commemorative pitchers depicting historical scenes and events are a rewarding specialty
- Blue Willow is abundant and affordable, making it an excellent starting point
- Institutional and restaurant ware has a growing collector base, especially pieces from notable hotels and restaurants