Paul Revere Pottery: Boston Arts and Crafts Ceramics
Paul Revere Pottery was produced by the Saturday Evening Girls (S.E.G.) club, a group of young immigrant women in Boston's North End who were taught pottery skills as part of a progressive social welfare program. Operating from 1906 to 1942, the pottery created hand-decorated tiles, tableware, and children's sets in a distinctive Arts and Crafts style characterized by bold outlines, flat color fields, and charming motifs. Today, Paul Revere Pottery is among the most collectible American art pottery.
History
Librarian Edith Brown and philanthropist Mrs. James Storrow established the Saturday Evening Girls pottery program at a library in Boston's North End in 1906. The group moved to a dedicated facility on Hull Street (near the Old North Church, inspiring the Paul Revere name) in 1915 and later relocated to Brighton, Massachusetts, in 1932. Production ceased in 1942. Most workers were Italian and Jewish immigrant women who earned wages while learning a trade.
Identification and Marks
- Early pieces (1906-1915) marked "S.E.G." (Saturday Evening Girls) with date and artist initials
- After 1915, pieces marked "P.R.P." (Paul Revere Pottery) or the full name, often with a horse and rider stamp
- Artist initials and date codes are commonly found on bases
- Notable decorators include Edith Brown (EB), Sara Galner (SG), Fannie Levine (FL), and Albina Mangini (AM)
- The pottery used a semi-matte glaze in distinctive colors: mustard yellow, blue-gray, green, and white
Types and Decoration
| Type | Description | Relative Value |
|---|---|---|
| Children's breakfast sets | Plates and bowls with rabbits, chicks, roosters, ducks | Highest |
| Motto pieces | Plates with incised text borders ("His Plate," "Her Bowl") | Very High |
| Landscape band decoration | Vases and bowls with trees, houses, or lotus borders | High |
| Tile trivets | Square tiles with animal or floral designs | Moderate-High |
| Plain glazed ware | Simple vases, bowls in solid matte colors | Moderate |
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Plain matte glaze vase or bowl | $100-$400 |
| Tile trivet, animal design | $300-$1,000 |
| Decorated plate, floral band | $400-$1,500 |
| Children's plate, rabbit or chick motif | $1,000-$4,000 |
| Motto plate or bowl, "His/Her" | $800-$3,500 |
| Landscape band vase, large | $2,000-$8,000 |
| Exceptional decorated piece, early S.E.G. | $5,000-$20,000+ |
| Large lotus or landscape vase | $3,000-$12,000 |
Condition Factors
- Chips to decorated surfaces are more damaging to value than chips on plain ware
- Crazing is common and generally accepted if not stained
- Glaze flaking, especially on early pieces, reduces value
- Hairline cracks through decorated areas are serious condition issues
- The semi-matte glaze shows surface wear over time; pristine surfaces are preferred
- Intact original children's sets (plate, bowl, mug) are rare and valuable as groups
Collecting Tips
- Decorated pieces with figural motifs (animals, landscapes) vastly outperform plain glazed ware
- Children's sets with rabbits are the most iconic and sought-after form
- Early S.E.G.-marked pieces from before 1915 are scarcer and carry a premium
- Artist attribution adds value; Edith Brown-decorated pieces are especially prized
- The pottery's social history adds narrative appeal that supports long-term value
- Tiles are an affordable entry point and display well as a group