Union Porcelain Works: American Art Porcelain from Brooklyn
Union Porcelain Works (UPW) was a pioneering American porcelain manufacturer located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, operating from 1848 to approximately 1922. Under the artistic direction of German-born sculptor Karl Muller from 1874, UPW produced some of the most ambitious and artistically significant American porcelain of the 19th century, including the celebrated Century Vase created for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.
History & Production
The pottery was established by Charles Cartlidge in 1848 and reorganized as Union Porcelain Works under Thomas C. Smith in 1862. Smith hired Karl Muller as chief designer in 1874, inaugurating UPW's most creative period. Muller designed elaborate figural pieces, oyster plates, and ornamental wares that drew on American historical themes. The factory also produced commercial porcelain including dinnerware, door furniture, and electrical insulators alongside its art pieces.
Identification & Marks
- Eagle Mark: The most recognized UPW mark features an eagle's head holding an "S" (for Smith) in its beak, often with "U.P.W." below
- Green Printed Mark: Later pieces use a green overglaze printed mark
- Impressed Marks: Early pieces may show impressed "UNION PORCELAIN WORKS / GREENPOINT, N.Y."
- Date Letters: Some pieces include date letter codes
- Karl Muller Pieces: The most artistically important UPW works, identifiable by their sculptural complexity
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Karl Muller figural pitcher | 1876-1890s | $2,000 - $15,000+ |
| Oyster plate (standard form) | 1880s-1890s | $200 - $800 |
| Decorated vase (hand-painted) | 1870s-1900s | $300 - $2,000 |
| Centennial-period presentation piece | 1876 | $5,000 - $50,000+ |
| Standard dinnerware piece | 1880s-1910s | $30 - $150 |
| Figural inkwell or pen tray | 1880s-1900s | $200 - $1,000 |
| Door hardware (porcelain knobs) | 1870s-1900s | $25 - $100 |
| Commemorative or souvenir piece | 1876-1900s | $150 - $800 |
Condition Factors
- Porcelain quality: UPW produced true hard-paste porcelain of excellent quality
- Gilding: Original gold decoration should be intact; worn gilding reduces value
- Chips and repairs: Any damage to figural pieces significantly impacts value
- Paint decoration: Hand-painted pieces in good condition with crisp detail are most desirable
- Marks: Clearly marked pieces command premiums over unmarked examples
- Provenance: Documented exhibition history or notable collection provenance adds substantially
Collecting Tips
- Karl Muller's figural pieces are the crown jewels of UPW production and command the highest prices
- Oyster plates are the most commonly found UPW pieces and make an accessible entry point
- UPW is considered a cornerstone of American art porcelain alongside Lenox and Ott & Brewer
- The Century Vase (1876) is in the Brooklyn Museum collection; related pieces from the Centennial period are museum-quality
- Compare UPW pieces carefully with European imports, as some UPW designs drew heavily on Continental models
- The strong American decorative arts market supports UPW values, particularly for exhibition-quality pieces
- Reference Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen's "American Porcelain" for UPW context and identification