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12 - Antique Shoppe - www.antiqueshoppefl.com
Crescent planter, turquoise blue glaze, 8” l. x 8” h.
“SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE” $35-50. • Four-point, and “Jack-in-the-Pulpit” vases,
turquoise blue glaze. 7” h., 9” h., $30-40 ea. • Vase
Design Trends of the Mid-20th Century with ornamental handles, 5-1/4” h., and tulip vase, 5-1/4”
l., turquoise blue
glaze. $30-40 ea.
By Donald-Brian Johnson

This Month’s Feature—
“THE VELVET TOUCH: VAN BRIGGLE POTTERY”
Anne built
on the creative
A palette of vibrant color. Nature’s essence captured in clay. These are the foundations
magical elements behind the enduring appeal of Van Briggle. Until its closing the pair had
in 2012, the firm was America’s oldest continuously operating art pottery. established,
Nestled at the base of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Van Briggle Pottery expanding the
turned out its first artware in 1899. Soon, collectors were clamoring for the company’s
pieces created by Artus and Anne Van Briggle and their successors. The lines output and
are simple, yet evocative, the glazes deep and velvety, the finished product workforce.
hypnotically alluring. More
Born in Felicity, Ohio in 1869, Artus Van Briggle moved to Cincinnati while importantly,
still in his teens, finding employment at the famed Rookwood Pottery. His she also
skill as a decorator brought him to the attention of Maria Storer, Rookwood’s spearheaded
founder. In 1893, Storer sponsored Van Briggle’s further studies in Paris. the 1908
There, he became fascinated by pottery produced during the Chinese construction
Ming Dynasty, particularly by its soft matte glazes. The technique used to of the famed
produce these true-to-nature’s-colors glazes had been lost in the mists of time; “Van Briggle
resurrecting it became his obsession. (Another Paris-inspired obsession: fellow Memorial
art student Anne Lawrence Gregory who, in 1902, became Anne Van Briggle.) Pottery”

complex.
From the moment it opened, the Memorial Pottery was a must-see tourist
destination. “In the shadow of Pikes Peak” was no exaggeration: the pottery’s
handy Monument Valley Park location proved ideal for attracting tourists
already in the area. What could be more enticing than a restful hour or two
perusing pottery in production? And, after viewing demonstrations of “the
oldest art” in full swing, who could resist a Van Briggle purchase or two? For
travelers, Van Briggle meant a free tour. For Van Briggle, those free tours
meant big bucks.
In 1910, a desire to focus on a painting career prompted Anne Van Briggle
to lease the Pottery. The years that followed her exit were difficult ones for
the firm. There were financial crises, as the business passed through several
Mulberry lotus leaf bowl, and matching square candleholders. 6” d.; 2-1/2” w. $75-100; owners. A 1919 fire gutted much of the building’s interior, and a 1935 flood
$35-50/pr. • Pineapple candleholders, mulberry glaze, 7” l., $50-75/pr. laid waste to records and moulds. World War II meant a three-year closure.
But somehow, Van Briggle Pottery survived. A second facility, ensconced in
In 1896, Van Briggle returned to the United States. In 1899, the couple a former railroad roundhouse, opened in 1955. It attracted even more tourists,
moved to Colorado. Artus, suffering from the onset of tuberculosis, hoped that thanks to its location on the main highway leading to the Garden of the Gods.
the higher, drier climate might benefit his health. As at the beginning, today’s Van Briggle collectors remain entranced by its
Settling in Colorado Springs, he continued his glaze experimentation, stylistic timelessness. The richly muted colors, swirling lines, and soft-edged
utilizing native clays from the vicinity of the Garden of the Gods. In 1900, shapes blend well with any décor. A Van Briggle piece “fits” because it doesn’t
Artus Van Briggle finally achieved his goal: the marble-like soft glaze of the compete. Instead, Van Briggle complements.
Ming period was successfully married
to the sturdy clays of Colorado. In
December 1901, Van Briggle pottery Van Briggle artware courtesy of Photo
was first offered to the public; all three Associate Hank Kuhlmann
hundred pieces in the initial run were Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of
numerous Schiffer books on design and
immediately snapped up, and a pottery collectibles, including “Postwar Pop,” a
legend was born. collection of his columns. Please address
For Artus Van Briggle, the search inquiries to: donaldbrian@msn.com
for pottery perfection lasted longer
than the success that followed. In Photos shown on Page 1
1902, the Paris Salon recognized Indian maiden grinding corn, turquoise
his innovative glaze and design blue glaze. 7-1/2” h., $175-200.
work with varied awards. In 1903, Mule figural, 3-1/2” h., $75-95.
“Despondency,” a Van Briggle vase Deer vase, brown glaze, 9” h., $75-100.
with the figure of a sorrowful woman Horse figurine, 9” h., turquoise blue
coiled about the vase mouth, was a glaze. $60-75.
Salon first-place winner. But in July
1904, at the age of 35, Artus Van
Briggle died. The company was now in “Lorelei” vase reissue, 11” h., turquoise blue glaze, $225-250.
the hands of Anne Van Briggle. Mermaid tray, turquoise blue glaze, 7-1/2” d., $175-200.