10/23/2026
Many of you have messaged me about this Van Briggle vase I featured in a video yesterday. While I'm still doing some research on this piece, I'd like to share a bit more info with you!
Van Briggle Art Pottery, at the time it closed in 2014, was one of if not the oldest pottery company in America. It was founded in 1899 in Colorado Springs by Artus Van Briggle, who was already a famous painter in Europe. Artus began his career as an apprentice at the Avon Pottery company and later at the Rookwood Pottery Company where he became a leading decorator. His time at Rookwood may have heavily influenced his style, as the glazing of Van Briggle pottery is similar yet unique. Artus married his wife Anne in 1902. Anne, herself an accomplished artisan, became adept at producing her husband’s glaze formulas. Artus died from tuberculosis on July 4, 1904. Anne continued to run the company until 1912. After changing hands several times during its history, Van Briggle Art Pottery Company finally closed its doors for good around 2014.
This particular vase design, listed as design 182 in the shape catalog, is known as "Spiderwort and leaves, two handles," dated 1904 and quite rare.
Pricing a piece like this takes time and research, and I'm still working on it. Very few of these have sold at auction. Van Briggle Art Pottery is highly sought after, with prices ranging from $450 to $8000. This identical design in a different glaze color sold most recently at auction for $4800.
As we often do when we find that we have a treasure of this caliber, we'll probably be sending this off to Sothebys or Bonhams so that it can be showcased in an upcoming nationally marketed auction worthy of its splendor.
