#MiddleburyCT #Antiques #VanBrigglePottery #AntiqueCocoCola
Artus Van Briggle and his wife, Anne, were decorators at the Rookwood Pottery in Ohio. They moved to Colorado after Artus was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and he opened his own pottery there, the Van Briggle Pottery, in 1901.
After Artus died in 1904, Anne took over the pottery. Van Briggle Pottery is known for its art nouveau vases with abstract flower shapes or graceful human figures in a single rich color, subtly varied shades or tonal gradients of matte glazes. The glazes were Artus’ passion, inspired by centuries-old Chinese pottery.
Van Briggle pottery is known for its abstract nature themes and the colors of its matte glazes. This tile provides a showcase for both. (Kovels.com)
This tile, which sold for $2,125 at a Rago auction, shows another side of the pottery. The subject matter of a few trees in a landscape may have been influenced by Artus’ training as a painter in Europe before his career in ceramics. The shapes in the background may have been inspired by the mountain scenery of Colorado.
The scene was created with the cuenca technique for decorating tiles. Spanish for “basin,” cuenca involves molding a design onto the tile before it is fired, leaving shapes outlined with raised lines. The shapes are then flooded with glaze; the raised lines keep the different glazes separate.
Q: I’m looking for some advice on selling antique Coca-Cola items. I have some 1920s brown bottles, lithographed cardboard signs from 1948 to the 1950s, and mirrors from the 1970s to 1980s.
A: Coca-Cola syrup was invented by pharmacist Dr. John Stith Pemberton. The first glass of Coca-Cola was sold at a soda fountain in Atlanta in 1886. Coca-Cola has become one of the world’s most recognized brands. Thousands of Coca-Cola advertising items have been made and are popular collectibles today. There is even a club for collectors, the Coca-Cola Collectors Club (website: cocacolaclub.org).
Many items have been reproduced. Authentic memorabilia sells well in shops, online sites, and auctions. Check online sites to see what items like yours are selling for. There are auction houses that specialize in sales of bottles and auction Coca-Cola mirrors, signs and other items. Prices for rare items are high, but common signs, bottles and toys sell for less than $100.
TIP: Don’t soak old ceramic pieces in water for a long time. Old repairs may be loosened.
Current Prices
Pottery, tankard, arts and crafts, matte green glaze, raised leaves and beaded swag around rim, J.S.T. & Co., Hampshire, 5 1/2 inches, $90.
Coin-operated, change machine, penny, dispenses five pennies when a nickel is deposited, red, funnel top, metal, c. 1909, 28 inches, $190.
Garden, seat, cobalt blue glaze, allover white cherry blossom branches, white nailhead trim, Chinese, 20th century, 18 1/2 inches, $380.
Doll, Mattel, Barbie, Ken, With “Lifelike” Bendable Legs, Titian-haired Barbie, multicolor bathing suit, blond Ken, red bathing suit, blue open shirt with “K,” boxes, pair, $1,005.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
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