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Van Briggle Pottery To Be Sold

December 28, 2012 by Van Briggle Info 2 Comments

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van briggle pottery storefront
RICH LADEN, THE GAZETTE (Colorado Springs)
The Van Briggle Pottery retail store on South Tejon Street has been closed for several months. The current owners plan to put the famed Colorado Springs pottery business up for sale in January; a handful of buyers already have shown interest.

Van Briggle Pottery is to be put up for sale in late January, according to president Craig Stevenson. The news was announced Thursday, December 27th, 2012. The company had planned to place itself on the market in 2012, but it never happened.

The official Van Briggle website has been inactive for quite a while – visitors to the unofficial Van Briggle site have e-mailed for help after not receiving official responses.

In December 2011, Stevenson said the company was going up for sale and a deal was expected within two to three months. There’s no specific reason why the sale was delayed, he said, but “time has a way of getting way from you.”

“We do have some interested parties, and they’re kind of waiting on us,” Stevenson said. “We’re kind of waiting to get some financial information together and to talk to the right person to sell the business.”

A handful of interested buyers, most from the Colorado Springs area, has expressed interest, Stevenson said. He declined to identify them or to be more specific on the number of potential buyers.

Stevenson said he expects the sale “would happen pretty quickly.”

The company had operated a retail location on South Tejon Street, but it’s been closed since spring and there’s been no recent production of Van Briggle items, Stevenson said. Pottery — some with minor and major imperfections — can be seen through the store’s front window but are being stored there, he said. It will be up to a new owner whether to keep the Tejon Street location.

“We’re confident that people who have collected Van Briggle over the years and who love Van Briggle will return once the change of ownership happens,”  Stevenson said.

Van Briggle is one of the Springs’ oldest businesses, and its art nouveau pottery has been popular for decades.

The company is owned by the estate of Bertha Stevenson, Craig’s mother, who died in 2011. Bertha Stevenson’s late husband, Kenneth, was a bookkeeper with Van Briggle who later became a manager and bought the company in 1969. He ran the business until he died in 1990.

Artus Van Briggle started the company in 1899 but died five years later. The company went through several owners, bankruptcy, a war-imposed closure and other problems over the next half-century before emerging prosperous in the 1950s.

But when he first discussed the company’s sale last year, Stevenson acknowledged that business had suffered because of the poor economy.

Republished from: http://www.gazette.com/articles/sale-149040-stevenson-company.html[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Filed Under: Front Page, Uncategorized

5 Places To Experience Art Pottery Around The World

February 17, 2012 by Van Briggle Info Leave a Comment

The Arts and Crafts Movement has a lot to answer for, as today’s collectors dedicate their time to tracking down the best pieces derived from the art pottery phenomenon of the late 19th and early 20th century.

Here are five places where art pottery lovers can experience the work and traditions of ceramic masters around the world up close and personal.

Van Briggle Pottery, Colorado Springs, US

Van Briggle PotteryThe Van Briggle legacy that began in 1899 is well known amongst art pottery fans who search with fervor for Van Briggle pottery characterized by flower, animal and humans designs finished with a soft matte glaze.

The Van Briggle craft lives on today in the company’s studios in Colorado. Focusing on the traditional designs created by founders Artus and Anne Van Briggle, the studio’s works are rooted in the past. However, the modern Van Briggle craftsmen also have a keen eye on the future and create contemporary pieces which are complementary to the celebrated Van Briggle style.

A visit to Van Briggle’s gallery, shop and studios offer a chance to glimpse the second hundred years of this fine pottery brand in the making.

Address: Van Briggle Pottery
 1024 South Tejon, St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Moorcroft, Staffordshire, UK

MoorcroftWilliam Moorcroft is behind the world renowned English pottery company that first opened its studio in 1897. Since those early days the Moorcraft brand has gone on to merit regular sales at Christies and Sotherbys and a collection of this artistic pottery placed within London’s pride, the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Located in Staffordshire in the middle of England, Moorcroft offers tours of its factory where visitors can witness in process the techniques that have been honed over 100 years and are still applied today. After a factory tour you can spend time in the elegant Moorcroft Museum before visiting the Heritage Visitor’s Centre to peruse and splurge on the kaleidoscope of designs for sale.

For art lovers searching for their next holiday destination, England is the perfect spot.

Address: Sandbach Road,
 Burslem,
 Stoke-on-Trent, 
Staffordshire, ST6 2DQ.
Tour times: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 11am and 2pm. Friday 11am.

Rookwood Pottery, Cincinnati, Ohio, US

Rookwood PotteryRookwood Pottery is a modern day example of an iconic brand battling through the worst of economic decline, starting with the Great Depression to emerge with its history and identity intact and all thanks to a group of passionate collectors. The impeccable craftsmanship and design of Rookwood pottery started life with a focus on naturally colored clays to produce works in splendid pinks, olive greens and grays.

Since being restored to glory Rockwood Pottery has re-establish a presence in its founding city, Cincinnati. Fan’s of this iconic potter can visit Rookwood’s Design and Tile Showroom, which is as much a celebration of the brand’s struggle and triumph as it is an opportunity to witness the craftsmanship of this pottery.

Address: 1920 Race Street
, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
Contact for opening hours.

Haeger Potteries, Illinois, US

Haeger PotteriesHaeger Potteries is now in its fourth generation of producers deriving from the Haeger family with 2011 marking the company’s 140th anniversary. The rich history of Haeger has seen many designs over time but its dedication to customers, craftsmanship and quality have remained the consistent throughout.

The factory store at Haeger is a genuine delight for art pottery lovers who can peruse and purchase premium pieces from the Royal Hager Gallery or visit the market for every day value ceramics. The Haeger Museum will take you on a tour of the company’s past as well as showing videos of the company’s ceramic production techniques.

Address: Van Buren Street, two blocks south of Rt. 72 in East Dundee, Illinois.
Opening hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 5pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Porches Pottery, Algarve, Portugal

Porches PotteryPorches Pottery may be one of the newer kids on the art pottery block but founder and Irish artist Patrick Swift managed to preserved the essence of Portuguese tile art when he opened his studio in the Algarve in the 1960’s that was popular in the country as far back as the 15th century. Today tiles, jugs and vases are created in a style that was popular as far back as the 15th century and might otherwise have been lost to Portugal forever.

The building that is home to Porches Pottery was designed by Swift in the style of an 18th century farmhouse and visitors there will feel be immersed in the essence of a thriving craft workshop.

Porches pottery works have been instrumental in the revival of the craft of art pottery in the region and provides the perfect reason for visiting the warm climes of Europe’s Portuguese Algarve.

Address: Porches Pottery, EN125, Porches 8400-451, Algarve, Portugal.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. Saturday 10am to 2pm.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Cleaning Your Van Briggle Pottery

November 24, 2010 by Van Briggle Info Leave a Comment

Sometimes after buying your Van Briggle pottery secondhand it is not as clean as you might want it to be. Luckily, it is extremely easy to get your Van Briggle art back into looking its best.

One of the most critical things to consider when cleaning your Van Briggle pottery is WHERE you are cleaning it. If your piece drops, could it break? A great tip is to always put down a dishtowel or rag in the sink when cleaning anything of great or irreplaceable value. Make sure you are also holding your pottery low and not high up. If it drops or slips by accident, the towel will break the fall and the item you are cleaning will stay intact.

The first thing you will want to do is place your pottery inside of another large bowl or dish and fill it with warm mildly soapy water. Go ahead and let your Van Briggle soak for a couple hours.

After your Van Briggle has soaked, take a soft toothbrush and brush the problem areas of your piece using a small circular motion. Never scrub with the green rough side of a sponge. This can ruin the finish.

When done, set your Van Briggle pottery in a spot where it can dry naturally.

That was easier than you thought, wasn’t it?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dishtowel, irreplaceable value, rough side, small circular motion, soapy water, soft toothbrush, van briggle pottery

Researching Your Van Briggle Pottery Pieces

November 19, 2010 by Van Briggle Info 8 Comments

As you pick up a variety of pieces from different sources, you may find yourself curious about each piece’s history and date manufactured. There are several excellent books available on Amazon to guide you and help you date your Van Briggle pottery. These books contain a repetroir of pictures and marks.


The first book you will want to add to your library is called, “The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Van Briggle Art Pottery: An Indentification & Value Guide.” This book contains over 800 pieces of Van Briggle pottery. The book also has plenty of information about the creation processes, dating your pottery, and other company material. We purchased ours uses from Amazon and haven’t looked back since.

Another book you may also want to check into is, “The Story Behind the Clay: A Comprehensive Guide to Commissioned Van Briggle Specialty Pieces” book which has quite an impressive showcasing of some of the most unique Van Briggle pottery pieces you could ever come across.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: amazon, comprehensive guide, pottery pieces, showcasing, van briggle art pottery, van briggle pottery

Buy Van Briggle Pottery

November 18, 2010 by Van Briggle Info 11 Comments

There are multiple venues to pursue in expanding your Van Briggle pottery collection. There is the option of buying directly from the Van Briggle website, where you can get the most recent pieces of art offered. You can find coveted Van Briggle vases and other pieces on Ebay, often for great prices. As you become more and more familiar with how to quickly identify a Van Briggle piece of pottery, you may even stumble across a hidden treasure at a garage sale or estate sale.

Buying Van Briggle pottery secondhand from a garage sale or estate sale will be one of the most exciting experiences you can have as you expand your collection. You have the hunt of searching through boxes, on top of tables, and items scattered through an estate. You carefully pick up your piece of primitive pottery with that dull matte finish and look under the bottom. You notice a large V, followed by the rest of that telltale Van Briggle signing. Perhaps you will even find an original cast, signed by the potter himself!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ebay, garage sale, hidden treasure, matte, matte finish, pottery collection, primitive pottery, van briggle, van briggle pottery, vases

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More Van Briggle Information

  • Antiques Roadshow Appraises 1905 Van Briggle Vase
  • Van Briggle Pottery To Be Sold
  • White Van Briggle Flower Frog
  • 5 Places To Experience Art Pottery Around The World
  • Van Briggle at the Antique Faire
  • A Van Briggle Flower Frog in Martinez, CA
  • A Rare Rookwood Tile
  • Cleaning Your Van Briggle Pottery
  • Researching Your Van Briggle Pottery Pieces
  • Buy Van Briggle Pottery

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