Van Briggle Pitcher: History, Value & Where to Buy

Van Briggle pitchers blend the pottery’s Art Nouveau artistry with utilitarian form. While less common than vases, Van Briggle pitchers are distinctive and highly collectible — their handles and spouts showcase the flowing organic lines that define the pottery’s style.

From the earliest years of production through the pottery’s closure in 2012, pitchers offered a functional counterpart to Van Briggle’s decorative pieces. The same matte glazes, sculptural relief work, and organic forms that made Van Briggle vases famous are present in these pouring vessels, making them a compelling addition to any collection.

Whether you are looking for a rare early experimental piece or a charming mid-century example, this guide covers the pitcher’s history, how to identify and authenticate your piece, current market values, and where to find one today.

Pitchers were never as central to Van Briggle’s production as vases and bowls, but the pottery produced them from its earliest years. Early pitchers exhibit the same matte glazes and sculptural relief work that defined the pottery’s Art Nouveau aesthetic — flowing botanical motifs, naturalistic textures, and the soft deadmatte finishes that Artus Van Briggle pioneered.

The pottery also produced mug sets with carrying holders — a distinctive form that combined multiple mugs with a handled carrier, creating a functional set that doubled as a decorative display piece. These sets are uncommon survivors and are sought after by collectors who appreciate the pottery’s utilitarian side.

Some Van Briggle pieces occupy an interesting middle ground between pitcher and vase. These “pitcher vases” feature a vase form with a slight spout and handle, bridging the decorative and functional traditions. They are often classified differently by different sellers, which can make searching for them a rewarding treasure hunt across multiple categories.

Collectors have documented intriguing examples over the years: a brown experimental-glazed milk pitcher with unusual marks found inside the vessel, and an 11-inch Black Glaze Pitcher Vase dated 1949 that demonstrates the pottery’s continued exploration of the form well into the mid-century period.

Van Briggle pitchers carry the same bottom marks as other pieces from the pottery. The conjoined “AA” monogram, “VAN BRIGGLE” or “VB” lettering, and location marks follow the same progression through the pottery’s eras as vases and bowls.

Some early experimental pitchers may carry unusual marks — marks found inside the vessel rather than on the bottom, or hand-incised notations that differ from the standard production marks. These anomalies do not necessarily indicate a fake; early experimental pieces sometimes received non-standard treatment.

However, proper mark identification is critical. Not every piece that looks like Van Briggle is Van Briggle. One instructive example from the collector community involved a piece bearing a “Dayden” signature that was initially assumed to be Van Briggle due to its similar style and glaze — but was in fact from an entirely different maker. This underscores the importance of verifying marks against known examples rather than relying on visual similarity alone.

For a comprehensive guide to reading Van Briggle bottom marks across all eras, see our Markings & Identification Guide. For help pinpointing the exact decade your piece was made, consult our Dating Your Pottery guide.

Van Briggle pitchers are less frequently encountered at market than vases, which can make pricing less predictable. The following ranges reflect recent sales and current listings across major platforms.

Condition caveat: Pitchers see more handling than purely decorative pieces, so chips to spouts, handles, and rims are common. A pitcher with an intact handle and unchipped spout is worth significantly more than one with damage to these vulnerable areas. Always ask sellers for close-up photographs of the handle attachment points, spout edge, and rim.

Pitchers are less commonly listed than vases, so finding the right piece may take patience. Setting up saved searches with alerts is the best strategy for these less-frequent forms.

eBay

eBay is one of the best bets for finding Van Briggle pitchers. Search for “Van Briggle pitcher” and “Van Briggle creamer” to catch listings under different descriptions. Use the “Sold Items” filter to see actual sale prices rather than asking prices, which can be inflated.

Etsy

Etsy regularly has Van Briggle pitchers and creamers listed by vintage dealers. Prices tend to be fixed rather than auction-based, and sellers often provide detailed photographs and measurements. This is a good platform for mid-century and modern pieces.

Auction Houses

Major auction houses occasionally feature early Van Briggle pitchers, particularly when they appear as part of larger pottery collections. LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable aggregate listings from hundreds of auction houses, making them the most efficient way to monitor for early examples coming to market.

Antique Shops & Shows

Because pitchers are less well-known than the Lorelei or other signature Van Briggle forms, they are sometimes underpriced at general antique shops where dealers may not specialize in art pottery. Antique shows in Colorado and the broader Mountain West region are particularly good hunting grounds.