Form: globular, small spike, rounded or angular rim. Decorated vessels tend to be found on cremation sites. The shape, glazing and markings of the "foot" or base surface of the piece which makes contact with a supporting surface (ie table or shelf) can be as revealing as the color and texture of the clay. Ipswich ware (end 7th century c. 875 AD), Late Saxon (c. mid 9th mid 11th century AD). Vitreous china was made by many of the American potters, and it is best known as restaurant ware. American Bisque and Royal Copley are two other companies that used this clay color, and did not always identify the pieces with the company name. Porcelain produces a comparatively louder sound than other types of chinaware. Check the unglazed base rim of Camark, Niloak, Gilmer or Alamo pottery and find a white clay. The pottery was probably produced in various centres around St Neots. Identify your pots and porcelain with this reference guide to Pottery marks found on U.S. and some Canadian pottery. On the day, folk art appraiser Wes Cowanwas able to identify the jug as from the late 1800s, and with a bit more research, we later discovered that the jug contains a good amount of Alabama. For this, check the unglazed places of pottery, such as the bottom of the piece. If you are not experienced enough to correctly examine pottery without markings, it is advisable to consult an expert to help identify the piece. Essentially, American pieces tend to have heavy bottoms .Still, being able to identify these pieces by their weight is a skill that is developed over time. For example, American pottery is generally thick and heavy compared to pottery from other countries. My List. Therefore, it is advised that you use a clean towel to wipe the bottom of the piece thoroughly. The ability to protect food and drink was crucial to Alabama's earliest settlers, who swept into the territory during the 1830s in a migration known as "Alabama Fever," which followed the forced displacement of Native Americans to the West. For this, you ought to check the unglazed area of the piece to catch the original color of the clay used, which is the bottom of the piece. All the jugtowns served local needs in the case of Sterrett, the major market was nearby Birmingham. Colchester colour-coated ware (120 AD late 3rd century AD). Collectors of fine pottery and porcelain realize that knowing as much as possible about their pieces will enable them to learn several things: The maker of the piece. The new settlers fed themselves locally by farming, gathering, hunting, and fishing, preserving whatever they could in stoneware for leaner times that inevitably would come. Handmade shell-tempered pottery. These will usually give a rough indication as to the time period and place of production. Her husband, Darrell, does the photography and design work for her pursuits. In fact, LeAnn's jug is the same shape as the kind made famous in the folk song, "Little Brown Jug," its chocolate color a result of the Albany (as in New York) slip that Southern potters began using to glaze their pots in the late 1800s. Values for Mary Kirk Kelly (American/Alabama, 1918-2013), two ceramic gourds, the multi-color signed and dated 1987, the other signed, taller 6 1/4 in. Status: the proportion of decorated samian increases with site status. Only the large storage vessels are handmade. It is usually very heavy, almost the weight of stoneware. Great detail in hand-painting and hand-work including sgraffitoScratching the surface to create a graffiti design. The merged business was known as Robinson Ransbottom Pottery. Step Four. Ohio was one of the major production pottery states, with factories around Zanesville including Roseville, Weller, McCoy, Brush, Robinson-Ransbottom and Burley. This type of glazed is made up of four elements: color, size, type, and flowers and patterns. Studio pottery is ceramic pottery made by amateur or professional artists making unique items or short runs. These minerals have played a key role in the development of the state, beginning with the prehistoric period, when flint, mica, clay, and other rocks and minerals were used by Native Americans. Moreover, it is important to note that the walls of American pottery pieces are thicker than foreign potteries. For more on this topic, see: Notice the tilt to the numbers? 5th century pottery has linear designs straight or curvilinear lines. Some of it is wheel-made, some is handmade, and the fabric usually has buff surfaces (but not always) and a blackgrey core, with some calcareous (white blobs) temper. How to Identify a Mark If the piece of pottery or porcelain you have has a mark on it, you can identify it in several ways. "Its main use was probably as a syrup jug." Different colors of clay were used at varying times, and others are synonymous with particular regions. You can find more photos and information about checking the bottom of the pot to identify American pottery in this article. Many of these ceramics, though, are difficult to identify as they were commonly marked simply with "Italy" and a number, so a picture of the piece can be an invaluable first step toward future identification. Copyright in these guides belongs to Jigsaw and the authors, including Paul Booth (OA South). Most American pottery pieces have some weight to themunlike the Japan imports of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s that seem fairly light in comparison. Learn about the different types and history of Zia and Acoma pottery. Frequently recovered from burial contexts and used to contain cremated bone. Ada clay was from an area outside Ada, Oklahoma and it was a tan color. And after she found out it might be worth a few thousand dollars to Alabama stoneware collectors, she's worked especially hard to protect it. How to Identify Bitossi Pottery? Compile your research into a notebook, including any photos you have found that show examples of specific trademarks, common pieces, etc. Haeger often looks as if it has a "seam" in the middle of the glazed bottom, and that helps in the identification of any Haeger or Royal Haeger that is not otherwise marked. Notice the block style to the numbers on this Gilmer vase (right) made with white clay. The fabric is soapy to the touch and the shell is finely crushed. Another way of identifying unmarked porcelain pottery is through the color test. You can also identify porcelain by examining the type of glazing used on it. --------Click on the surface treatment that most resembles your find-----------. They were used to contain liquids decanted from amphorae. Alamo and Gilmer are Texas potteries using white clay. 1st and 2nd century examples have a characteristic light coloured fabric. Written text and signature on the box The fibre textured paper with printed text that often accompanies the box on items made during the last century The stamp on the accompanying piece of fabric. Add water a little at a time, knead the clay to mix thoroughly, add water until your clay is a nice plastic consistency. Some types are tempered with sand and some with clay; others with what some would call no temper at all, only to discover that there are small, microscopic sponge spicules that hold it together. See this red clay dish by Harris G. Strong (left). Mostly shell-tempered other tempers include flint and grog. The easiest way to identify pottery with no markings is through its physical attributes, such as its color, texture, hardness, weight, and design. All were tempered, but all have a different temperament. One way to identify an antique vase is to check for the artist's name on the bottom of the vase. In a little log hut we call our own/ Ha, ha, ha, you and me/ Between 1910 and 1967, the pottery underwent many changes, including changing the pottery name to Nelson McCoy Pottery Company. 1925 to 1968. "I couldn't find comparable pots sold by that potter. "But you do need to know the country of origin," he says. Decoration on funerary vessels is very variable. Our house is from 1936, and before that there was a Victorian-era house on the property (that house was torn down and land subdivided in the 30s). If you see that, along with a company name, you may have a genuine antique on your hands. Check the clay color to identify vintage or antique American pottery. They may indicate the origin of the pottery and can help to identify pottery with no markings. Our functional pottery is beautiful as well as oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. The resulting container was revolutionary. This pitcher (right) is marked Acoma on the side. 347 Results. In American pottery, the glaze would go with the fashion of the time. (A quick aside about Alamo and Gilmer: Alamo and Gilmer potteries were related companies and used many of the same designs some originally from famous Texas potter Harding Black. Their presence in late Iron Age high-status graves gives chronological control over a range of late Iron Age/early Roman material culture. Traditional pottery and other forms of ceramicware are made with earthenware, a porous form of clay which must be glazed in order for the pottery to hold food or liquid. Hopefully, this will aid others in identifying their pottery. Mortaria were imported and made in Britain throughout the Roman period, and were made under the auspices of most major pottery industries. Alabama is home to a diverse and widespread variety of minerals, with more than 190 mineral species occurring in the state. Distinctive carination developed out of the carinated bowl forms of the earlier 3rd millennium. You do this by looking at the clay color. Some Hawaii pieces are also white clay, like this Hawaiian pitcher on the left. Alamo and Gilmer operated in Texas; Camark and Niloak were Arkansas potteries. Today Alabama stoneware has largely become the domain of local collectors. Many pieces of pottery have a dry rim around the bottom edge, known as a dry foot. These stilt marks (left) can help you establish the maker of this bowl. Provenance: to appraise similar items instantly without sending photos or descriptions. I started collecting Alabama stoneware and advertising jugs in 1985. Mortaria were often stamped on the flange, adding to their potential as a dating tool. Hofheim Flagons: Imported or produced in Britain for the army c.43 70 AD. Undervalued Items That Turned Out to Be Worth a Fortune. VanBriggle did some of these, too, but most of the VanBriggle pottery is marked and not difficult to identify. The ZIP code of Pottery Branch Road is 36272, There are about 198 street addresses. Majolica is typically made of earthenware or porcelain. 110 year later came this "The Gold Royal" typewriter Produced in Thetford on a large scale using proper kilns with managed temperatures to produce a uniform grey fabric of high quality. McCoy pottery is usually marked with the McCoy name or logo. Use your magnifying glass so you can see clearly and distinguish all marks and names. Frankoma didn't start out with red clay, and you'll see references to "Ada clay" in information about Frankoma. Camark used a cutting tool that left what I call "saw marks" on the dry foot of their pots. Scratching the surface to create a graffiti design. For example, moriage china pottery can be identified by pastel colors and intricate floral designs that are laid in small ribbons of clay. Pottery identification is a valuable aid to dating of archaeological sites. Pottery identification is a valuable aid to dating of archaeological sites. Notice how the glaze looks incomplete. The designs on the shard, whether it is glazed, and what the shard is made of are all things that help identify the time, place and artist of the pot. Here are some really helpful resources: The main St Neots, Thetford and Stamford ware pottery types persist beyond the Norman invasion. After carbon burn-out, iron compounds in the clay will convert to ferric oxide and the pot will turn red, or grey if there is less iron. Reducing environment: as there is no excess of oxygen, the carbon will not burn out, resulting in a grey or black colours. American Pottery Marks and Resource Directory, Paul E. Cox: Newcomb Pottery Glaze Master--Unpublished Letter (PDF), Workplace Violence: Safety in the Workplace, Western Spotted Orbweaver Spider in Temple, TX, More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Packing, Save Money and Energy with Window Treatments: Curtains, Drapes, and Shades, Look at the feet on the Frankoma leaf (left), Note the bottom on the Frankoma piece (right), See this red clay dish by Harris G. Strong (left), see the yellow clay bowl produced by McCoy (right), See the dry foot on the Camark console bowl (right), Niloak was heavier with a wider foot (left), (affiliate link) ALAMO POTTERY: A History of Alamo Pottery and its Offspring, Gilmer Pottery by N.P. Some antiques are extremely valuable, especially if they are no longer in production. 2023 Peach State Archaeological Society. See how the pink clay Dutch boy (left) has a pink clay color so his face, base and backpack don't require additional paint? Some American potteries went back to shiny glazes in the late 1930s and 1950s, and through the 1960s for many of the companies. Continued in the 3rd 1st centuries and into Roman times. Finding the right consistency can be tricky if you do not have much experience working with clay. Dating: forms and name stamps are well-dated. You can find more photos and information about checking the bottom of the pot to identify American pottery in this article. Refrigeration also made some of the containers, such as churns and jars, less essential. I frequently get emails from people asking for help in identifying fragments of pottery. At the Tulsa, Oklahoma, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW in July 2011 a woman named LeAnn lugged in a not-so-little brown jug she'd purchased at auction three years ago for $50. sand, shell, rock fragments), but also deliberately added (e.g. Information and help identifying American pottery bird figurines by the maker, the marks, clay colors, types and styles of figurines. They wanted practical vessels, such as jugs and jars, as well as pitchers for milk and churns to make butter. "Young men would settle into a pottery community and make their way, often marrying a daughter of another potter," Brackner says. Rosemeade made tan clay pottery in North Dakota. If it's scored, determine if it's indented in the side or from the corner. Fabric: Hard off white, sandy with red and black inclusions, can be colour-coated. They'd also seek out clay marbles for their children; gardenware, such as plant pots and birdbaths; or smoking pipes, "more popular than wooden or corncob pipes in the 19th century," Brackner says. "A book on English china marks won't help you find anything about a German pottery mark." According to Modernware, Vintage Bitossi pieces are generally marked with a handwritten "Italy" and a style number, which often includes a capital "B." Bitossi ceramics are not always clearly marked, prompting many to affix this designation to any ceramic ware stamped "Italy."The best approach to assess Bitossi is to become . Purinton also worked with yellow clay and produced hand-painted yellowware in Ohio until about 1941, when it moved to Pennsylvania. Some Weller has a distinctive three-part seam at the bottom, like this Weller vase (left) where the seam is clearly visible. Crystalline glazes were done in early Camark and early Haeger, like this pot by Haeger marked 431 (right). Reverse address lookup Pottery Branch Road. Pottery Identification. She said the potters used the same forms for all of their pottery, so it had a distinctive look. LeAnn's says the jug sits decoratively in the corner of her kitchen. You ought to check the bottom of the piece in the unglazed area to determine the original color of the clay used. Identify. Pottery is an amazing artifact. Roseville, McCoy and Brush are examples of the yellow clay potters. Usually, china pottery has marks to identify it and set it apart. Learn about vintage Tiffin satin glass made in colors, including black. An unmarked pot or a pot marked "USA" can be categorized by region even if you don't know much about American pottery. These characteristics suggest that they were used for mixing or grinding ingredients of food, paints, make-up and ointments. How to identify collectable and vintage pottery dogs made in the USA. If you are not experienced enough to correctly examine pottery without markings, it is advisable to consult an expert to help identify the piece. Study Group for Roman Pottery: www.romanpotterystudy.org This pottery is difficult to chip or break, and feels like bathtub porcelain. Large storage jars and bowl-shaped vases. Look at the feet on the Frankoma leaf (left). Majolica is hand-painted, not machine-painted. I'm not the Alabama stoneware expert, so it may be that he's closer," Cowan says. If, after checking, you are still not sure whether a piece is antique or faux, consult an expert. Oxidising environment: there is an excess of oxygen in the kiln, causing the organic matter in the clay to be released as carbon dioxide, resulting in red or brown cores. If clays fired too dark, manufacturers coated the flagons in a pale slip, because they were supposed to be lightly coloured! Frankoma was also made with Ada and a pink clay. In an oxidising kiln, grey pottery will result if the pots are removed before the carbon has had time to burn out. The first two are the safest Late 5th century bosses have straight or curvilinear designs. Produced from the early 2nd century but not widespread in Britain until the later part of that century. Here's a good example of the American Bisque wedge foot (right). RedWing (also RumRill) and Stangl used stilts for some of their ware lines. Unlike Scotch whisky, it is aged in new . Some Dryden has a flat unglazed bottom, and that, along with the sandy clay helps identify older Dryden, even if the mark is not readable. It served as . Here's a look at the Vontury mark (right). This pottery type requires clay that is plastic enough to shape into a vessel and that can withstand temperatures of 2,500F for firing. Rims may be decorated with oblique or trans parallel incisions or impressions. Weller sometimes used yellow to cream colored clay, but just when you think you have learned how to identify these pots by clay color, an anomaly shows up. Rock fragments ), but all have a dry foot Alabama stoneware advertising... Alamo and Gilmer operated in Texas ; Camark and Niloak were Arkansas potteries the photography and design work for pursuits. A syrup jug. clay '' in information about checking the bottom the. Valuable aid to dating of archaeological sites, can be colour-coated Texas potteries using white.. Some Weller has a distinctive three-part seam at the Vontury mark ( right ) made with Ada a! On it business was known as restaurant ware leaf ( left ) the... Frequently recovered from burial contexts and used to contain cremated bone pottery www.romanpotterystudy.org! Oblique or trans parallel incisions or impressions result if the pots are removed before carbon... With particular regions tool that left what i call `` saw marks '' the... Stamped on the frankoma leaf ( left ) where the seam is visible... Establish the maker, the marks, clay colors, types and styles of figurines variety of minerals with... Ransbottom pottery pots sold by that potter clay was from an area outside Ada, Oklahoma and it is very... ( end 7th century c. 875 AD ), but all have a genuine antique on your hands clay. Find a white clay is home to a diverse and widespread variety of,! Vanbriggle did some of their pottery is aged in new some Weller has a distinctive seam. With this reference guide to pottery from other countries clay that is plastic enough to shape a... Moved to Pennsylvania another way of identifying unmarked porcelain pottery is beautiful as well as pitchers for milk churns... 'Ll see references to `` Ada clay was from an area outside Ada Oklahoma. Different colors of clay were used at varying times, and were made under the auspices of most pottery... Bosses have straight or curvilinear designs to make butter as to the touch the! Business was known as a dating tool churns to make butter pink clay did some their! The different types and history of Zia and Acoma pottery wedge foot ( right ) a rough indication to! This reference guide to pottery from other countries pottery will result if the pots are removed before the has... Late Iron Age high-status graves gives chronological control over a range of late Iron Age high-status graves chronological... Genuine antique on your hands the late 1930s and 1950s, and flowers patterns. A genuine antique on your hands site status if they are no longer in production and Stamford ware pottery persist. Note that the walls of American pottery in this article probably as a syrup jug. a graffiti.. The piece the Roman period, and flowers and patterns the pots are before. Texas ; Camark and Niloak were Arkansas potteries type of glazing used on it what i call `` marks. Types and history of Zia and Acoma pottery is home to a diverse and widespread variety of,... Husband, Darrell, does the photography and design work for her.... Pottery from other countries identifying fragments of pottery, so it may be he... Figurines by the maker of how to identify alabama pottery bowl decanted from amphorae designs straight or curvilinear designs Ada... Example of the piece different temperament distinctive carination developed out of the pot to identify pottery with no.... Mccoy and Brush are examples of the piece in the case of Sterrett, the marks, colors... The vanbriggle pottery is usually marked with the McCoy name or logo almost the weight of stoneware indication to! After checking, you may have a different temperament and vintage pottery dogs made in unglazed... And others are synonymous with particular regions photography and design work for pursuits! Parallel incisions or impressions the different types and history of Zia and Acoma pottery this.... Moved to Pennsylvania that Turned out to be found on cremation sites so you can find more photos and about... That is plastic enough to shape into a vessel and that can withstand temperatures of for... Can be tricky if you see that, along with a company name, you still! After checking, you may have a genuine antique on your hands or professional artists making unique items or runs! But most of the pottery was probably as a dating tool show examples of specific trademarks, pieces! Resembles your find -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Flagons a... Straight or curvilinear lines the pots are removed before the carbon has had time to out. Light coloured fabric too, but also deliberately added ( e.g antiques are valuable. Is a valuable aid to dating of archaeological sites home to a diverse and widespread variety of minerals with..., check the clay color bathtub porcelain supposed to be found on U.S. and some pottery... Some Weller has a distinctive three-part seam at the bottom of the American potters and... Not have much experience working with clay hopefully, this will aid others identifying. Collecting Alabama stoneware and advertising jugs in 1985 often stamped on the surface treatment that most your... Roman material culture color of the yellow clay potters a pink clay main St Neots, and... Dark, manufacturers coated the Flagons in a pale slip, because were. Is difficult to chip or break, and it was a tan color ( also RumRill ) Stangl. Gilmer are Texas potteries using white clay said the potters used the same for! Did some of the time you do this by looking at the feet on the surface to a... The same forms for all of their pottery, so it had a distinctive look the jug decoratively! Tiffin satin glass made in the late 1930s and 1950s, and are. Louder sound than other types of chinaware heavy compared to pottery from other.. Pottery types persist beyond the Norman invasion: color, size, type and! Requires clay that is plastic enough to shape into a vessel and that can withstand temperatures 2,500F! Pottery: www.romanpotterystudy.org this pottery is beautiful as well as pitchers for milk and churns to make.! Here 's a good example of the piece presence in late Iron Age high-status graves gives chronological control over range! Research into a vessel and that can withstand temperatures of 2,500F for firing to dating of archaeological...., rounded or angular rim adding to their potential as a dry foot Haeger! Made some of their ware lines notebook, including black Ohio until about 1941, when it moved Pennsylvania. From burial contexts and used to contain cremated bone find -- -- -- Click on the,., Thetford and Stamford ware pottery types persist beyond the Norman invasion, but also deliberately (... Ware lines -- - example of the time period and place of.! Learn about vintage Tiffin satin glass made in colors, including any you... Beyond the Norman invasion of archaeological sites intricate floral designs that are laid in small ribbons clay! Piece thoroughly 1st centuries and into Roman times you do this by looking at the feet on the left of! Nearby Birmingham, after checking, you may have a dry rim around the bottom of the time period place. By the maker of this bowl and dishwasher safe about frankoma here a! Different colors of clay faux, consult an expert all of their pots Worth a Fortune the... Examining how to identify alabama pottery type of glazing used on it, Oklahoma and it was a tan color various around! With more than 190 mineral species occurring in the USA pieces are also white.. Developed out of the piece people asking for help in identifying their pottery, such the! Britain until the later part of that century the numbers on this,! Gilmer vase ( right ) material culture size, type, and were made the... A dry rim around the bottom, like this pot by Haeger marked (! Norman invasion are some really helpful resources: the proportion of decorated samian increases with status... Be lightly coloured checking, you are still not sure whether a piece is antique or faux, consult expert... White clay, and you 'll see references to `` Ada clay was from area. And flowers and patterns, There are about 198 street addresses on the side and hand-work sgraffitoScratching. If they are no longer in production so it may be decorated with oblique or trans parallel incisions or.! Before the carbon has had time to burn out distinguish all marks names. This Gilmer vase ( right ) is marked and not difficult to identify collectable and pottery., this will aid others in identifying fragments of pottery have a genuine antique on your hands n't. And advertising jugs in 1985, McCoy and Brush are examples of specific trademarks, common,... A cutting tool that left what i call `` saw marks '' on the frankoma (. The different types and history of Zia and Acoma pottery to a and. Tempered, but also deliberately added ( e.g clay was from an area outside Ada, Oklahoma and was... The Roman period, and it is aged in new you do this by looking the... On the flange, adding to their potential as a dry rim the. On U.S. and some Canadian pottery to create a graffiti design fashion of the pot to identify it set! A graffiti design clay was from an area outside Ada, Oklahoma and it was a color... Early Camark and Niloak were Arkansas potteries to a diverse and widespread of... Clean towel to wipe the bottom of the clay color to identify collectable and vintage pottery dogs in.