Anna Van Mark

Q: I have a piece of Van Briggle pottery marked “Anna Van, Colo. Spgs.” It’s 11 inches high. When was it made and what is its value?

A: Van Briggle pottery was started by Artus Van Briggle in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after 1901. His wife, Anne, operated the pottery after he died in 1904. She died in 1929. Some people think “Anna Van” was meant to honor her. Others think it was used to identify pieces made for Van Briggle by Dryden Pottery in Ellsworth, Kansas. Van Briggle bought Dryden Pottery in 1954 and pieces marked “Anna Van” were designed and made there from 1954 to 1956, then shipped to Colorado to sell. In 1956, molds, clay, and glazes were moved to Colorado Springs, where production of “Anna Van” continued. Dryden’s glossy glazes didn’t work well on the type of clay used by Van Briggle, so Dryden’s formula for white clay was used. Van Briggle continued to make pieces marked “Anna Van” until 1968. The Van Briggle pottery closed in 2012. Your Anna Van ewer is worth about $50.

Van Briggle Bud Vase

Q: I came across an early Van Briggle Pottery piece. It has a hairline crack along the rim, but otherwise seems to be in decent condition. I know a little about Van Briggle and knew it was worth bringing home. The mark lists it as Model 222, made in 1905. I’m hoping you might be able to authenticate the mark. Judging by the estate, there is little reason to doubt its authenticity, but many of the marks I see online appear to be more organic, and this one seems to have a stamped quality to it, especially in the “222” marking.

A: Shape numbers were stamped on early pieces of Van Briggle pottery. Other marks vary because they were done by hand. The double letter “A” stands for Artus and Anne. The pottery was started by Artus Van Briggle in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after 1901. His wife, Anne, took over when he died in 1904. The company closed in 2012. It’s impossible to tell if your vase is an original or a fake from a picture. It should be seen by an expert. The hairline crack lowers the value a lot.

Van Briggle Candleholder

Q: I have a pair of wine-colored candleholders, each with a square mark with lines through it. The candleholders are 6 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide. One of them has a small nick at the point. Can you tell me who made them and when they were made?

 

A: The mark on your candleholders was used by Van Briggle Pottery of Colorado Springs, Colo. The company was founded by Artus Van Briggle in 1901. He died in 1904, and his wife took over management of the pottery. In 1969 Kenneth Stevenson, one of the pottery's employees, took over the company. He died in 1990, and his wife, Bertha, and son, Craig, then ran the pottery. Bertha died in 2010 and Craig is trying to sell the company. The mark on your candleholders doesn't include the name "Van Briggle," so the candleholders were made before 1920.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AA Mark

This incised AA mark can be found on art pottery made in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The pottery was founded by Artus Van Briggle in 1901. He made pottery with matte glazes and relief designs. Artus died in 1904 and his wife, Anne, continued to operate the pottery. This AA mark, standing for Artus and Anne, was used beginning in 1901. The Van Briggle Pottery was sold and resold several times, but is still in business and is making some of the original designs.