Dating Van Briggle Pottery

Van Briggle pottery can be dated using a number of different clues. The primary way of establishing a date or date range is from the bottom markings. In addition, the color of the clay used and the color of the glaze are helpful in identifying the time period of manufacture.

From 1900 to 1907, the year of manufacture is incised on the bottoms of nearly all pieces of Van Briggle pottery. Again from 1912 to 1919 most pieces of Van Briggle have a date incised or stamped on the bottom. Instead of the date, some pieces from the late teens have a 9 (which was apparently a finisher's mark) that only appeared on Van Briggle pieces during that period below the Van Briggle logo and the inscribed Van Briggle. For the year 1919 there is either a 19 inscribe on each side of the Van Briggle logo (without the inscribed Van Briggle) or a single '19 inscribed below the Van Briggle logo and the inscribed Van Briggle. Again in 1920 there is a 20 inscribed below the the Van Briggle logo and the inscribed Van Briggle.

The challenge lies in dating pieces from 1907-1912 and after 1920. Actually, pieces from between 1907-1912, even though they are not dated, all have very similar marks. Finisher's marks appear to the left or on both sides of the Van Briggle logo, inscribed below that Van Briggle, Colo. Spgs. and at the bottom the design number. Van Briggle pieces made between 1922 and 1926 have the Van Briggle logo, incised below VAN BRIGGLE and U.S.A. incised below.

Another mark that appeared in the 1920's has the Van Briggle logo, incised below is VAN BRIGGLE (in block letters), Colo. Spgs. The same mark is found on pottery into the 1930's. At some point in the 1920's the color of the clay used by Van Briggle changed from a flat light blonde to a slightly darker beige usually covered with a lacquer finish.

After 1930 the bottom markings changed from using block letter for Van Briggle to upper and lower case or script. The Van Briggle logo, with Van Briggle inscribed and Colo. Spgs. below in upper and lower case or script still appear. For more information on later markings see "The Collector's Encyclopedia of Van Briggle" by Sasicki & Fania (see bottom of page).

The glaze color of Van Briggle pottery has changed over the years. In the early years from 1902-1912 Van Briggle offered pottery in numerous colors, greens, blues, mustard, browns, aqua, raspberry and often allowed the clay to show through the glaze, enhancing the depth and character of the color.

After 1912 Van Briggle offered a more limited range of colors. Between 1912 and 1920 the colors were turquoise, blue, maroon, brown, green and yellow. Between 1920 and 1930 the same color scheme remained in effect with diminished use of green and yellow. Even though the color scheme remained more or less the same the use of color is somewhat less interesting after 1920 and Van Briggle no longer uses the clay as part of the color scheme.

The two best references on Van Briggle pottery are the Collector's Encyclopedia of Van Briggle and the Collector's Guide to Van Briggle Pottery. The Collector's Encyclopedia of Van Briggle has lots of photos and good information. The Collector's Guide to Van Briggle Pottery has fewer photos but has excellent information on dating and a guide to nearly every shape produced by Van Briggle prior to 1920.