Art Pottery - High quality, decorative pieces, usually designed and sometimes decorated by artists.

Cowan - An Ohio pottery operated by Guy Cowan from 1909-1931 which produced art pottery, tiles, and both commercial and limited edition wares. Most well known for distinctive glazes and designs by fine artists.

Fulper - Begun in the early 19th century, Fulper was incorporated in 1899 in Maine and began producing artware in 1909. It was taken over by Stangl after a fire which destroyed the plant in 1929. The most desirable wares are those produced before this takeover.

Grueby - Begun in 1894 and known by various names, Grueby produced tiles and hand-thrown art pottery in Arts and Crafts style. Best known for a cucumber green glaze which typifies the Arts & Crafts look.

Hull - A Zanesville, Ohio pottery, begun in 1905 and lasting until 1985. They produced a wide variety of types of wares, including many artware lines, dinnerware, kitchenware, and cookie jars, all of which are collectable today. Some fakes have been reported, particularly in the "Red Riding Hood" line, and a few for the matte-glazed art wares.

McCoy - Under various names, McCoy operated in Roseville, Ohio from 1910 through 1981. As with other long-lived companies, they produced a wide range of wares which are all heavily collected today. Artware has a very distinctive look to the design. Collectors should be aware that the name and mark was recently adopted by a new manufacturer which has been reproducing items. Study marks carefully to learn the very slight differences.

Rookwood - The "granddaddy" of American Art Pottery, this Ohio pottery was founded in 1879, and operated until 1967. From finely painted artist's works to excellent production ware, Rookwood led the way, and their works (particularly those produced before the Depression) remain in very high demand.

Roseville - From 1892 to 1954, Roseville Pottery Co. Inc. operated in both Roseville and Zanesville, Ohio, producing a huge variety of art pottery lines which are all highly sought by today's collectors. Collectors should be wary of imported reproductions which are flooding the country.

Studio Pottery (various) - Studio pottery is pottery produced in a small plant or home studio, usually by one artist who is responsible for the design of all molds or hand- turning and glazing. These may or may not have been commercially successful at the time of operation, but the wares are considered to be works of art by their collectors. Most highly valued are works by artists who achieved some type of professional recognition during their lifetimes. Although the work of hobbyists may be included in this category, artistic merit of the item or the reputation of the artist is of utmost importance, as with any types of art.

Teco - Begun in 1886, the American Terra Cotta and Ceramic Co. did not begin making art pottery until 1901. From then until 1930, Teco produced Arts & Crafts style wares, gardenware, and tiles. The works are very highly sought after today.

Van Briggle - A Colour ado pottery, Van Briggle was begun in 1901 and is still operating today. Most desirable are early pieces (most were dated until 1920). The company continued to reissue early designs into the 1970s. Collectors should study Van Briggle pottery to learn how to date pieces.

Weller - Operating from 1882 until 1948 in Zanesville, Ohio, Weller made many different lines of art pottery, including figurals. Almost all, with the possible exception of late wares, are highly collected in today's market.

American Bisque - A West Virginia pottery operating from 1919 until 1982, this pottery is best known for figural cookie jars, banks, and planters. Often pieces are unmarked, but they may be identified by a pair of "cleats" on the bottom.

Brush/McCoy - Both Brush and Brush McCoy pottery items are widely collected. Their wonderful figural cookie jars are prized and buyers should be aware that several have been reproduced.

Various Makers - Jars produced by almost any manufacturer can find their way into a collection, if the figural subject is appealing to the collector. Values, of course, depend on the manufacturer and the demand for the jar.

Blue Ridge/Southern Potteries - A Tennessee pottery operating between the late 1930s to 1956, which produced over 2,000 different patterns of dinnerware. All designs were individually hand painted, and most are florals.

Coors - Still in business in Colour ado today (producing scientific ware), collectable pieces of Coors pottery were made prior to 1939. Their artware and the dinnerware line "Rosebud," a brightly coloured mix-and-match line is highly sought.

Franciscan/Gladding McBean - Although the Franciscan name and certain patterns are still in use by a successor company, Gladding McBean merged in 1962 with another company, resulting in the Interpace Corporation, and only wares produced before the merger are collectable. From 1975 until then, the company made many types of wares, but are best known for their dinnerware lines, especially the hand-painted, embossed lines such as Desert Rose©.

Hall - Founded in 1903, the Hall China Company is still in business. They are best known for restaurant ware, a wide array of teapot designs, and their "Autumn Leaf" pattern dinnerware, produced for the Jewel Tea Company.

Homer Laughlin China (Fiesta, Virginia Rose, and so on) - Begun in 1871 and still in business today, they have produced many of the most widely collected dinnerware patterns of this century, including Fiesta©, Harlequin©, and Virginia Rose©. Many other of their patterns are also eagerly sought.

Lenox/Ceramic Art Company - Begun in 1889 as the Ceramic Art Company, and continuing in operation today, Lenox has produced the official dinnerware for the White House since 1917.

Metlox - From 1927 until recently, this California company has produced a wide array of dinnerware patterns and cookie jars, as well as some art pottery.

Russel Wright - Items designed by Wright, and usually marked with his name, were produced under contract by several different companies. All are sought by collectors who focus on Wright, or on the modern wares produced in the mid-20th century. Work signed by Mary Wright, his wife, is also in demand.

Vernon Kilns - Operating from 1931 until 1958, Vernon, a California pottery, is best known for souvenir plates and dinnerware. Artware was also produced in smaller quantities, and all their products are collectable.

Watt - Begun in 1922 in Ohio, Watt operated until 1965, producing kitchenware and dinnerware that is highly sought by collectors today. Homey, hand-painted designs are most popular.

Boehm - Edward Marshall Boehm designed sculptures of birds, animals and flowers which continue to be produced by the company since Boehm's death in 1969. All are very much desired by collectors.

Ceramic Arts Studio - Figurines, figural salt and pepper shakers, and so on, produced between 1941 and 1955 by this Madison Wisconsin company have a distinctive look, enabling collectors to spot them even when they are not marked. A few pieces were produced by the owner, in Japan, from original molds after that date, and those are collectable as well.

Cordey/Cybis - Cordey began in 1942 in New Jersey, and the company's mark was used until the 1950s by Boleslaw Cybis. The Cybis company continues to produce fine limited-edition porcelain sculptures today.

Florence Ceramics - From the 1930s until 1964, this California company produced a variety of wares, but is best known for the lovely, hand-painted ceramic figures designed by Florence Ward.

Bennington/Rockingham - The term "Bennington" refers to pottery produced near Bennington, Vermont in the 19th century by both Norton and Fenton potteries. It has become a generic term meaning a mottled brown/yellow glaze on stoneware, which should actually be called "Rockingham."

Face Jugs - Pottery jugs with fanciful faces on them produced for the past 100 years by folk potters are much in demand. Each is handmade and unique, and even contemporary works are desirable to collectors.

Redware/Yellowware - Earthenware made of red clay, and produced in home kilns or small potteries for the past 400 years in the Americas. Most wares are utilitarian items such as bowls, churns, various tableware, and dairy jugs.

Abingdon - Operating between 1934 and 1950, Abingdon produced a wide variety of items. Known mostly for their cookie jars, collectors have recently discovered art wares, figurines, and other items produced by this company.

Bauer - This pottery was in business between 1885 and 1962. They are known to collectors for all the many types of wares produced, including "Ring" and other dinnerwares, art pottery, and gardenware.

Red Wing - Between 1878 and 1967, the Red Wing Stoneware Company produced traditional stoneware, modern dinnerwares, and art pottery, all of which are highly collectable today.

Shawnee - In business from 1937 until 1961, Shawnee produced kitchenwares, novelty items, dinnerware, and cookie jars. All the various lines produced are sought by collectors.

Stangl - With its roots in Fulper Pottery, Stangl operated until 1978. During this time, many types of wares were produced. Sculptural figurines of birds, dinnerware patterns, and art pottery are the best known.

San Ildefonso - Pottery produced during the 20th century in the San Ildefonso Pueblo, particularly that made by Maria & Julian Martinez, is highly sought by collectors. It is best known for the distinctive black-on-black decoration.

Various Tribes - The older works of any Native American tribes (North, Central, and South America) are highly sought. Individual makers are usually unknown, but a positive tribal identification increases value.

Pre-Columbian - Wares produced in the Americas prior to the arrival of Europeans.

Middle Eastern - Ancient pottery pieces from the Middle Eastern countries range from common utilitarian items to fine works of art.

Chinese Export - Wares produced for export to Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, often in designs modified for the European market.

Imari (China and Japan) - A variety of wares, distinguished often by panels of decoration, done in under-glaze blue, with enamels applied over the glaze in bright colours of red, yellow, and green.

Kutani - Japanese wares produced in the 19th century, decorated with much red and accented with gold designs.

Nippon - Items produced in Japan from around 1891 until about 1930 for export to the American market. They were marked with the Japanese name for Japan "Nippon," hence their name. The type of ware varies, but these wares were of much higher quality than the many reproductions which flood today's market. Collectors should be very wary in this area.

Noritake - A leading dinnerware producer since the beginning of this century, old Noritake items are always in demand among collectors.

Rose Medalion/ Rose Canton - Also known by other, similar names, this ware is distinguished by ornate, detailed decoration and heavy use of pinks or rose colours.

Satsuma - From Japan, this is a ware which is characterised by a crackle-glaze. Decoration ranges from simple to elaborate.

Boch Freres - Boch Freres Keramics company has operated since the 1840s, producing the foremost Belgian art pottery.

Bohemia - Porcelain items were produced by many manufacturers in this area during the past two centuries.

Czechoslovakia - Particularly desired are brightly painted items made during the early 20th century, but a wide variety of items were produced and are desirable today.

Royal Dux - Begun in 1860, this company produced beautiful sculptural art pottery. Nationalised after WWII, it is still in operation.

Teplitz-Amphora - Amphora is the best known of several companies that produced art pottery in the Turn-Teplitz area of Bohemia from around 1892 until the middle of this century.

Zsolnay - Established in 1862, this company is still operating, and today is the producer of "Herrend" porcelains. Both old and new works are highly collectable.

Chintz - China pieces decorated with all-over floral patterns.

Doulton/Royal Doulton - For two centuries, Doulton/Royal Doulton has been (and is still) a premier maker of fine porcelain wares, stoneware, figurines, character jugs, and dinnerware.

Flow Blue - Wares from about 1820 - 1920 which are heavily coloured with cobalt blue. The colour often flowed all the way through the ware.

Ironstone - A durable, heavy white pottery, produced throughout the 1800s, both plain white and decorated.

lustre Ware - Wares decorated with iridescent lustre glazes, produced by the use of metals in the glaze. Various types range from Sunderland lustre, Copper lustre, Pink lustre, and so on.

Majolica - Tin-glazed earthenware produced in many countries. Best known examples are the deeply coloured, naturalistic forms popular during the Victorian era.

Spode/Copeland Spode - In operation since 1770, Spode is best known for fine porcelain dinnerwares, which are still among the most desirable in the world.

Staffordshire - Wares produced in the Staffordshire area of England during the past 300 years.

Wedgwood - The quintessential English pottery, and now a consortium which owns several of the prestigious potteries mentioned above, Wedgwood has, since 1759, introduced and made Jasperware, Fine bone china, Queensware, lustreware, and many other fine art pottery, dinnerware, and utilitarian items.

Faience/Majolica - Earthenware which is glazed with tin or lead glazes, in bright, rich colours has often been produced in France. Majolica is collected regardless of manufacturer, but marks can help verify age and increase value.

Limoges/Haviland - From about 1770 up until today, potteries in this region have produced wares very popular in the US. Best known are the dinnerware patterns produced by Haviland.

Quimper - Known for its distinctive decoration often depicting peasant folk, this earthenware with bright coloured glazes has been made for almost 500 years.

Sarreguemines - This company, in operation since 1770, produced many types of items. Collectors look especially for their majolica ware.

Sevres/Sevres-style - This often-copied ware is known for deep colour, with fine hand painting and much gold decoration. Old wares designed to look like Sevres are known as "Sevres-style."

Schlegelmilch Porcelain:

Dresden - Dresden pottery comes from the Dresden area of Germany. They began manufacturing in the 17th century and continue to produce pottery today. Early wares, up until about 1930, are highly desirable.

Goebel/Hummel - Figurines based on the drawings of M.I. Hummel, and other figural lines such as Friar Tuck, continue to draw new collectors today. They are still being produced, and values depend on the age of the mark and rarity of the item.

Goldscheider - Included here because of the company's beginnings in Austria, this 20th century pottery later moved to the United States, and finally to Staffordshire England. Best known for porcelain figurines.

Mettlach/Villeroy & Boch - Operating from 1846 until today, this company is best known for artistic stoneware items. Early wares are particularly collectable, and steins are much in demand.

Rosenthal - Founded in 1879, and still in business today, producing fine porcelain wares. They are best known for their figurines.

Royal Bayreuth - Although currently in operation, collectors look for items produced before the 1940s. Dinnerwares and tea services made in figural shapes are the most easily recognizable of their wares.

Gouda - Wares produced in Gouda, Holland, by a number of different companies since the 18th century, are quite collectable. Most well known are brightly painted items in Art Nouveau styles.

Delft - The blue and white decorated items which originated in the town of Delft have been produced by various makers in several countries in the past 400 years.

Beleek - Produced since 1859, this distinctive, thin porcelain is still being made and retains its appeal for collectors, whether pieces are old or new. All is marked, and older pieces are most valuable.

Capo Di Monte/Capodimonte - Soft-paste porcelain, heavily modelled into lovely trinkets, floral pieces, figurines, and vases has been produced in Italy since 1743, and is still being produced today. Older pieces have the highest value, but more recent ones are seldom cheap. Due to the amount of detail, pieces are often damaged.

Majolica/Faience - Italian Majolica has a character all its own, and is collected along with tin-glazed wares of other countries.

Mid-Century Modern wares - Pottery items in modernistic shapes and designs flourished between the 1940s and late 1960s in Italy. Much was exported to the United States and finds a ready market among collectors today.

Bing and Grondahl - Most commonly known for their series of annual Christmas plates, issued every year since 1895, this Copenhagen company also produces other wares, including lovely figurines.

Royal Copenhagen - Founded in the 18th century, Royal Copenhagen is known for fine dinnerware and figurines, always in demand with collectors.

Gustavsberg - Although in business for 200 years, this Swedish pottery's best known wares among today's buyers are the modern-styled art wares produced from the 1930s into the 1970s.

Lladro - Founded in 1951 in Spain, Lladro figurines have become widely known and collected. They are still produced in limited editions.