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were created to extend the potter’s reach. But they can easily recognize the most commonly collected pottery and date
had upper body strength to mold and dig into the them, as the maker’s marks typically change over the years. Also,
clay and, once the potter’s wheel came along, a keep in mind that some companies employed multiple potters.
runner’s form and stamina to keep it spinning. Pieces bearing the mark of a particularly desirable artist may have a
When mass-producing pottery, there could be higher value than other pieces produced at the same
multiple people working on the same pot – from company but by other potters.
the one creating the physical pot to a sculptor
working on the design and final shaping to the fine Tips for Collecting Pottery Yourself
artist applying color followed by someone handling As the oldest synthesized substance on Earth,
the glazing and then the ones doing the firing. You could say pottery comes in a plethora of forms, ages,
it took a village to create multiple pieces after the crafter conditions, and uses. Before you begin collecting it,
creates the original.
you need to set boundaries. Researching pottery
online or reading books dedicated to collecting
Commonly Collected Pottery pottery is a good way to familiarize yourself with
Obviously, most of the earliest pottery pieces are your options.
more likely to be found in museums than in private When you find yourself ready to start collecting
collections. However, there are plenty of types of pottery pottery, you can also save yourself some money by
anyone can easily collect today. Pottery is collectible based on its using all the resources available to you. Since
type, such as earthenware or stoneware, or by maker or pottery is so popular, you can find it almost any-
artist. Popular antique pottery producers include where. You may have relatives willing to part with
examples from China and the Orient; American pieces you like. There may even be pottery with
works from Roycroft, Rookwood, and Roseville; some value already in your home that you didn’t even
Native American pots with their striking symbols know about. In addition to that, you can find great deals
and artwork; and European examples from France, in shops, at flea markets and garage sales, and online. Just be aware
England, Italy (particularly Majollica) that inspecting pottery in person whenever possible is ideal if you
Most manufacturers and makers signed their care seriously about its condition. Pottery purchased online may
work using stamped or otherwise marked their have imperfections of which you are not aware. It also has the
pottery pieces. By learning those maker’s marks you potential to break during shipment. Insure the package and play it safe!
Top to Bottom: Examples of Redware, Dalpayrat, Rookwood, Southwest, Martin Brothers

“A World of Weaving” continued from page 16
Quite boggling to the mind and to the eye is the fact that tapestry Plenty to Collect
art was often executed on a grand scale, such as those in the Biltmore. For collectors, weaving is one of the broadest categories with
One of the greatest in scale is The Apocalypse series of tapestries possibly the most types of items available. A brief list includes:
which measures 6 meters high and 140 meters long; it depicts 90
scenes from the Book of Revelation. These tapestries were created for • All periods and styles of clothing – and it doesn’t have to be Marilyn
Louis I, the Duke of Anjou, in Paris in the later 1300s. Such epic works Monroe’s Subway Dress that sold for $4.6 million or Dorothy’s Wizard
of art required many weavers with several working at the same time of Oz blue gingham dress that went for $1.56 million.
on the same line in the tapestry, each assigned about a meter in
width to weave. • Basketry – Shaker, Longaberger, Native American, and baskets from
pretty much every country and culture.

• Rugs – from Persian to Peruvian.
The Apocalypse Tapestry in Angers,
The most expensive rug sold to date
France, 6 x 140 meters
is the Sickle-Leaf carpet from the
Photo by Gribeco, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Clark Collection that was auctioned
for $34.8 million in 2013 at
Sotheby’s; it was woven in the 17th
century and measures approximately
8 feet 9 inches by 6 feet 5 inches.

• Modern and antique tapestries
• Mid-Century upholstered chairs

• Even different types of hand-
looms, from lap looms to 45-thread
looms and beyond.
Tapestries in Medieval Europe were the dominant artform of the
well-to-do, and that carried forward over the centuries. “Until the 19th The Corcoran Gallery of Art’s Clark A Weaver’s World
century, tapestries were often ordered in Europe by the ‘room’ rather Sickle-Leaf Carpet, from the collec- From one point of view, it could
than by the single panel. A ‘room’ order included not only wall hangings tion of William Clark, was sold at be said that it is a weaver’s world.
but also tapestry weavings to upholster furniture, cover cushions, and auction for $33 million. Now and throughout the ages,
bed canopies and other items,” according to Britannica.com. something woven has always been
To assist weavers, artists were hired to draw “cartoons,” not those we nearby, and most often, it is touching us. Very few fields of collecting
are familiar with but drawings of the actual pictures to be woven into can say that – if any.
the tapestry. “You’re welcome,” says the weaver.

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