Getting Started Collecting Art Pottery
Have you inherited a piece of art pottery and are now waiting to start an entire collection for yourself? Perhaps you came across art pottery at an acquaintance’s house and discovered an inner fascination to become a collector yourself.
Have you inherited a piece of art pottery and are now waiting to start an entire collection for yourself? Perhaps you came across art pottery at an acquaintance’s house and discovered an inner fascination to become a collector yourself. Beginner art pottery collectors are often unsure of their collecting interests. Some want to have a collection of art pottery for decorative purposes while others are interested in the financial investment. While it is important to start collecting art pottery that you like, you must also take into consideration several factors including condition, value, and the makers.
What Should You Collect?
There are a handful of popular art pottery makers including the Roseville line, Rookwood, Van Briggle, and Weller to collect. These collections are easier to find because more of them are available on the market. Starting out with common makers is also beneficial for those who want to continue adding on or start trading their pottery.
Some individuals focus on collecting only one artist’s line of pottery while others do a mixture. As you become a more knowledgeable and experienced art pottery collector, you may decide to look for pottery with a certain style and pattern or from a certain time period. Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to collect.
As a beginner, do some research to see what type of pottery or which artist’s pottery you are interested in. This will make a good starting point. Collecting art pottery is a journey where you will continuously learn and eventually gravitate to something so particular that only you and a few others will understand the meaning. Therefore, the answer to what you should collect is open-ended as it can evolve as the collector inside you evolves.
Paying Attention to Condition
The condition of the art pottery you select is an important factor to always consider. Like any other collectible, art pottery in mint condition has the most value. Although budget is often a determining factor on what you collect, the last thing a beginner should do is buy a damaged piece of art pottery just because it is more affordable. This will impact the value of your collectible and its trading value. In other words, if another collector knows that he can find your same damaged piece in mint condition, he will wait to find the better quality version.
Collecting mint pieces is a definite must for beginners until they begin to get a better grasp of how damage affects value and what options there are for restoration. Additionally, very rare pieces that have some damage continue to have value where as more popular pieces can lose their value.
Expand Your Knowledge
Enjoying art pottery for its beauty and value is one thing, but having a true passion for your hobby is another. To really become an esteemed collector, if this is in your interest to do so, you must constantly educate yourself about the collectibles you are seeking. Learn about their history, read books, talk to people, join groups and be open to trading.
It’s a vast world out there with art pottery, especially when it comes to the popular makers. Know what you like and why you like it. While learning, dive into information that will teach you about value as it may become important for the future. The more knowledgeable you are, the more passionate you will become and your collection will reflect this.
Resources:
Dave Wills is the author of this article on Collectible Pottery.
Find more information about Art Pottery here.
