67: A RARE AND UNIQUE ART POTTERY VASE ATTR VAN BRIGGLE

(Circa 1920s)
An unsigned Art Nouveau influence pottery vase with figural nude displaying the glaze, styling, and clay body attributes of art pottery made by the Van Briggle Pottery company of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Nearly identical examples have been found with full Van Briggle marks, though the female figure varies in a number of ways, is less artful, and the glaze is more monochromatic without the blue highlights seen here.

The most similar example to this vase was sold by Ivey-Selkirk auction house in St. Louis on November 15 of 2008 for $2000.00. That vase was listed as being by Artus and Anne Van Briggle, with the title of the piece listed as 'Spring.' The leaves on that vase were not flat molded like other examples, though they were not as pronounced as seen here.

Similar pieces referred to as the ''Anna Van'' model are similar but with a completely different positioning of the figure and leaves that are molded flat in low relief rather than sculpted three dimensionally. According to some sources, the ''Anna Van'' vase has been made since around 1925.

A less detailed example in mulberry glaze, and with a more erect female figure and flat-molded leaves is pictured on the artusvanbriggle.com website page titled Early Van Briggle Examples.

The vase being offered here was purchased from Neal Auction in New Orleans in February of 2005 where it was listed as being from a New Orleans estate.
Measures 18.5 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches.
Very good condition, noting overall crazing and two flakes from the base rim. There are no other chips, cracks or repairs.
$1,500 - $2,500