Collectible Pottery

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Collectible pottery and antique pottery is one of the best investments you can make. No two pieces of pottery are the same. Each has it’s own design and feel, which can run from the wild and colorful to mild and subdued. Over the years, collectors have come to learn that collecting pottery not only beautifies the home and thrills the senses, but the pieces they grow to love also grow in value.

Collectible pottery and antique pottery has become such an enamored past time that pottery festivals and kiln firings draw huge crowds from all over the world. When local potters here in the Sandhills open their kilns a few times each year, collectors and buyers often camp out the night before to get a place in line at the crack of dawn. Potters often let buyers wander through the shop the day before to get an idea on which pieces they want to buy.

Antique pottery and collectible pottery throughout history and the world have been sought after for years. From early "redware" created by early settlers to unique historical pieces from all over the world, the possibilities are endless. Pottery that was bought for just a few dollars some 6 or 7 years ago can now bring hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Some collectors have family names and brands that they seek out. Some of these include Hull, Roseville, McCoy, Frankoma, and Bennington Potters. Here is a little information on each of these successful pottery business owners.

Hull Pottery, from its early stoneware items to it’s full-scale business, has a rich history. The company is most famous for its Little Red Riding Hood cookie jar, a piece surrounded by a great deal of controversy. Frankoma began in 1933 and continued production through to 2004, when it was sold. Best known for its green glaze, Frankoma pieces have only recently gained a great deal of popularity with collectors. McCoy Pottery produced a vast list of pieces throughout its eighty-year history.

Despite many corporate and structural changes, McCoy prevailed as a successful American pottery company. Roseville pottery, an American company that began in 1890, remains one of the most popular lines in collectible history. Bennington Potters began in the mid-1960s and currently offers a variety of stoneware products. The pieces range from basic to stylish to contemporary, yet maintain the integrity of creator, David Gil.

Although all of these brands are great, if you’re looking for sheer enjoyment, AND return on investment, the Sandhills area of NC and Pottery Country is a collectible pottery heaven. Comparatively speaking, the prices that you can buy these unique pieces for are like stealing. Each piece unique, vibrant and moving, these platters, jugs, pots and treasures made from our rich “clay country” soil will not only enrich your life, they will enrich your wallet long term. As early as 10 years ago, many of the most sought after potters and pottery families of today, were relatively unknown. Now some of their works are going for thousands of dollars each.

And they’re still here, turning and firing every day. And as time goes by, the more collectible and valuable these pieces will become. You can also pass it down through generation after generation. Think of the value it may have for your grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Some of my most favorite memories and conversations with my grandparents were when they’ve handed family pieces down to me, which I will in turn pass on to my kids.

Once you understand that it’s not only an investment, but a memory creator, with huge upside, it’s easy to understand why collectible pottery has such a huge following. All pieces are collectible and coveted at some point, but the joy and beauty that these pieces bring to your life is priceless. Once you educate yourself on designs, firing techniques, each craftsman’s style and “fingerprint”, you’ll slowly start to imagine pieces that will perfectly reside in your home or place of business. And just when you thought you’d seen every style, design and color, you come across that incredible find that is completely different from anything you’ve ever seen. A texture, color and glaze that one unique event in the firing process has created at one unique point in time that's flawless. At this point your heart flutters and you fall in love all over again. Thus begins the next step of your pottery journey.

One of the greatest places to start your journey is the “pottery highway” right here in the Sandhills of NC. Spend a couple of days here, browsing and wandering through the literally hundreds of shops, looking at some of the collectible pottery, and you’ll be hooked. And take some extra time to wander through that small, unheard of and unknown potter’s shop, while you’re here. With pottery heritage here going back 6, 7, and 8 generations, their pieces may be the priceless artifacts everyone is clamoring for in years to come.

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