Grueby Pottery Vase, ca. 1905

Appraised on: July 9, 2011

Appraised in: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Appraised by: Riley Humler

Category: Pottery & Porcelain

Episode Info: Minneapolis, Hour 2 (#1617)

Originally Aired: May 14, 2012

IMAGE: 1 of 1  

Appraisal Video: (2:01)

GUEST: I bought it at an estate sale probably 15, 20 years ago. Paid probably less than $50 for it. I just thought it was ugly.

APPRAISER: You told me you like big green pots.

GUEST: Yeah.

APPRAISER: Which this is.

GUEST: Yeah.

APPRAISER: Grueby collectors like big organic pieces, and this one is extremely organic. Grueby's known for its green, thick, unctuous glazes.

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: In this case, there are a few places where the glaze is a little thin, which doesn't seem to bother Grueby collectors. These leaves are actually hand-built. Somebody took the time to make the individual leaves and curl them up near the rim. And that with the fact that it's meaty and heavy and big is a real plus. Most Grueby pieces were probably made about 1905. We could look at the marks.

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: The obvious mark is the Grueby Pottery mark here. Grueby Pottery, Boston.

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: A major maker of Arts and Crafts green pieces. He has the artist's, Wilhelmina Post's, mark right here, the WP together.

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: So we actually know that Wilhelmina did these leaves on the piece. So you think that you paid less than $50 for it?

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: Have you thought about what it might be worth today?

GUEST: About maybe $2,000 to $3,000.

APPRAISER: We figure, at auction, probably somewhere in the $10,000 to $15,000 range.

GUEST: Okay, that's... So that's not bad for a $50 investment.

APPRAISER: No, no, that's... that's kind of stunning.

GUEST: It's not as ugly anymore. (laughs)