Feats of clay
Q: I bought the terracotta tile seen in this photo several years ago at an antiques mall. The colors are bold and rich against the black background and it measures 6 inches by 6 inches. I collect tiles, but because it is unmarked and no one knew anything about it, I was reluctant to purchase it. In any event, after looking at it for over a year, and since it was in excellent condition and was only $20, I bought it. It must have been part of a grouping of tiles because his tail feathers are missing. I have wondered if it was part of a fireplace surround.
What can you tell me about its history, age, and value?
A: Taylor Tilery made your tile in Santa Monica, Calif. They were a subsidiary of Santa Monica Brick Co. from 1931 to 1939. Your tile was made using cuerda seca (dry cord), a Spanish process. Images were outlined with wax-coated dry cords that turned black during the firing.
Many of Taylor's tiles were set in wood frames and used as small tabletops. Others were framed for wall hangings. It is possible your tile was part of a fireplace surround, but unlikely.
Your circa 1931 tile would probably be worth $100 to $150.
Q: I have enclosed the mark that is on the bottom of a pottery vase that I bought so long ago that I don't remember where I found it or how much I paid. The vase is round, about 4 inches tall and decorated with a wine-colored, shiny glaze. Also included in the mark are the numbers "1930."
Please provide any information you can on the mark, vintage, and value of my vase.
A: Pisgah Forest Pottery made your vase. The mark you enclosed showing a potter sitting at his potter's wheel was used from 1920 to 1961. Walter B. Stephen founded his pottery in Mount Pisgah, near Arden, N.C., in 1901. All pottery was hand thrown by accomplished potters and both his Cameo line and Crystalline glaze are prized by collectors.
FYI: Pisgah means "high place" in Hebrew and according to the Bible is where Moses saw the Promised Land from Mount Nebo.
"1930" is the date your vase was made and its value would probably be $275 to $375.
Q: I inherited a turquoise pottery vase from my mother who received it from a fellow artist. On the bottom are a double "A" back to back and the words " Van Briggle - Colorado Springs - 1906." The vase stands approximately 6 inches tall and is decorated with a geometric Arts and Crafts design.
I would like to learn more about it and also would like to know its value.
A: Van Briggle Pottery is located in Colorado Springs, Colo., and "1906" is the year you vase was made. The pottery was founded by Artus Van Briggle along with his wife, Anna, in 1900. It has been sold several times since the early 1900s and is still in business. The back-to-back letters represent the Van Briggles' first-name initials.
The value of your vase would probably be $1,000 to $1,200.
Q: In 1956 my family bought a house in Bloomington, Ind., and we found a white ironstone platter in the cellar. Marked on the bottom are the letters "K. T. & K." and also the image of a buffalo.
Any information you can provide will be appreciated.
A: Knowles, Taylor and Taylor made your platter. They were located in East Liverpool, Ohio, from 1870 to 1929. The "buffalo" mark was used from 1878 to 1885.
The value of your platter would probably be $50 to $75.
Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.
Antique Or Junque