Need it by 12/25? SHOP Ready-to-Ship Holiday Pop-Up Shop | Orders $100+ Ship FREE in continental US

The Enduring Value of Art Pottery: Lessons from Grueby

.

The Enduring Value of Art Pottery: Lessons from Grueby

When economic uncertainty looms, many investors seek tangible assets that bring both joy and potential capital gain. The remarkable story of Grueby Faience Company offers an interesting perspective on how quality craftsmanship appreciates beyond mere inflation.
 

Grueby’s Kendrick Vase, c. 1900

Handmade American Art Pottery

From Workshop to Auction House

The Grueby Faience Company produced exceptional Arts & Crafts pottery from 1894 until 1919. Their distinctive pieces, particularly those designed by George Prentiss Kendrick, originally sold for modest sums – around $50 for significant vases (approximately $1,900 in today’s dollars).
Handmade American Art Pottery
Handmade American Art Pottery
Handmade American Art Pottery
Handmade American Art Pottery
Fast forward to recent auctions, and we see Grueby pieces commanding impressive prices:
  • A 6¾-inch Grueby vase estimated at $7,000-9,000 sold for $431,250 at Sotheby’s in 2020 (an anomaly based on a crazy bidding war)
  • Seven-handled vases consistently selling between $33,000-46,250 at major auction houses
  • Standard vases with original estimates of $5,000-7,000 achieving final prices of $30,000 

Quality and Craftsmanship Stand the Test of Time

What makes Grueby Pottery’s value isn’t just scarcity—it’s the enduring quality and artistic merit of the work. Grueby pieces weren’t mass-produced commodities but carefully crafted artistic expressions. Their distinct aesthetic—organic forms with applied vertical elements and signature matte glazes—remains as appealing today as when first created.
Handmade American Art Pottery

The Ephraim Connection

Ephraim Pottery got its start making Grueby reproduction designs back in 1996 at the height of the Arts & Crafts Revival Movement. This timing coincided with growing collector esteem for historical Grueby pieces, as evidenced by the auction records from that same period.

While we have since expanded our artistic vision, we continue to be inspired by Grueby’s legacy. Their distinctive leaf and bud motifs have influenced many of our current designs, and we still offer our Seven-Handled Vase—a tribute to Kendrick’s iconic creation.
Handmade American Art Pottery

Beyond Financial Returns 

Collecting Ephraim pottery offers something more meaningful than just potential investment value. While we sure hope that our pottery will build value over time like Grueby Pottery, what truly matters is living with objects that bring daily joy and beauty.

In today’s world of mass production and disposable goods, handcrafted pottery represents an increasingly rare commitment to integrity and permanence. Each piece is created with the intention to last generations—not just as a potential store of value, but as a living part of your home that enriches your everyday experience.

The true value of exceptional craftsmanship lies in this dual nature: the cultural significance of supporting traditional artistry and the personal enjoyment of surrounding yourself with objects made with genuine care. This is why discerning collectors have always recognized that fine pottery offers rewards far beyond what can be measured in dollars alone. And, let’s face it, buying pottery is probably more fun than playing the stock market these days 😉

Disclaimer: If you are a financial analyst and we got something wrong here, please cut us some slack…we are just a bunch of artists who would love to own a piece of history like a Grueby Kendrick Vase. 

More From Our Blog

0