Van Briggle Lorelei Vase Value Guide

The Lorelei vase is the definitive signature piece of Van Briggle Pottery, featuring a hauntingly elegant female figure that seamlessly integrates into the vessel's organic form. Created around 1905 by Artus Van Briggle after his training in France, this design remains a pinnacle of the American Art Nouveau movement.

What Is Van Briggle Lorelei Vase Worth?

The typical price range for Van Briggle Lorelei Vase is $300 - $400 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Age of the casting, with early 1905-1920 examples generally commanding higher prices than mid-century reproductions.
• The rarity and depth of the matte glaze color, particularly the iconic 'Persian Rose' or 'Ming Blue' shades.
• Overall condition, specifically looking for chips or 'flea bites' on the delicate edges of the figure's face and fingers.
• The clarity of the mold, as older pieces exhibit much sharper detail in the facial features and flowing hair than later, worn-down molds.

How to Identify Van Briggle Lorelei Vase?

• Look for the incised 'AA' logo, which stands for Artus and Anne Van Briggle, typically found on the base.
• Examine the glaze for the company's signature soft, non-reflective matte finish developed in Colorado Springs.
• Check for the 'Van Briggle' name and 'Colo. Spgs.' marks, though styles of these marks varied significantly between 1905 and 1930.
• Verify the integration of the figure; authentic Lorelei designs show the woman's hair and arms flowing naturally into the rim of the ceramic.

History of Van Briggle Lorelei Vase

The Lorelei vase is one of the most recognizable designs from Van Briggle Pottery, founded by Artus Van Briggle in Colorado Springs in 1901. Artus, a master potter trained in France, developed distinctive matte glazes and flowing Art Nouveau forms. The Lorelei design, with its elegant female figure emerging from the vase, was created around 1905 and became a signature piece, embodying the organic and graceful lines of the Art Nouveau movement. Production continued for decades, with various color glazes and slight variations, making it a beloved collectible among pottery enthusiasts.