Did I Find a Piece of Art Pottery??

Sometimes you see an item at a yard sale, thrift store or estate sale and you just know it’s something! That’s how I felt when I saw this unique ceramic jug/vase/thingy at my local Goodwill. It was all sinuous lines, oversized handles and swirly blue/brown/green glaze and my gut was telling me “Put it in the basket. Put it in the basket.” I balked at the price a little, but decided it was too fabulous to leave behind.

I believe it’s a piece of Art Pottery (1870-1930) and with its curved handles that end in petals, it seems particularly Art Nouveau (1890-1914) to me. The rest of the jug, including the color fits that period as well.

Artists drew inspiration from both organic and geometric forms, evolving elegant designs that united flowing, natural forms resembling the stems and blossoms of plants. The emphasis on linear contours took precedence over color, which was usually represented with hues such as muted greens, browns, yellows, and blues. –The Art Story

It reminds me just a smidge of this Art Nouveau Charles Messier vase…similar mottled glaze, elongated sculptural handles, bulbous bottom.

But is mine from the Art Nouveau period or even a piece of Art Pottery as I am hoping or is it much later??

There are handwritten numbers on the bottom and one impressed number that appears to be 2578 and what looks like a small “R.” But so far I haven’t been able to find out anything about it. Not one thing. I’ve googled various descriptors, looked at images till my eyes were blurry, did a reverse image search, checked pottery marks and the numbers and have come up bupkis. Drat!

I’m going to keep researching this, but I’ll also post some photos to various online antique forums to tap the knowledge there. I know this vase/jug may be nothing. Just a quirky ceramic piece. But I still feel like it’s something and regardless a darn cool Goodwill find in my books.

I’ll keep you posted if I find out anything.

Happy hunting!