Thrift Store Pottery Gems You Shouldn’t Miss

Hunting through thrift stores for cool trinkets and beautiful finds is a fun way to spend a weekend. But sometimes, we might come across something that’s valued for more than just its looks. Some of the things we find in thrift stores have stories hidden within them, making them not just valuable in terms of money, but also rich in history. One brand you should always keep an eye out for is Marblehead.

Marblehead pottery was at the heart of the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the 20th century, a time when handmade pieces were valued and beauty was for everyone. Like other pottery companies back then, Marblehead has a really interesting story. It was started by Dr. Herbert Hall as a therapy workshop for women in a sanatorium. After he hired chemist and potter Arthur E. Baggs, the company grew, with more potters, designers, and decorators joining to create the works they’re famous for.

As a prominent Arts and Crafts pottery brand, handcrafted Marblehead pieces are highly sought-after and can be worth a lot. Some are even displayed in museums and exhibits across the country, like a vase at the . If you find one of these in a thrift store, it’s time to celebrate! Undecorated pieces can fetch a few hundred bucks, but decorated designs can be worth thousands.

To spot Marblehead pottery, it’s super important to know what you’re looking for. Most Marblehead pieces are vases and bowls in soothing, natural hues like brown, gray, green, yellow, and blue. They have a soft, matte finish, which was popular in the Arts and Crafts era. Many Marblehead pieces showcase nature-inspired designs, like tree motifs, flowers, and vines. You might also see sailing ships, nodding to the maritime history of New England, where the pottery was made.

But just finding a matte-colored, decorated pottery piece doesn’t mean you have an authentic Marblehead. You need to check for marks to determine if it’s the real deal, and these marks are usually on the bottom of the piece. There are a few different Marblehead logos – earlier ones had a seagull with an M, while later ones had a sailing ship with an M and P on either side. You might also see artist signatures or initials. If you’re unsure, get it appraised. And if it is Marblehead? Well, that’s up to you – you could sell it or keep it as a piece of history in your home.