1960s Vintage Van Briggle Lorelei Sculptural Vase

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The Van Briggle Studio was founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Iconic glaze and color.

This stunning example of fine art … Read more The Van Briggle Studio was founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Iconic glaze and color.

This stunning example of fine art pottery from the Van Briggle studio in Colorado Springs is entitled “Lorelei.” Artus Van Briggle created the design based on the German folk legend of Lorelei, the siren of the Rhine River. According to the legend, Lorelei, which means rock elf, was a beautiful young woman that threw herself into the Rhine to end her despair over a faithless lover. As she drowned, a transformation occurred and she became a siren, who would lure fishermen to their deaths as she sang and combed her hair on the rock from which she had leapt to her death. The first Lorelei was displayed in the Paris Exposition of 1900 (Artus was working for the Rookwood Potter Studio at that time).

One of the most distinctive features of Van Briggle art pottery is the type of glaze used. Many pieces, including this Lorelei vase, have a “matte” or non-shiny appearance. This was a result of the founder’s research to recreate an ancient Chinese glaze. After two years of experimenting, he successfully created the “dead glaze,” which led to his initial fame in the world of fine art pottery.

The markings on the bottom of the vase indicate that this piece was finished by Gladys Barker some time during the 1960s or 1970s.

I was able to tour the Van Briggle studio in the early 1990s and could imagine the early designers working their craft there.

The vase is in excellent condition with no chips and a couple minor marks consistent with age. The vase is 11” tall 4.5” wide and 4.5” deep. It is in a gorgeous turquoise color with varying shades of blue. See less