How can I tell if pottery is antique?

To tell if pottery is antique, first look for any identifying marks. Usually, you will notice them on the bottom of the piece. If you locate one, you can use an authoritative resource to determine the maker. Then, you can research the pattern and shape to determine an approximate date. Pottery made over 100 years ago is generally considered an antique. Find a range of expertly vetted antique pottery on 1stDibs.

How can I tell if my Japanese pottery is antique?

To tell if your Japanese pottery is antique, look for markings, which usually appear on the bottoms of pieces. If you see the word "Nippon," your piece was likely produced between 1891 and 1921, making it an antique. Pieces marked with the words "made in occupied Japan" originated between 1945 and 1952 and are vintage, based on their age. A "made in Japan" marking may indicate a vintage or contemporary piece. If you don't see any of these markings, consult trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your pottery was produced. Any piece that dates back 100 years or more is antique. Should you encounter difficulty with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Japanese pottery.

How can you tell an antique Italian pottery?

To tell an antique Italian pottery apart from other pieces, do some research using trusted online resources. First, identify the maker by looking for marks on the bottom or interior. Once you know who produced your pottery, you can then explore the styles and types of pieces they produced over the years and use this information to estimate your piece's age. For pottery to be antique, it must be at least 100 years old. If you'd like assistance with the dating process, talk to a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a collection of antique Italian pottery on 1stDibs.

Antique African Pottery

American Victorian Silver

Lobi Pot

African Lobi

African Jar

Early 20th Century, Large Terracotta Vessel, Spiked Vase African Pottery, Lobi

$8,185

H 81 in Dm 45 in

Early 20th Century, Large Terracotta Vessel, Spiked Vase African Pottery, Lobi

Located in Göteborg, SE

Beautiful large African urn in terracotta made by the Lobi people of Burkina Faso. This urn is

Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Antique African Pottery

Materials

Terracotta

Antique 18th Century Roman Tunisian Grey Pot – Handcrafted Terracotta Vessel

$1,800

H 7 in Dm 4.5 in

Antique 18th Century Roman Tunisian Grey Pot – Handcrafted Terracotta Vessel

Located in IT

piece of North African pottery.

Category

18th Century Tunisian Antique African Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Early 20th Century African Zulu Beer Pot

$2,900

H 7.5 in Dm 8 in

Early 20th Century African Zulu Beer Pot

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This early 20th century African Zulu beer pot, traditionally known as an ukamba, is a striking

Category

Early 20th Century South African Tribal Antique African Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Moorish Style Brass Ewer

$1,650

H 28 in

Moorish Style Brass Ewer

Located in Queens, NY

Indian Asian Middle Eastern Moorish-style (19/20th Century) large brass ewer (pitcher) with etched design and cobra snake handle.

Category

19th Century African Moorish Antique African Pottery

Materials

Brass

ODETTA QUIMPER Art Deco Stoneware Vase, 1920

$3,800

H 8.27 in Dm 8.08 in

ODETTA QUIMPER Art Deco Stoneware Vase, 1920

By René Beauclair

Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR

exotic essence: African and Oceanian pottery serves as models, hence these powerful, pot-bellied shapes

Category

1920s French Art Deco Antique African Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Recent Sales

LOBI POT, ARFRICA, 19th Century

Unavailable

H 20 in Dm 16 in

LOBI POT, ARFRICA, 19th Century

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful and rare, Lobi pots are among the most prized in African pottery. 19th Century

Category

19th Century Antique African Pottery

Materials

Clay

Rare Bloch African Americana Figural Tobacco Jar Humidor signed dated 1908

Unavailable

H 7 in W 5.5 in D 6.5 in

Rare Bloch African Americana Figural Tobacco Jar Humidor signed dated 1908

By Bernhard Bloch

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A rare Bernard Bloch black figural tobacco jar/humidor. Polychrome glaze decoration. A smiling man with sparkling eyes in a bowtie. The tied style hat is removable for tobacco access...

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antique African Pottery

Materials

Pottery

African Pottery Bowl with Geometric Pattern Early 20th Century

Sold

H 3.94 in Dm 9.65 in

African Pottery Bowl with Geometric Pattern Early 20th Century

Located in Labrit, Landes

Early 20th century African pottery bowl In good vintage condition for its age.

Category

Early 20th Century African Primitive Antique African Pottery

Materials

Pottery

African Grain Jar

Sold

H 14 in Dm 14 in

African Grain Jar

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful antique African grain jar from the Lobi tribe in Burkinafaso West Africa. Hand-made from

Category

19th Century Antique African Pottery

Victorian Minton Majolica Continents Americas and Africa Jardinière

Sold

H 15.4 in W 14.6 in D 14.6 in

Victorian Minton Majolica Continents Americas and Africa Jardinière

By Minton

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

female head in profile representing 'The Americas' and 'Africa', the other two with ring handles bound

Category

1860s English Victorian Antique African Pottery

Materials

Majolica

Large Lobi Vessel

Sold

H 14.5 in W 16.5 in

Large Lobi Vessel

Located in Wainscott, NY

Vessel created by the Lobi People of Burking Faso, Mali Africa Terracotta warted vessel.

Category

Early 20th Century Central African Antique African Pottery

Igala Incised Water Vessel

Sold

H 14 in W 16 in D 16 in

Igala Incised Water Vessel

Located in Chicago, IL

African pottery is revered for combining a simplicity of form with astonishing beauty and

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Antique African Pottery

Materials

Terracotta

A Large African Urn

Sold

H 20 in W 19 in

A Large African Urn

Located in New York, NY

A large African Urn

Category

19th Century African Antique African Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Nupe African Beer Pot

Sold

H 11.5 in Dm 14 in

Nupe African Beer Pot

Located in Wainscott, NY

Very cool, nice scale, beer pot with unusual geometric details. From the Nupe people

Category

19th Century Nigerian Antique African Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Large Italian Maiolica Chargers, Venus and Neptune, 19th Century

Sold

H 2 in Dm 24 in

Pair of Large Italian Maiolica Chargers, Venus and Neptune, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

Moorish potters from North Africa made pottery. Italian maiolica was also called "istoriato", which

Category

19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique African Pottery

Materials

Maiolica

Lobi Terracotta Vessel, African Pottery

Sold

H 18.5 in Dm 14.5 in

Lobi Terracotta Vessel, African Pottery

By Lobi People

Located in Sharon, CT

A very large and heavy globular bowl, rounded bottom and with its lid.

Category

Early 20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Antique African Pottery

Materials

Clay

Early 20th Century African, Burkina Faso Lobi Vessel with Lid

Sold

H 20 in Dm 17 in

Early 20th Century African, Burkina Faso Lobi Vessel with Lid

By Lobi People

Located in Wainscott, NY

People is Lobiri. This distinctive style vessel/pot is unique to the Lobi and unlike the African pottery

Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Antique African Pottery

Materials

Clay

Jukum Tripod Pot , Nigeria 19 C.

Sold

H 15.5 in Dm 12 in

Jukum Tripod Pot , Nigeria 19 C.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

a beautiful & unique jukum pot from nigeria.

Category

19th Century African Antique African Pottery

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Antique African Pottery For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal piece of antique African pottery for your home. An item from our selection of antique African pottery — often made from ceramic, clay and earthenware — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for newer or older items, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Many designers have produced at least one well-made choice in our collection of antique African pottery over the years, but those crafted by Evelyn de Morgan are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Antique African Pottery?

A piece of antique African pottery can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,358, while the lowest priced sells for $536 and the highest can go for as much as $38,000.