http://www.artstyles.org/picasso-art-style/
Much like a signature on a painting, pottery marks serve to
identify where a piece was created, who made it, and what company
sold it. The pottery marks aren’t obviously placed, as to not
overtake the beauty of the piece itself. They are often hidden
well inside, making it tough to learn much from them. If you
can’t find the mark or tell what it means, a pottery expert will
be able to locate it and explain to you its significance. The
marks are important, so you should certainly look into them on
any piece of pottery that you acquire or are looking to purchase.
The marks can be used to help date the piece, which can be
especially helpful to historians. Historians can learn who
designed the pieces, when they made it, and where they made it.
From this information, they can learn what the culture of the
time was like and what the typical living patterns and conditions
were. A lot can be learned about the culture by seeing what
tools were used to make the pottery as well.
Since you are probably not a historian, this information probably
means less to you. It is still interesting to know about, but
the main reason looking for marks will help you is to tell what
the pottery is worth. A mark can help you determine the value of
the pottery in several ways. You have to start by simply finding
the mark and assessing what it means. If you can’t find it or
tell what it means, consult a professional. Once you have a
basic understanding of it, you can search pottery databases on
the internet to find details about your pottery. These are very
helpful tools and you can learn about the work you’ve bought and
find out what it’s truly worth. You may have a treasured piece
of art and not even know it yet!
Keith Markensen looks at the specialized growing of container gardens and lends his years of landscape experience at www.Plant-Care.com where he shares his professional landscape information.