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Identification

Hand-Painted Floral Iris Stoneware Vase

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

The item is a cylindrical stoneware vase featuring hand-painted iris motifs over a matte glaze. The base is unglazed, revealing a slightly porous, grogged clay body typical of stoneware.

Story

This is a late 20th-century unmarked stoneware vase. The hand-painted iris motif with blue and pink base banding is stylistically identical to the popular 'Field of Iris' pattern produced by Emerson Creek Pottery (Bedford, Virginia). However, lacking a definitive maker's mark, it is evaluated as a generic, high-quality decorative piece from that era. The secondary market for late 20th-century hand-painted studio and production pottery is steady but saturated.

Maker / Origin

Unattributed

Condition & Value

Based on the visual evidence, the vase appears to be in good vintage condition with intact matte white glaze and vibrant hand-painted details. The unglazed stoneware base shows typical, expected shelf wear.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for late 20th-century hand-painted studio and production pottery is steady but saturated. Buyers are primarily driven by decorative appeal, color palettes, and trending aesthetics like 'cottagecore' rather than strict collector value. Pieces with popular floral motifs sell reliably in the $20-$40 range on platforms like Etsy and Mercari, though they rarely command premium prices without a recognized maker's mark or verifiable provenance.

Value Drivers

▲ Hand-painted floral motif with strong decorative appeal aligns with current vintage trends

▲ Stylistic similarity to known production lines (e.g., Emerson Creek) aids in searchability and buyer interest

▲ Matte glaze finish presents well without obvious discoloration or crazing

Concerns

▼ Lack of a definitive maker's mark caps the value at the generic decorative tier

▼ Unverified exact dimensions could impact shipping costs and buyer expectations

▼ Hidden rim or base chips, if present, would require a condition discount

Best Venue

List on a vintage-focused marketplace like Etsy or Mercari, utilizing keywords like 'hand-painted stoneware', 'cottagecore', and 'iris bud vase'. Ensure exact dimensions are clearly stated in the listing, as scale is a primary driver for online ceramics buyers.

Upside Potential

If the vase is exceptionally large (e.g., over 10 inches in height) or if a faint, previously unnoticed maker's mark is discovered that links it definitively to a highly collected studio potter, the value could push toward the $65-$85 retail ceiling seen in outlier comps.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 2 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • LUNDS Auctioneers & Appraisers· 2025-03-18
    Stoneware Vase (10 1/2"h) Impressed Mark of Daniel Materna
    Excerpt shows a generic auction page with unrelated lots; no mention of the specific vase.
    $60
  • Aubergine
    Bouquet Vase - Emerson Creek Pottery
    Excerpt indicates the motif is a dragonfly, not an iris.
    $30