Monmouth Pottery

Monmouth Pottery Company was the typical late 1800s pottery firm. They were founded in 1894 in Monmouth, Illinois, and produced functional stonewares such as butter churns, jars, and crocks.

It wasn’t until 1906 when the company was bought up by the larger Western Stoneware Company, that Monmouth began producing art pottery. Since Western Stoneware had plenty of utility production, Monmouth became the defacto ‘Artware Division’ of the conglomerate. 

Monmouth marked its wares with a maple leaf before they were acquired, and they continued to do so until 1930. Pieces before 1906 featured an incised ‘Monmouth CO.’ along the base, and after this year the mark was revised to be the engraved ‘Monmouth Pottery, Monmouth, Ill.’. Some of the Monmouth lines after the 1930s are unmarked but are still recognized as distinct through the glaze and specific kind of clay used during manufacturing. Monmouth lines are celebrated for the mesmerizing salt-glazing technique employed to create matte finishes. Monmouth was one of the last remaining pottery producers out of Stoneware - in 1956 they were one of two manufacturers left. Art pottery production ceased after 1985 when Western Stoneware Company went under, but the pottery was soon purchased and still creates pottery to this day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Condition strongly shapes value. Mint pieces are most desirable, while flakes or restorations reduce market strength. These same considerations apply across Art Deco Pottery, where preservation is crucial to both display quality and collector interest.
Collectors will find Monmouth pottery in a range of dimensions, from compact handled ceramic pottery vases to larger squat forms ideal as display pieces. Examples include wide-based 9-inch vases with sturdy shoulders and tall-handled vessels suited for floor display. Each form reflects the American stoneware tradition while carrying Deco styling.
Value is influenced by form rarity, glaze color, and decorative style. Scarcer shapes, such as Egyptian Revival pedestals or tall, handled floor vases, tend to command higher prices. Age, maker’s marks, and glaze consistency also play an important role in determining desirability and long-term collector appeal.
Condition is central to pricing. Pieces in excellent original condition without chips, cracks, or repairs carry the highest value. Even small base flakes or hairlines can reduce desirability. At Just Art Pottery, condition notes are always transparent, enabling collectors to accurately assess both aesthetic and market value.
Authenticity is confirmed through factory stamps and Western Stoneware marks. Each listing at Just Art Pottery includes glaze notes and transparent condition reports.