How Do You Appraise Vintage American Indian Pottery?
Finding the value of Native American pottery requires a keen eye and at least a cursory knowledge of tribal artisans, their materials and techniques. Museum gift shops, souvenir shops and antiques stores all carry American Indian pottery and other Native art, and a careful collector knows what to look for when appraising vintage tribal pottery. By learning a few details about American Indian history and throwing pottery, you can appraise Native American pottery yourself (or get a head start on a professional appraisal). Determine the authenticity of the pottery. The United States Department of the Interior passed the Indian Arts and Crafts Act in 1990, which forbids pottery from being labeled “American Indian” unless a member of a recognized tribe produced it. If the pottery was purchased at a store or from an online site, do research on the store and its record of satisfied customers. Then trace the history of the pottery, locating the state and tribe where it originated. This helps y
