Beauceware pottery was made in Beauce County, Quebec, Canada. The pottery was founded in 1939 as a means to offer pottery as useful art as well as solve the unemployment problem in the area. Within a short time, Beauceware was known across Canada and the world.
Beauceware Beginnings
In the early days of the Ceramique de Beauce company, Beauceware pottery pieces were turned on a wheel and made with the red clay along the Callway River in Saint Joseph.
Sons of local farmers soon agreed to farm in the summer and learn the art of pottery-making in the winter. And by 1943, they had a co-operative and moved their works into a disused shoe factory, under the name of The New Ceramics School of Saint-Joseph.
The co-op and training program came to an end in 1964 and one year later the name was changed to Ceramique de Beauce.
The Last Years of Beauceware
In 1974 a fire devastated the industry in Beuce, but the company was up and running again in a little over a year. Beauceware took a different direction and began to market their pottery to Hotels and Retail shops. They began using material from Georgia which produced white pottery and the pieces became finer. Ceramique de Beauce was sold in 1985 and closed its doors for the last time in 1989.
Dating Collectible Beauceware
The early pieces produced from 1940 to 1950 were made of red clay. These are also the most valuable. Recent online sales include a red clay vase which sold for approximately $600 and a red clay elephant ornament which sold for over $150.
In the '50s, the clay used became whiter. The pieces were marked underside, usually with a product number. In the latter half of the decade, the word "Beauce" was impressed into the underside of the piece. A collector may also see the maker's mark or initials.
In the '60s and '70s, the pottery was marked with the word "Beauceware." This is also the period when the Beuce company began to produce products commissioned by companies, such as plates for Expo '67. And later in the '70s they began producing dinner service sets.
Where to Find Beauceware Pottery
During the peak periods of Beauceware's production, the company was producing in excess of a million pieces per year. While the best place to find Beauceware is in Beauce, Quebec, Beauceware does turn up in places all over North America and elsewhere.
Thrift shops, flea market and yard sales often have the odd Beauceware piece for less than a dollar. And auctions and antique shops always seem to have at least one piece of Beauceware. Online auction houses such as Ebay generally has a page or two or 50 listings of Beauceware pottery.
Building a Niche Beauceware Collection
The early red clay pieces are rare and generally very expensive, so it may be a niche that needs to build slowly. Red-glaze Beauceware can still be expensive, but not out of reach and there were more made. Caledon or apple green pieces make a lovely collection and their prices range from $20 - $40 in antique shops.
Online References
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