The Vintage Pottery To Look For At The Thrift Store (It Can Be So Valuable)

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

A visit to your local second-hand store can be a fun treasure hunt, and it's even better if you can spot something valuable or high-end at thrift stores. Pottery is one item that can be found in abundance on the shelves. If you know what to look for, you might take home a piece worth some money. 

Be on the lookout for pottery made by Charles Counts. Counts was a mid-century potter from Kentucky, and his pieces have even been collected by some museums. In the 1960s, Counts was praised as one of the outstanding craftspeople in the Southern U.S. by Craft Horizons magazine. Counts found inspiration in Nigerian modern ceramics and the style of pottery created in the Appalachian Mountains of the South. 

If you're wondering how valuable some of his pieces can be, a 1978 signed Charles Counts pottery vase listed on Ebay for $950. Even though it's valuable, Counts' work spanned almost 50 years and tens of thousands of pieces., so there's a chance you could still spot some at a thrift store. Not only will you have found hidden treasure, but now you'll be able to add some richness to your home decor.

At a distance, you might be clued into a Charles Counts' piece by the earthy, textured designs he often used. However, the best way to identify it is to look for a maker's mark at the bottom of a piece. Charles Counts' often engraved his full name. However, there are other marks by Charles Counts that have different inscriptions like "Beaver Ridge" or "Rising Fawn." Those names are reflective of places where he had pottery studios in the Southern U.S. 

If you think you've found some authentic Charles Counts pottery, looking at auction sites is a good way to estimate its value. Keep in mind that list prices do not necessarily mean that's the exact price the sellers are getting. Also take a look at the condition. If pottery is chipped or the glaze is bubbly, that can detract from the value. Sometimes thrifted items need a little TLC and you'll need do to some work to restore your decorative pots to their former glory. But if you want the no-work option, some of the wear and tear can give the pieces a rustic feel. 

Whether you plan on keeping or selling the piece, knowing the potential value can help determine if it's worth picking up at the thrift store. Many of Charles Counts' pieces are functional items like pots, vases, and plates. But if you're unsure how to decorate with the pottery, you can move and arrange these pieces as much as you want to achieve the look you're going for. Plus, you now have a good jumping off point for resale if you're struggling to make the pottery work with your decor.