Written by Pat Pitcher

1. Perhaps it’s obvious, but still needs to be said: look for the marks. If there are 3 pine trees side by side, it is NOT Blue Mountain.

2. If it is of brownish clay it is likely Barton, if it is mocha coloured, it is Evangeline (Canuck).

3. Just because the clay is red doesn't mean it is Blue Mountain. McMaster, Royal Canadian Art Pottery, Canuck, CCC/Rainbow, Pine, Shelburne, Huronia, Canadiana and even Beauce also used red clay… not to mention U.S. or Japanese works.

4. Just because the glaze is green … see number 3 above.

5. A good general rule of thumb: if it is orange and brown or orange and black, it is almost certainly Canadiana, McMaster or Canuck.

6. White clay with a green glaze is most likely Wyatt Art Pottery, often marked with a “W” and a number. BMP did do some work with white clay, most notably the Canadian Wildlife Series (around 1985) and the Millennium Collection 2000. There are some other BMP white clay works, but they are the exception. White clay of various shades could also mean McMaster, Laurentian Art Pottery, Danesi, CAC, Beauce, Foley/Canuck and any of a dozen US potteries that didn't always mark their wares.

7. Do searches for other Canadian pottery and familiarize yourself with their glazes and shapes. This way when an unmarked piece shows up, you will have a sense of what it might be.

8. If you absolutely love the piece - the colour, the shape- ask yourself if you care if it is Blue Mountain or not. If you are strictly limiting yourself to only BMP pieces then make sure you ask the seller questions, check the collector's site or get a second opinion.

Overview

Dating BMP By Colour

Catalogue Information

Cleaning Tips

Tour the Studio

Misrepresentation

Some Basic Rules

Who's Who