Buffalo Pottery

Buffalo pottery started back in the early 19th century. The Larkin Company, which manufactured this pottery, originally started out making soap. As the business grew, Larkin formed a company specifically to produce a special design of pottery to add to the merchandise they were already making.

In addition to the Seneca and Blue Willow patterns, others were added--a Gold Band pattern and a pattern called Minerva, which had sprays of pink roses. Most were decorated underglaze, and all but Seneca and Blue Willow bore gilding. The factory excelled at underglaze blue-printing, a decorating technique uncommon in American pottery.

Their Buffalo Willow pattern is equal in quality to most of that made in England, home of blue-printing. Other patterns using this technique include a Dr. Syntax series. All pottery pieces were identified on the back with a buffalo and the words Buffalo Pottery. Sometimes, but not always, the date of the piece and the initials of the decorator were also included. Today the factory still produces this pottery, but only for Hotel China.

The following are websites devoted to the various pieces of this pottery that are available. Also a more detailed history of this pottery can be found.