December 3, 2008
Founded in 1880 by Maria Longworth Nichols, Rookwood pottery is a favorite of collectors for the quality of its pieces, which were hand-decorated by a diverse group of artists (though some simpler pieces were mass-produced). Drawing from European and Asian styles, the company was very involved with the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, and its pieces are still prized as some of the best examples of those styles.
In addition to its signature vases, Rookwood also produced architectural tile and smaller items such as bookends, paperweights and figurines. There were between 20 to 25 artists decorating pieces at the Rookwood factory at any given time (some of the most notable included Kataro Shirayamadani, Albert Valentine, Sara Sax, and Jens Jensen). Rookwood pieces were sold at the factory showroom, and at jewelry and department stores nationwide.
Collectors should note that the vast majority of Rookwood pieces are very clearly marked. Very early pieces say “Rookwood,” and later pieces (starting in the mid-1880s) feature the Rookwood logo: a backwards R and P side-by-side. Rookwood closed its factory in the 1960s, but the copyright has been continuously enforced.
I don’t remember the first Rookwood piece I ever bought, that’s getting close to 40 years ago. But I must… [more]
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This microsite from the LA County Museum of Art provides a good overview of the Arts and Crafts movement in Europe … [more]
Stuart Lonsdale and Kim Lindley's excellent tribute to and reference on Gouda Dutch Art Pottery and Delftware. The … [more]
Steve Birks' super deep site is a tribute to a bygone era, chronicling how a pottery center of excellence (they did… [more]
An overview by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts of the design movements between 1880 and 1940 that comprised Moder… [more]
Paul Somerson's incredible reference on handwrought metalwork from the American Arts and Crafts movement of the ear… [more]
Roger Owen's showcase of over 180 beautiful 20th century British and European piggy banks, with background on their… [more]
Dedicated to raising awareness of the ceramic art work of R. Guy Cowan and his Cowan Pottery Studio in northeastern… [more]
A detailed tribute to the lesser-known artistic metalwork craftsmen of the Arts and Crafts movement. In addition t… [more]
Jim Johnson and Gail Rothman's fun, 'off-the-wall' showcase of his colorful collection of Roseville pottery wall po… [more]
This 7,000-plus page site lives up to its self-billing as a 'knowledge base' with examples of work from all major a… [more]
The museum with the world's largest collection of Worcester porcelain is a good starting point for beginning collec… [more]
This gallery showcases 2,130 of the 5,000 items in the museum's ceramics collection dating from 1500-1900. Include… [more]
A great reference on ceramics from the Victoria and Albert Museum. Learn about different ceramics techniques and st… [more]
This website boasts hundreds of beautiful ceramics items with detailed descriptions. Start browsing here, and keep … [more]
A good reference resource for anyone interested in the pottery of Clarice Cliff (1899-1972), who had her heyday in … [more]
Paul Tyers' reference site on pottery and ceramics from the Roman period in Britain and Western Europe. Includes a … [more]
This microsite from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts features objects from the Institute’s permanent collection,… [more]
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Cincinnati.com, OH -
The holiday trunk show is open to the public and will be held at The Rookwood Pottery Studio, 2619 Glendora Ave., Clifton. Off-street and on-street parking ...
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald, WA -
Artus Van Briggle had been among the best of the artists working for the Rookwood Pottery in Ohio before health concerns caused him to move to Colorado in ...
Cincinnati.com, OH -
By Polly Campbell • pcampbell@enquirer.com • November 27, 2008 The Rookwood Pottery building that hugs the top of Mount Adams is one of Cincinnati's best ...
WLWT, OH -
Bengals safety Chinedum Ndukwe turned the Rookwood Pottery Works into the Rookwood Restaurant. It’sa blend of old and new, with some of the original artwork ...
Auction Central News, NY -
Also among the 350 cataloged lots is an offering of exceptional period American furniture and Southern regional pottery. Two of the star lots of the sale ...
Maine Antique Digest, ME -
Rose cut gold filled garnet bracelet w/ pin, ca 1900 RARE Experimental and demonstrated pieces of Rookwood Pottery from the private collection of former ...
Cincinnati CityBeat, OH -
Of course, there’s history here: These were the kilns for the famous Rookwood pottery — a Cincinnati treasure that decorates the Carew Tower arcade and ...
Antiques and the Arts Online, CT -
POTTERY AND PORCELAIN: Teco, Van Briggle, Roseville, Majolica, Royal Doulton, Hummels, Goebels, Armani, Lladro, Roseville, Rookwood and Weller art pottery, ...
Antiques and the Arts Online, CT -
... Artist Signed Iris Glaze Rookwood Vase; Rare RS Prussia Covered Butter Dish; Majolica; Lots Cut Glass; Faience Toby; Pr. Staff. Dogs; French Art Pottery ...
Bradenton Herald, United States -
Roseville, Rookwood, McCoy, and many others made this type of pottery. Sometimes the manufacturer can be identified by a particular pattern. ...
