Chelsea Keramic Fish Platter by Hugh Robertson

This Fish Platter is a rare piece of Chelsea Keramic Artware Pottery was made by Hugh Robertson in the late 19th century, before the company folded in 1889.

Robertson was known for his innovative and artistic endeavors in pottery design, including exhaustive experimentation with various glazes. In Kovel's American Art Pottery, it states that Robertson "made large wall plaques that looked as though they were produced from carved wood. Figures were incised into the surface on some, while other types of plaques were made by carving high relief or using wet clay decorations on flat surfaces."

Chelsea Keramic Art Works was not a financial success, as the wares were more artform, than functional and time consuming to produce. Robertson went on to manage Chelsea Pottery U.S., where they moved to saleable table wares. The factory owners moved the operation in 1895 to Dedam, where they changed the name to Dedham Pottery Company. It was here that Robertson became famous for the ever popular Dedham Pottery.

Because Robertson's Art pottery were so time consuming and experimental, few pieces remain. I thought your readers would enjoy seeing this rare piece of American Pottery history.