here are pottery marks, and then there are pottery marks that finally explain why a small gray vase has been standing on the shelf looking considerably more important than everyone around it.
This is an authentic Rookwood Pottery vase made in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1913. Its compact cabinet-vase form features two angular handles, a softly tapered body, and a restrained molded floral or berry motif near the base. The surface is finished in a deeply mottled charcoal-gray to black glaze with a subtle textured appearance that gives the piece an almost stone-like quality.
The underside bears Rookwood’s recognizable conjoined RP flame trademark. The Roman numerals XIII identify the production year as 1913, while the impressed number 2881 records the Rookwood shape number. Rookwood’s organized marking system is one reason its pottery can often be dated and classified with unusual precision.
Rookwood was founded in Cincinnati in 1880 and became one of the most significant American art potteries associated with the Arts and Crafts movement. The company became especially known for innovative ceramic techniques, refined forms, and earth-toned decorative finishes.
This is a handsome example for a Rookwood collection, an Arts and Crafts interior, or anyone who prefers their pottery dark, architectural, and quietly superior.
