Rookwood Pottery Marks

We receive a lot of emails asking for information on American art pottery.  Rather than just responding to collector's emails I am going to try answer more of these questions in blog posts. 

This morning a new Rookwood pottery collector emailed asking for an explanation of the various marks on the bottom of his vase.  The following summarizes the basic marks seen on Rookwood Pottery. 

The most recognized logo in Rookwood history is the backwards R and P.  This logo was used on virtually every piece of Rookwood produced from 1886 until the end of production in 1967.  Between 1886 and 1900 one additional flame was impressed around the logo for each year; such that in 1900 fourteen flames surrounded the Rookwood trademark.  For example the photo to the right shows the Rookwood trademark with 8 flames indicating this vase was produced in 1894.  Beginning in 1901, the company stopped adding flames to the logo and started using roman numerals below the fourteen flame trademark to date the pottery.  The use of Roman numerals to date Rookwood continued until the end of production in 1967.

In addition to the Rookwood flame trademark, the company marked its pottery with a corresponding shape number.  Rookwood can be found with shape numbers running from 1 to 7301 impressed on the bottom of the pottery.  Each shape design could be produced in multiple sizes.  Rookwood sizes were defined with the letters A, B, C, D, E and F with A representing the largest size in a particular shape and F the smallest.  Rookwood size letters were impressed and typically found right after the shape number.  An example of the shape number and size notation can be seen in the photo of the bottom of the 1906 Rookwood vase to the right. 

Decorated Rookwood pottery will have similar markings with the addition of the artist's initials or cipher and often glaze notations such as V for vellum glazes, W for iris glazes, SG for sea green, etc.   

Greg Myroth - Shop for Rookwood Pottery

Comments

[bruce jenkins]

Did any of this pottery come out Unmarked Thanks Bruce

[dave leonard]

1886 was a year that didn't completely used the Rookwood Logo. I have a piece w/just the name Rookwood and the year. With the daly signature. Thought you might want the info.

[j valadez]

what are the impressed dots that often appear on rookwood bottoms? ...sometimes at various clock positions around flames, sometimes at bottom of shape number or to its right or left, sometimes off to the side.

[Greg Myroth]

The dots you often see on the bottom of Rookwood pottery are what is called finishers' dots. Similar to artist ciphers the dots represent individual finishers. For example, Reuben Menzel and Albert Munson are recognized finishers. Mr. Menzel's can be found left of the shape number and Albert Munson's can be found at the 12:00 position above the flame marks.

Greg Myroth
www.justartpottery.com

[Clay]

The dots you often see on the bottom of Rookwood pottery are what is called finishers' dots. Similar to artist ciphers the dots represent individual finishers. For example, Reuben Menzel and Albert Munson are recognized finishers. Mr. Menzel's can be found left of the shape number and Albert Munson's can be found at the 12:00 position above the flame marks.

I have a piece of rookwood and the dot is at the 3 oclock position. Do you have any idea who the finisher for this piece was ?

[Greg Myroth]

According to the reference books the dot at the 3 oclock location is for Albersman. This finisher is not referenced in readily available historical Rookwood documents.