Rare Rookwood Vase Carved, Painted with Rooks Makes Wing to Treadway's Decorative Arts Auction Light thickens and the crow makes wing to the rooky wood. ~MACBETH, Act III, Scene II. Artisans at Cincinnati's venerable pottery firm reserved their namesake rooks for some of their finest pieces.
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - CINCINNATI, OHIO -- A substantial vase with two large carved, painted black rooks covered in a Sea Green glaze; a double-handled vase adorned with a magnificent portrait of "Little Red Cloud" swathed in a Standard glaze; and a rare plaque decorated with a Venetian harbor scene enveloped in a Vellum glaze are just a few of the exceptional pieces of Rookwood pottery that will be offered June 3 at Treadway Gallery's Decorative Arts Auction Featuring Rookwood.
The extravaganza will feature Rookwood, the crème de la crème of American art pottery and a selection of art pottery by other fine American and European makers. More than 600 lots have been assembled for the sale, most of which are in perfect, original condition. The gallery has provided reasonable estimates on each piece, and very few pieces have reserves. The auction begins at 10 a.m. at Starlite Ballroom, 5994 Linneman St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45228. The preview for the sale is through May 31 at Treadway Gallery, 2029 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45208.
When Maria Longworth Nichols founded her art pottery company in 1880, she named it to honor the gregarious, crow-like birds that congregated on the grounds of her father's estate where she spent her childhood. As one of the nation's first female business owners, she assembled her own rookery, a colony of artists who gathered to paint pottery, which remains the most coveted among serious collectors.
At this sale, an impressive vase adeptly carved and painted with two large black rooks is the signature piece expected to attract tremendous interest.
"Because the rook was so revered at Rookwood, the artists had a tendency to reserve rook designs for their better pieces," Don Treadway, gallery owner, said. "This one is exceptional. Matt Daly was the artist who so skillfully carved and painted this vase in 1899. Every aspect is superb, from the implementation of the design to the Sea Green glaze in which it's covered."
Daly's stunning, rook-adorned vase stands 11.5-inches tall, is numbered "#787C," and is estimated to bring $20,000 to $30,000.
An unusual Rookwood Faience architectural tile in a large, oval form, which features two black rooks on a tree branch, is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000.
Rookwood's portraits of Native Americans implemented on various vessels are also among the most sought after collectibles. Several outstanding examples of this striking portraiture will be offered at this auction. The pièce de résistance is a haunting portrait of "Little Red Cloud," which was painted by Grace Young in 1900 on a double-handled vase, and is expected to bring $25,000-$35,000. Covered in a Standard glaze, the vase is 11.5-inches high vase, is numbered "#531D," and marked "ground X" for no visible reason. A Native American portrait painted on a three-handled vessel in 1898 by Artus Van Briggle and covered in a Standard glaze is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000.
Rookwood's rare plaques are also favorites among serious collectors. "Venetian Sunset," a finely painted and highly detailed harbor scene by Ed Diers, which is coated
