May 2, 2005
This Weeks Premier Pottey report:

Roseville Pottery

It's got a look all its own. Most people who've been collecting for any length of time have noticed a piece here and there while out shopping.

The Roseville Pottery Company began producing utility lines more than 100 years ago in Roseville, Ohio. In 1898 the company moved to modern facilities in Zanesville and went on to enter the art pottery market in the early 1900s to compete with manufacturers such as Rookwood.

Its first art line, Roszane, concentrated on darker backgrounds with painted artwork featuring portraits, nature scenes, florals and animals, all popular themes in the early 20th century.

Some of the subsequent Roseville lines emulated low relief pottery of the ancient Egyptians and the high-gloss deep red vessels of the Chinese. Later patterns, decorated with designs inspired by nature, are more commonly found by collectors today.

Quality varies on most Roseville pieces. Since artists decorated each piece by hand, the talent of the individual came into play with each article produced. Artist signed pieces, as with many porcelain and pottery collectibles, often bring higher prices than unsigned pieces. The most talented and recognized names command the most attention from experienced collectors.

And, although prices seem to have stabilized somewhat recently, collectors often have to pay dearly to add to a collection these days. In fact, folks starting collections many years ago often find it hard to spend the money it takes to grow a Roseville collection now.

It's really not hard to understand why they'd want to, however. This pottery makes a striking presentation when pieces are grouped together. But a piece here and there can offer a nostalgic highlight that looks surprisingly up-to-date in many settings.

From warm, earthy browns and rusts to the rich coolness of blues and greens, Roseville pottery offers a scheme to match most any decorating pallet.

Many different patterns adorn the pottery, and the floral themes look right at home with popular botanical decorative accessories. Most are sold by dealers according to a pattern name, such as the popular Pine Cone and Blackberry lines produced in the '30s.

If this pottery has recently caught your eye, keep in mind that reproductions from China have been showing up in this market for quite some time now. Although most of these fakes are easily recognized by avid collectors, beginners might find them a little more difficult to distinguish.

The coloring is often close when compared to the genuine article, but not quite right. The decor sometimes looks amateurish. The markings may be off as well. If the 'USA' is missing form the raised mark or can only be faintly seen, the piece is most likely a reproduction, according to information provided by Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide.

Inexperienced antique dealers sometimes find themselves taken in by Roseville fakes and may unknowingly pass them on to collectors. I've seen reproduction Roseville in antique malls here in Central Texas, and while the price indicated that something wasn't on the up and up, the tag did not denote a reproduction.

My advice would be to exercise caution on items priced really low, especially in antique malls and shops. I'm not saying you won't find a sleeper here and there, I do from time-to-time, but being cautious will save you some grief in the long run.

Before starting a collection, the best way to avoid a fake out is to look at many authentic pieces. Learn the distinguishing characteristics first hand, and if possible, take a really close look at a piece you know to be a reproduction.

Guides on the subject, like The Collectors Encyclopedia of Roseville Pottery, are plentiful in most major bookstores. Some libraries also have copies of books containing valuable information on age, markings and reproductions in this field.

Take a little time to learn about Roseville. You'll be ready when that buy of a lifetime comes along at a flea market or estate sale. And, if you decide to invest in a piece of this interesting pottery at a shop or show, you'll enjoy buying with confidence.