Roseville - My Island of Misfit Pottery Pieces

The Roseville Pottery Company was an American pottery manufacturer in the 19th and 20th centuries. Though originally simple household pieces, the design of the pottery was popular with the American Arts and Crafts movement and pieces are now sought after by collectors.  They started in business in 1890 and their last production was in 1953.

I have picked up many pieces of Roseville over the years at yard sales, flea markets, etc., but not with the intention of keeping them.  At first, I wouldn't buy any pieces that were chipped or cracked because those pieces don't sell well.  Then I realized I could have my own collection of imperfect Roseville and give them a home where they would be loved.  After all, aren't we all flawed in some way?  And even despite our flaws, we are loved by friends and family.  

When you're collecting Roseville Pottery, you have to be careful about reproductions.  During the late 1990's, there were many import reproductions finding their way into the market.  Even some antique stores were fooled.  If you really know the feel and look of the pottery, you will easily spot the differences.  They have a good imitated signature on the bottom, but there are differences, especially in the "R" and the way the "S" slants.  The painting is also a little sloppy - bleeding outside it's boundaries.  Genuine Roseville is not hastily painted - even though they have some imperfections, they're usually very finely painted.  The glaze is also a big giveaway.  Genuine Roseville has a smooth, clean feel to it - it makes you want to caress it in your hands....if you are a pottery lover, you'll understand.   The fake pieces have more of a matte, rough finish.

I also have many, many pieces of Hall pottery - some of them have chips and cracks too.  All of my pottery is pretty enough to display, with the minor flows carefully placed where it doesn't show.   My home is sort of like the  "Island of Misfit Toys Pottery" in the Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer story.  Each piece feels quite at home here.  Here is a photo of my Roseville pieces.  They're tucked into a corner of a bookshelf in my library.  The piece front left is not Roseville, but the colors are similar so I grouped them together.

 I'll feature my Hall Pottery pieces at another time.  Do you have a pottery collection?  Do you mind if they're somewhat flawed or are you a collector who wants only perfect pieces? 



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