Alabama Folk Art Pottery grouping Montgomery area pre-WW2 anonymous craftsman

Rookwood pottery was established based upon Arts and Crafts ideals positing the celebration and elevation of pottery as an art form. Both professional and amateur decorators and potters were instrumental in the success of what became an art industry and the nations first Internationally recognized art pottery. It is marked 1885, 61 and W. Rookwood's font, Form # 61 and the use of W to indicate white clay are well known to Rookwood collectors and have been identified in most publications concerning the pottery dating back to Peck's books. Sometimes we just can't figure out who decorated them. Many of the decorators were married society ladies and some used their spouse's initials or names on pots. I have been unable to identify what appears to be M AED in under-glaze initials. Nor does the pencil notation which appears M.E. Foster (or Foote) turn up in my review of the literature, including The Ladies God Bless 'em. The quality of the decoration is high and represents the interest in Japonisme and Aesthetic Movement art. The four cobalt lined vertical panels recall vertical Japanese woodblock prints and the gold tracery and rim is surprisingly present with only modest wear to the high points and minor bleed through of the under-glaze around the lip. (shown). It is important to note that unless or until the decorator is identified, it is impossible to assert that the decoration is by a Rookwood artist. Many amateur ladies and gentlemen, particularly members of the Cincinnati Pottery...

Thomas Ritchie is one of the better documented Catawba Valley NC potters who worked in the mid 19th century up until (it is estimated) about 1900. A number of his jugs, crocks and canning jars...

I corresponded with Don in Kansas City and he identified it as his work from the early 80's. He shifted to furniture making in the 90's and has prominently exhibited at the Grovewood Gallery at the Grove Park...

Bode Willumsen operated his own studio in Denmark and his work during the early period was celebrated to such an extent that he was hired at Royal Copenhagen where his related desig...