The Last Rookwood Artist

In a speech entitled "You Can’t Heat an Oven with Snowballs," at the Pottery Lovers convention in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1997, Bill Glass juxtaposed Rookwood’s golden years with the years from 1954 until the suspension of Rookwood production in 1967. Why did some of the Pottery’s late owners think they could heat an oven with snowballs? Bill offers his insights into the reasons for the demise of the once great Art Pottery from his unique perspective as the last Rookwood Artist:

From its origin in 1880 through its golden years in the first half of the 20^th century, Rookwood Pottery enjoyed international fame and recognition. However, the onset of the great depression reached far and wide, and declining revenue and debt began to take its toll. With the passing of John D. Wareham in 1954, I believe Rookwood lost its artistic soul, and it never recovered for these reasons:

Times had changed. The market for fine decorated ware after WWII declined dramatically.

Inexpensive mass-produced decorator ceramics became popular, spurred by the postwar housing boom.

Dwindling sales led to a series of changes in ownership that lacked the creative vision of its founder, Maria Longworth (Nichols) Storer and her successors.

Finally, relocation of the operation from Cincinnati, OH, to Starkville, MS, in 1960 by the Herschede family sealed its fate. By removing Rookwood from a culturally sophisticated metropolitan setting to a barren rural environment, the new owners were unable to resuscitate the failing enterprise.

As Will Rogers once remarked: "You can’t heat an oven with snowballs." In the case of Rookwood Pottery, you needed the fire of creative artists and decorators whose practiced medium was painting and pottery decoration. The Cincinnati Art Academy had been such a rich resource in the past. It was vases, such as the "Black Iris" by Carl Schmitt, that made Rookwood famous.

I joined Rookwood in 1959 in a career switch from college Art teacher to designer right after Rookwood was purchased by the Herschede Hall Clock Company. My first role at Rookwood in Cincinnati was to master the tooling craft. My teacher was an extraordinary master potter and toolmaker, Earl Menzel. Earl’s career spanned 63 years with Rookwood, the longest tenure of any employee in the company’s history. My mastering of Earl’s craft was essential in my employer’s mind because Earl was well over retirement age and would not be able to make the move to Mississippi.

After the relocation to Starkville, I managed the production of the current line of ceramic products and designed about 75 new shapes for the Rookwood line as well as for the parent company’s Herschede Hall Clock line, incorporating ceramic elements into the clock designs. The company’s marketing efforts fell flat despite its connections and compatible distribution channels through high-end jewelry and department stores.

By the time Rookwood suspended production, my wife and I had established The Gift Gallery, an art gallery where I taught classes in painting, ceramics and sculpture, exhibited regional artists’ work and retailed art supplies, custom frames, books and select gift lines. In addition, I taught art classes for Mississippi State University in Starkville. This led to a full-time position as Associate Professor of Art at Mississippi State College (now University) for Women in Columbus, MS.

The Starkville operation closed its doors in 1967. The tooling, molds and distinctive trademark were purchased by the Townley family, avid collectors of fine art pottery. The original Rookwood Pottery on Mt. Adams now houses a restaurant, and the kilns in which the exquisite ceramics were fired serve as booths for diners.

Collectors and fans of the Antiques Road Show know just how prized Rookwood is today. For more information on the current market go to cincinnatiartgalleries.com.