Earlier this summer, I purchased this American-made green and white colored stoneware ancient Greek formed vase that I was told about by Robert Girouard. The vase is molded, while the handles were applied by hand. I also suspect the vase dates from the first quarter of the twentieth century.
Interestingly, I was told by the antiques dealer that they just bought the vase at an onsite estate sale near Portland, Oregon. They had thought this was a Rockingham-type glaze.
I had initially wondered if this may have been an early version of art pottery made on the West Coast, however, it does not seem to fit with any of the known early artware made at businesses like the Pacific Pottery/Stoneware Company in Oregon, which was established in 1890, as well as Fred Robertson's (1869-1952) Roblin Pottery in San Francisco and later Hollywood Pottery in Los Angeles. I also understand that there were a number of other art potters located in the western United States, but this object does not seem to fit with any of that production. But if anyone reading this knows otherwise - it would be great to hear from you! I was also curious to learn if this was an early version of art pottery made in western Canada, but I found no evidence to support that idea either.
Nevertheless, I actually think the production of this vase fits more with artware produced in the Midwestern part of the United States, whereas, it does share similarities in the way it was made to some of the art pottery made in Ohio. But the reason I purchased this piece, aside from the form and the beautiful glaze, is because the base is signed in script, "GGJ," which most likely represents the person who made this object.
I think the signature on this vase makes it a rare object to find today - although, it is unclear to me why this piece was signed, whether it was simply because the person wanted to sign the vase, possibly it was an object intended for personal use or given as a gift - or perhaps it was because of the unusual glaze.
An Unusual Example of Signed American Art Pottery
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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