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 entered the art pottery market in the early 1900s to compete with manufacturers such as Rookwood.
Roseville's first art line, Rozane, concentrated on darker backgrounds with painted artwork featuring portraits, nature scenes, florals and animals, all popular themes incorporated into early 20th century pottery. The company's Cremo line, which is extremely rare and valuable, is said to have been created using Rozane blanks.
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.
Valuing Roseville
Although prices seem to have stabilized somewhat during recent years, shoppers 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.
Quality varies from piece to piece with most Roseville wares. Since artists decorated each one by hand, the talent of the individual came into play with each item 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. Pieces with strong mold shapes are also desirable.
However, most all genuine Roseville pieces are considered collectible and even the most common still hold some value these days. Roseville umbrella stands, floor vases and jardiniere with matching pedestals are increasingly harder to locate at reasonable prices and can sell for well over $1,000 today. The Pinecone, Wisteria and Sunflower patterns are also popular, and often sell for hundreds per piece when they can be located. Even the most common pieces in excellent condition regularly sell for $50 or more through online auctions and in antique shops.
Learn more about values: Roseville Online Price Guide
Identifying Roseville Fakes and Reproductions
If Roseville has recently caught your eye, keep in mind that reproductions from China have been showing up in the pottery market for quite some time now. Although avid Roseville collectors easily recognize most of these fakes, beginners might find them a bit more difficult to distinguish.
Tips for detecting Roseville repros:
Inexperienced antique dealers sometimes find themselves taken in by Roseville fakes and may unknowingly pass them on to collectors. Reproduction Roseville regularly shows up in antique malls and at flea markets across the country so it's wise to exercise caution on items priced exceptionally low. Not that you won't find a sleeper here and there, but prudence will save you money and grief in the long run.
Before starting a collection, the best way to avoid a fake out is to look at as many authentic pieces as possible. Learn the distinguishing characteristics first hand, and if possible, take a really close look at a piece you know to be a reproduction. Ask an expert dealer or collector to point out the differences between old Roseville and new imports.
Guides on the subject, like The Collectors Encyclopedia of Roseville Pottery (Collector Books), can be located for sale online and they offer useful tips as well. Some libraries also have copies of books containing valuable information on age, markings and reproductions in the pottery field that will help you buy with confidence.
