Maria Longworth founded the first female manufacturing company in the U.S. – Rookwood Pottery – in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1880. Gleaning inspiration from fine Japanese designs, she changed the way American pottery was viewed by hiring a team of artists, talented students and glaze technicians, according to the Rookwood Pottery Web site.
In 1886, Rookwood began using a reverse RP logo. A flame was added around the logo each year to mark the date the piece was produced. In 1901, the company began using Roman numerals to date its pottery.
In 1887 ceramic artist Kataro Shirayamadani began decorating Rookwood. His work represents some of the company's most valuable pieces. A piece decorated by Shirayamadani sold at Cincinnati Art Galleries in 2004 for $350,750.
Rookwood’s pastel pieces are more common, and less artistic than work of Shirayamadani and other artists. They are still widely collected and many examples easily sell for good sums. Rookwood faience tiles are also valued by collectors.
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