Bob Batchelor - Rookwood: The Rediscovery and Revival of an American Icon — An Illustrated History

Hand-carved art pottery in bisque, prior to being fired and glazed, reveals the intricate detail and beauty of clay.

Rookwood is about quality. For more than a century, our products have stood apart from mass-produced tile and pottery because they are handmade by skilled craftspeople who strive every day to deliver exquisite artwork. In an era when many organizations aim for authenticity, Rookwood quietly exemplifies it with old-world attention to detail and excellence.

And Rookwood is about civic pride. Running any business involves an obligation to customers and employees, but with Rookwood there is an extra measure of gravity because stewarding a cherished business icon is a great responsibility. Rookwood is part of the reason Cincinnati is on the map for art lovers around the globe, and the fact that it is considered a world leader 140 years after its founding would not be possible if it were not lovingly embraced by its neighbors and admirers in Cincinnati. We value that relationship and, from our home in Over-The-Rhine, we intend to keep nurturing it for generations to come.

When people visit our factory today, I see the same sparkle in their eyes that I had when I stood in front of my mantel as a young girl. They relive treasured moments as if we are the curators of fond memories. Rookwood: The Rediscovery and Revival of an American Icon chronicles the unique ways that Rookwood is so much more than simply a creator of beloved art.

Marilyn J. Scripps
Entrepreneur, philanthropist, preservationist, urban revivalist Owner, Rookwood Pottery

A lthough founded in 1880, Rookwood was launched on thoroughly modern ideas. As the first woman to establish a large manufacturing enterprise in the United States, Maria Longworth Nichols Storer created a nineteenth century version of a high-tech startup. Rookwoods success depended on scientific innovations and technical advances, as well as recruiting talented artists and craftsmen essential in launching a new industry.

Imagine, then, as this pioneering startup grew, its artisans honed their craft to the point that in less than a decade, Rookwood had won international recognition as the finest ceramic art pottery in Americaand, perhaps even more impressive, quickly gained on its European and Asian competitors, many of which had been making pottery for hundreds of years.

This global success story sprouted from the nations Midwest heartland in Cincinnati, one of the mightiest of the many towns on the grand Ohio River. Rookwood became the crown jewel of the Queen City, its primary tourist destination, drawing countless visitors who wanted to experience the magic. An icon was born.

Marias aims harmonized with a broader transformation occurring in American homes. She and others believed that a home filled with art would uplift peoples lives spiritually and physically. The inspiration from home art would help peopleand the nationreach an elevated status.

Under the leadership of the business mastermind William Watts Taylor, Rookwoods fame spread as museums and art collectors bought its art pottery. The company next moved into architectural tile, filling many of the nations premiere landmarks as American architecture grew grander and skyward.

Then as now, the real stars at Rookwood have been its artists and dedicated production workers. Long before handcrafted became a design trend, Rookwood artisans were adamant in utilizing the finest ingredients to make glazes and ceramics, creating one-of-a-kind designs, and employing expert craftsmanship. Each piece brought together the perfect harmony of exquisite color, unique form, and eye-catching design.

Rookwood: The Rediscovery and Revival of an American Icon features more than 300 images, photos, and illustrations that highlight the immaculate artworks produced. Yet no art is created without multiple hands crafting it. As such, Rookwood also provides readers with a deeper sense of past and current artists and leaders who enabled the company to achieve its international acclaim. Multi-archival research illuminates the cultural history influencing the company and its development.

Rookwoods story is uniquely Americanan epic tale filled with hard work, exploration, grit, and success, but also struggles, failures, and devastation. Like great stories across time, the challenges were met with courage and ultimately led to rebirth and newfound accomplishment.

Now, more than ever, people are looking back at history not only to explore the past, but also to gain insight about how we might live fuller, more engaged lives. What is becoming clearer by the moment is that art is a critical, foundational facet of a well-lived life. This is the story of a great American company whose generations of artists and skilled production workers come to life in its pages.