Inkwell and cover
Medium
ceramics
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of Annie Schermerhorn Kane
Accession Number
1969-30-1-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Created by Rookwood Pottery in 1903, this ceramic inkwell and cover exemplifies the refined artistry of one of America’s most celebrated pottery studios. Founded in Cincinnati in 1880, Rookwood became renowned for elevating ceramics from utilitarian objects to fine art, employing skilled decorators who often signed their work. The 1903 date places the piece within the height of the Arts and Crafts movement, when American potteries emphasized handcraftsmanship and natural forms in response to industrialization. As a functional yet decorative object, the inkwell highlights the significance of c...