Rookwood Pottery Pink Matte Glaze Dish

This item is an authentic piece of American Art Pottery, specifically a small dish or bowl produced by the renowned Rookwood Pottery Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. The piece features a soft, dusty pink matte glaze that is characteristic of the company's mid-20th-century production. The underside reveals essential diagnostic markings impressed into the clay body: the iconic Rookwood reverse 'RP' logo surrounded by fourteen flames (indicating a production date around 1900-1940, specifically likely 1920s-1940s based on the glaze style). Below the logo, the Roman numeral 'LVII' (representing 1957) or a similar date code and the mold number '2130' are visible. Further down, the text 'ROOKWOOD CINTI, O.' identifies the manufacturing location. The dish has a rounded, slightly lobed or scalloped rim and a recessed oval base. In terms of condition, there is prominent minor wear along the unglazed foot rim where it contacts surfaces. The glaze appears uniform with no significant chips or cracks visible in the provided image, though the interior surface shows minor light reflections that may hide surface scratches. The piece weighs approximately 0.5 to 1 pound and measures roughly 5 to 7 inches in length. This exemplifies the high-quality industrial craftsmanship associated with Rookwood’s commercial lines during the Modern era.

Based on my visual examination of this Rookwood Pottery dish, I have identified it as an authentic production-line piece from the mid-20th century. The presence of the Roman numeral 'LVII' dates the manufacture to 1957, a period where Rookwood transitioned toward more simplified, industrial forms compared to their earlier hand-painted artist-signed works. The '2130' mold number and the characteristic pink matte glaze are consistent with the company's output during this era. The condition appears excellent with standard shelf wear on the unglazed foot; however, a physical inspection is required to check for 'pinking' (glaze crazing) or professional restorations hidden by the matte finish. The market for mid-century Rookwood production pieces is stable but saturated. Values for these items are significantly lower than the 'Golden Age' pieces of the late 19th century. Comparable sales for similar scalloped bowls (Mold 2130 or 2100 series) typically range from $50 to $100 depending on the desirability of the glaze color and presence of original paper labels. While the logo and dating system provide high confidence in authenticity, a final valuation is contingent upon a physical examination to verify the tactile quality of the glaze and sound and light tests to ensure no internal structural cracks exist. My assessment is based solely on the provided digital images and descriptions; provenance records or original purchase receipts would further strengthen the valuation.