Rookwood at Treadway

(E.T. Hurley)

Rookwood Auction

Northern Kentucky Convention Center (One West Rivercenter Blvd., Covington)

Preview- Friday, June 6. 10 am- 9 pm.

Saturday, June 7- Session 1- 10 am. Lots 1201-1522

Sunday, June 8- Session 2- 12 pm. Lots 1523-1942

Online Catalog & Information: www.treadwaygallery.com

This Saturday and Sunday the nationally recognized Treadway Gallery will host an auction of Rookwood pottery at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The world famous creations of Rookwood pottery today can fetch upwards of $300,000 and are unique for their exceptional quality and exquisite decoration. Its history is rich and can be traced back to the late 1870s, when Maria Longworth aspired to create a place for women to go and decorate pottery. Her work was almost instantly recognized for its unique decorative quality and Rookwood became one of the first major businesses owned exclusively by a woman.

Rookwood became committed to developing innovative techniques and continued to create cutting-edge work. They were the first to use an atomizer, similar to an airbrush, to glaze their creations. They were also famous for their distinctive green and golden hues, which were made from combining clay found in the Ohio Valley.

Today, you can visit the old Rookwood Pottery in Mt. Adams. It currently houses the restaurant Porkopolis, but retains its original architecture. Diners, for example, can enjoy a meal inside one of the old kilns and black and white photos decorate many of the walls. In 2006, The Rookwood Company negotiated with Michigan collector Dr. Art Townley to purchase the trademarks and over 3,000 molds used in the original factory. The original techniques are, thus, largely kept under wraps.