Roseville Clematis

Along with Stickley furniture and the copper lamps of Dirk van Erp, the works of the Roseville Pottery Company are treasured staples of the American Arts and Crafts movement. The straightforward naturalism of vintage Roseville bowls, vases, dishes and other ceramics represent a frank, American aesthetic distinct from the more stylized European Art Nouveau works of the same period. Roseville Pottery works are the essence of honest artisanry.

Founded in Roseville, Ohio, in 1890, the company originally focused on flowerpots, mixing bowls, and other household items, but branched out into art pottery in 1900. An early manifestation of the Arts and Crafts movement in the United States — which celebrated traditional craftsmanship and would influence designers and architects including Frank Lloyd Wright — was Fulper, Rookwood and Roseville pottery. Hand-painted florals and gourd-like shapes were the pieces’ most obvious characteristics. 

Roseville pottery typically features decorative motifs inspired by nature — the company’s Pinecone and Blackberry patterns are perennial favorites among collectors — and glazes in warm, earthy shades of brown and gold.

Roseville's Pinecone pattern was the brainchild of art director Frank Ferrell, who sculpted the prototype for each piece by hand. His most successful ideas went into mass production, while others were limited to only a few experimental pieces. These “experimentals” are now the most sought-after Roseville wares — look for the official Roseville pottery marks on the bottom or side of a piece, along with a number or (in some cases) even a note.

As you will see from the items on these pages, Roseville Pottery produced ceramics of timeless and enduring warmth and beauty. They merit a place in every collection of American design.

Find vintage Roseville bowls, vessels and other works for sale on 1stDibs.

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with antique and vintage decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style. 

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation: Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.