John T. Roth, Milan, Ohio.

Native American Plaque A Rare Find for $24,150 in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, OHIO — Strong prices for art pottery were posted throughout this past weekend’s Holiday Sale at Cincinnati Art Galleries with a rare standard glaze Rookwood plaque decorated with a Native American portrait topping the list. More than 1,200 lots were offered during the two-day auction.

The Rookwood plaque, decorated by Grace Young in 1902, was one of a handful known. “These are extremely rare,” stated Cincinnati Art Galleries specialist Riley Humler, “for every portrait piece that was done by Rookwood, one out of five was a Native American, out of the Native American pieces that were done about one in every 500 was a plaque.”

The rare plaque, estimated at $17/22,000, sold for $24,150, including premium. Other top lots included a Jens Jensen decorated porcelain Rookwood vase selling at $13,800, and a Max Hentschel decorated wax mat vase with an Art Deco abstract African woman head design bringing $12,650.

A complete review will appear in a future issue.