Back to Back Auctions of Ceramics and Silver & Jewelry at Toomey & Co.

by Kate Nixon

Rookwood & Ohio Art Pottery

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 10:00 AM CST

Toomey & Co Auctioneers

Jewelry, Silver & Objects of Vertu

Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 10:00 AM CST

Toomey & Co Auctioneers

On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, Toomey & Co. Auctioneers will hold a Rookwood & Ohio Art Pottery sale – curated by Director of Ceramics Riley Humler – with 424 lots total, including vases, bowls, pitchers, lamps, figural works, scenic plaques, and more by distinguished artists and makers. This will mark the second auction at Toomey & Co. dedicated solely to art pottery.

Rookwood & Ohio Art Pottery on Wednesday, November 10 will start at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time and likewise, Jewelry Silver & Objects of Vertu will start the next day, Thursday November 11 at 10:00 am Central Standard Time. The sales will be held at Toomey & Co. Auctioneers, 818 North Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois. Preview runs weekdays Wednesday, November 3 through Tuesday, November 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those who wish to preview or attend the auction must make an appointment by emailing [email protected]; virtual previews may also be requested. All customers are required to wear masks on the premises regardless of vaccination status. Bidders may also participate by phone by calling 708-383-5234 or leave absentee bids; please email [email protected] for leave your absentee bid. The catalog is posted online at toomeyco.com and early registration is recommended.

This auction, curated by Director of Ceramics Riley Humler, is the second auction offered by Toomey & Co with a special concentration on Rookwood Pottery. Many works by Rookwood Pottery founder Maria Longworth Nichols Storer will be featured, such as a Limoges style earthenware vase with an applied squeeze bag net holding sea creatures ($7,000-9,000). The sale also has several Kataro Shirayamadani examples, like an earthenware Vellum glaze plaque with a full moon over a lake seen between birch trees, an unusual Vellum glaze vase with five large swimming fish and seaweed, and a rare Black Iris glaze vase with painted and electroplated silver dandelions ($7,000-9,000). Other Rookwood highlights include Sara Sax’s French Red glaze bowl and Fred Rothenbusch’s rare Standard Glaze vase with tall grass, yellow irises, and a Gorham silver overlay of a golfer and caddy ($5,000-7,000). Early 20th century prints of Cincinnati and Chicago by E.T. Hurley are available plus an assortment of Hurley pottery items, for instance, a Vellum glaze vase with trees, a stream, hills, and a vibrant pink sky ($2,000-3,000).

From Weller Pottery Co., the sale has vases by Mae Timberlake as well as her rare and important earthenware Hudson six-tile tableau featuring the original Weller Pottery, as it appeared in 1872 ($10,000-20,000). Also featured in the sale is a plaid decorative plate for Cowan Pottery ($7,000-9,000). Another Cowan work on offer is a polychromed earthenware figure of a “Mexican Flower Vendor” designed by Francis Luis Mora ($1,000-2,000). Additionally, a range of vases by Wheatley Pottery Co. founder Thomas J. Wheatley ($1,000-2,000) will also be offered.

Leading the jewelry offering will be a Kalo Shop 14K yellow gold pendant necklace with pearls and garnets in a transitional Arts & Crafts to Art Nouveau motif ($5,000-7,000) and a Kalo sterling silver pendant necklace with a blister pearl and vine decoration ($1,500-2,500). Two rare items from Chicago’s Jarvie Shop will be available: a sterling oval brooch with swirling repoussé and chasing around a bezel set lapis lazuli and a sterling hat pin (higher $3,000-5,000). The sale also has ladies rings from Boston’s Edward Everett Oakes and his granddaughter Susan Oakes Peabody (higher $2,500-3,500) along with a necklace and Dogwood Blossom brooch from Cleveland’s Rokesley Shop (higher $2,000-3,000).

Silver

Chicago silver includes a Kalo sterling flatware service for 12 and a Lebolt & Co. coffee and tea service (higher $3,000-5,000). From the Northeast, the auction boasts a Gorham soup tureen with Pan head handles and a stag finial and a Tiffany & Co. oversized cocktail shaker (higher $2,000-3,000). International silver standouts include: a Georg Jensen footed sugar caster and Art Deco tray, and an Archibald Knox Tudric coffee and tea service ($4,000-6,000).

Maria Longworth Nichols Storer for Rookwood Pottery

Mae Timberlake for Weller Pottery Co.

rare and important earthenware Hudson six-tile tableau featuring the original Weller Pottery, as it appeared in 1872

rare and important earthenware Hudson six-tile tableau featuring the original Weller Pottery, as it appeared in 1872
Zanesville, Ohio, circa 1920
matte glazed ceramic
signed “Weller Pottery — 1872” lower center and “Timberlake” lower right
appears to be set in its original oak frame
tiles (sight): 12 7/8″w x 8 5/8″h; frame: 18 7/8″w x 14 5/8″h x 1 3/8″d

Estimate $10,000-20,000