Rookwood: The Rediscovery and Revival of an American Icon--An Illustrated History

Published to coincide with Rookwood’s 140th anniversary, this beautiful, collectible, fully illustrated volume tells the rich story of this female-founded, female-owned great American art pottery company.

*2021 Independent Press Award Winner in the Category of Fine Arts*

Author and historian Bob Batchelor tells the compelling story of this artisanal ceramics company, still operating in the heart of the Ohio River Valley from its founding to present day. Filled with behind-the-scenes artist and creator interviews, stories of Rookwood’s avid collectors, as well as never-before-seen images and documents from the company’s historic archives, you will see why Rookwood remains a pillar of true craftsmanship.

About Rookwood:

The Rookwood Pottery was the most famous company making art pottery in the United States in the late nineteenth century into the twentieth century, achieving an international reputation and consistently promoting artistic innovation. Proud that the pottery was “an artist’s studio, not a factory,” Rookwood Pottery is known for its exceptionally fine glazes and successful experimental designs. By assimilating the strengths of myriad aesthetic movements from the American Art Pottery Movement to Art Nouveau and Art Deco, Rookwood Pottery encouraged decorators to try unusual subjects and to explore new techniques.

The Rookwood Pottery Company is located in the bustling Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio—and it has been for decades. Pioneering artist Maria Longworth Nichols Storer founded the studio in the Queen City in 1880, building the business and laying the foundation for what Rookwood is today: a world-renowned artisanal ceramics company, operating in the heart of the Ohio River Valley.

From New York’s Grand Central Station to The Louvre in Paris, contemporary boutique hotels to historic homes, Rookwood has truly made its mark on the world in the past three centuries. And now, it’s embarking on the next chapter.

Today, Rookwood continues to build upon its rich heritage, creating high-quality pottery and architectural tile in the United States. With a team of just over 70 employees, Rookwood is deeply committed to its mission: cultivating artistic inspiration, giving back to the community, and balancing its rich legacy with forward-thinking momentum—ideas that are central to the Rookwood brand. The company takes pride in their process, their people, and their product, ultimately creating premier pieces with a story—and a one-of-a-kind luxury experience that can only be Rookwood.