Rookwood Pottery Arts & Crafts Inkwell (1922)

Description This is a robust example of American Arts & Crafts pottery produced by the famous Rookwood Pottery Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Form: The inkwell features a sturdy, architectural cube shape with a square footprint.
• Design: The sides are molded in relief with a stylized oak leaf and acorn motif. This naturalistic design is a classic element of the Arts & Crafts movement, symbolizing strength and endurance.
• Glaze: It is finished in a matte glaze, likely from Rookwood’s “Matte” or “Vellum” line. The color is a mottled blue-green or slate blue, with the high points of the relief (the leaves and acorns) revealing a warmer, brownish-tan clay body underneath, highlighting the design texture.
• Components: It retains both its original ceramic insert and the matching ceramic lid. The lid is a simple, flat disk with a small lip that sits flush on the insert.

Markings & Identification The base bears the standard impressed Rookwood factory marks:

• The RP Logo: The reverse “R” and “P” surrounded by flames.
• Date: Below the logo, the Roman numerals “XXII” denote the year 1922.
• Shape Number: The number “2034” is impressed, identifying this specific square inkwell mold in the Rookwood catalog.