Gorgeous Antique Rookwood Jardiniere/ Ovoid Vase Signed Albert Valentien Standard Glaze Hand Painted Floral 1888 Shape 371C  8.5" Rare HTF READ

Striking antique Rookwood Pottery jardinire decorated by the companys famed chief decorator Albert Robert Valentien (frequently referred to as Robert Valentine in early records).  This piece showcases a masterfully executed botanical motif of  exquisitely handainted flowers.

The vessel features a globular body with an attractive compressed form. It transitions into a wide, stepped shoulder that tapers gently up into a ribbed, short collar.  This collar features a finely textured chevron or herringbone pattern.

Valentien beautifully painted large multi-petaled flowers around the vase which are  rendered in relief. Twisting dark green vines and leaves elegantly drape around the flowers.

Albert Valentien (often spelled Valentine on early marks) was hired at age 19 and served as Rookwood's first full-time decorator and head of the art department from 1881 to 1905. He was an expert botanical artist. His meticulous botanical precision is clearly visible in the treatment of the petals and centers on this piece.

In the official Rookwood factory catalog system, this is Shape #371C. Early records define it as an ovoid or compressed-spherical vase with a heavily ribbed or tiered collar and a wide, flared rim. It was designed to function both as an independent decorative art piece and as an ornate holder for small indoor potted plants.

This piece is preowned and antique.  There is typical age-related crazing under the gloss finish, as is common with 19th-century Rookwood standard glazes and 2 glaze pops. ***There are also 2 hair lines shown in photos. One is on the rim & is approx. 2 " long with a glaze chip.  You can feel this with your fingernail, photos 20-22.  The other is a tight hairline on the bottom that doesn't show on the inside of the pot.*** Please enlarge pics and ask any questions you may have before purchasing.

This is a rare piece of American Art Pottery. The pot is in overall lovely condition. Quite the statement piece.***An interesting point on this piece are the "ghosts" of other designs which were not painted, but are in the background,  photos 11-12. Such an interesting anomaly.***

This piece weighs over 6 pounds w/o packaging.