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RERAMIC STUDIO 
SOME HAND BUILT POTTERY 
Mrs. Maria A. Loomis 
We illustrate on this page the interesting work of Mrs. 
Maria A. Loomis of Syracuse. 
Her hand built pottery is made of various clays fired 
at quite different temperatures, some being of Lyons 
clay and some of stoneware. The styles of decoration 
and forms are quite as varying as the clays, like the 
work of one so fascinated with it that she can not resist 
trying every method for the mere pleasure of seeing how 
it is done. It is probable, however, that for her own work 
she will settle finally upon stoneware although using a variety 
of materials with her pupils. Mrs. Loomis is an extremely 
painstaking and conscientious worker and no doubt will be 
better known to crafts workers before long. 
AN HISTORICAL COLLECTION OF THE ROOKWOOD 
POTTERY 
Established in 1880 by Mrs. Maria Longworth Storer, 
the first kiln was drawn on Thanksgiving Day of that year. 
Early in the history of the Pottery it became a custom to 
retain every year some representation of each variety of 
ware as it was developed. The Rookwood Museum begins 
with one piece from the first kiln in 1880, contains a good 
many pieces made in 1881, within the first twelve months 
of its existence, and thenceforth represents every year. 
The collection of two thousand specimens publicly shown 
in 1 906 for the first time is of the greatest interest as illus- 
trating the gradual development of an art industry from a 
purely local to a world-wide reputation. Though it re- 
mains the property of the Rookwood Pottery it has for 
safe-keeping been deposited in the Cincinnati Museum 
where it will be permanently installed when space can be 
found. For the present it can be shown only temporarily. 
In connection with this collection attention should be 
given also to the large case of Cincinnati Pottery, in the 
Ceramic Gallery, where the experiments from 1875 to 1880, 
prior to the establishment of Rookwood, can be studied. 
In examining the Rookwood Collection the following 
data will be helpful : 
The earliest wares were light and not dark, as is usually 
supposed. 
The yellow glaze, brown ware became characteristic 
of the Pottery in 1884. The Tiger Eye first appeared at 
the same time, and is the highest attainment in that line, 
being the first of all crystalline glazes, antedating those of 
different type afterwards produced in Europe. 
At the Paris Exposition of 1889 a Gold Medal was 
awarded for the yellow glaze and Tiger Eye. 
At the Paris Exposition of 1900 the Grand Prize was 
awarded in recognition of the very great variety of wares, 
including notably the "Iris," a light ware, then matured. 
Here also the mat glazes first appear. 
At St. Louis in 1904 the mat glazes, added to the earlier 
types, secured two Grand Prizes. The most notable vari- 
ety here is the "Vellum." 
"Standard" or yellow glaze, including Tiger Eye, was 
fairly well matured by 1889. 
"Iris" which began about 1886 was matured in 1900. 
Mat glazes of the enamel type, starting about 1900, 
have advanced greatly in 1905. 
"Vellum," attained in 1904, is the result of long ex- 
periment since 1886; a direct development from the "smear 
glaze," though altogether different in character. 
