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Cincinnati circa 1906. "Rookwood Pottery," noted maker of artsy mass-market ceramics. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
Here in a German neighborhood called Over-the-Rhine, it's hard to say what's more fired up, the kilns at Rookwood Pottery Co. or the company's president, Christopher Rose.
When he bought the art pottery in 2005 with his brother, Patrick, Mr. Rose told him, "This company is a racehorse sitting in the chute waiting for the gate to open.
That patterned stucco was tooled while still fresh to create the design. Too bad it was painted; it looked better when natural. Very interesting nonetheless!
They are now located in the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood: http://www.rookwood.com/
My guess is "Molesting this property."
It gives me the feeling of large ceramic tiles. I too wonder what it is.
The streetcar tracks lead to and from the Mount Adams Incline which was just to the left of Rookwood. The incline has been featured on Shorpy and can be seen under "streetcars" as "The Underwear Railroad."
It was a fascinating ride up the hill from downtown Cincy, especially in the summer when they used the open air streetcars.
That wall also includes a remnant from an ad for Enameline.
In the early '70s I took a photography course taught by Kazik Pazovski in the basement of the wing on the far left, where he had his studio and darkroom.
I have also eaten in the restaurant mentioned earlier on numerous occasions. Some of the tables are actually located in the old kilns that were used by the pottery.
I have several Rookwood pieces that were made in that building. They were passed down to me from from my mother.
Rookwood has also done some larger pieces such as fireplace surrounds and some ceramic decorations for homes and schools in the Cincinnati area.
One of those panels on the billboard fence says something (upside down) about a reward for "information leading to arrest and conviction of a-- "
I guess we'll never know!
The building now houses the the Rookwood Bar & Restaurant. I know I ate there many years ago.
Wow -- what is the decoration on the exterior panels? I've never seen anything quite like that!
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