Hugh Cornwall Robertson

Vase

Maker

Hugh Cornwall Robertson (American, 1845-1908), designer
Dedham Pottery (American, fl. 1896-1943)

Culture

English

Title

Vase

Year

ca. 1896

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

stoneware

Geography

Place Made: Dedham; Place Made: Massachusetts

Dimensions

Height: 23.5 cm (9 1/4 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription on underside of foot: "Dedham / Pottery / [monogram HCR]"

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nutt

Object Number

1997.75.2

Type

Exhibition History

Recent Acquisitions
Inclusive and Diverse
Feb 18, 2000 – Apr 16, 2000

Label copy

Hugh Robertson's obsession with Chinese glazes eventually bankrupted his first business venture, the Chelsea Keramic Art Works. The coarse "volcanic" glaze on this vase represents one of his many experiments with the accidental effects of high kiln temperatures on metallic oxides. Eventually, he was able to satisfy investors by producing more conventional tableware at the Dedham Pottery. Experimental wares like this vase are vivid reminders of a creative genius and his belief in "art for art's sake."

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Hugh Cornwall Robertson (American, 1845-1908), designer
Dedham Pottery (American, fl. 1896-1943)
Vase, ca. 1896
Stoneware with glaze
Height: 23.5 cm (9 1/4 inches)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nutt 1997.75.2

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.