Introduction and samples by: George Rydings

For love of American Art Pottery -- the revival of an art form -- Rozart Pottery of Excelsior Springs is 30 years old this July 1st, 1999. Cincinnati Limoge or -- as we call it at Rozart Pottery --American Limoge originated at the Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1880. Many of these Potteries were founded by women who had begun as amateur China Painters. These talented women evolved into accomplished Ceramists.

 

Mary Louise McLaughlin of Cincinnati was the first to understand and execute the French technique of underglaze decoration that came to be known as Cincinnati Limoge. It utilized slip, a liquid clay, colored with oxides, just as artist uses paint. Slip was applied with a brush just as an artist in other mediums uses paints. The use of slip however is different in its application. It creates an image in slight relief, some with many applications, sculptured, scraffitoed or painted. The piece was then fired with a transparent glaze. The glaze could be shiny, matt, or semi-matt depending on the artistic motive for the finished artwork.

 

The Rookwood Pottery and others that followed in the Zanesville area talented staffs of artists. Their work was creative and individually unique. The style and beauty could not be copied.

 

George and Rose Rydings at Rozart Pottery collected these American treasures for many years. In the late sixties, they started to work with the limoge style of decorating. In 1968, with several of their children they began Rozart Pottery Studio in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1975, the pottery and the family moved to Excelsior Springs, Missouri -- a town rich in history Northeast of Kansas City. Five family members have decorated through the years. Daughters Anne, Susan, Cynthia, and Rebecca decorated pottery throughout the years and their initials can be found on many pieces through the 30 years.

You can learn more about the Rozart Pottery Staff by clicking on their names below: