Rookwood Pottery

Herbert Peck, The Book of Rookwood Pottery, New York, 1968, p. 162 (for a related scenic landscape tile frieze installed within a fireplace mantle)

Overall in very good condition. The reverse of each tile with cement mortar from being recently removed from their original installation, and with traces of grout and mortar on some of the perimeter edges of the tiles. One tile with a small burst air bubble adjacent to the right side edge. With a few small and minor firing imperfections inherent in the making, and with some minor surface soiling to the top surfaces of the tiles. With a custom-designed painted wood frame which allows the five tiles to be presented in a continuous linear composition on the wall. If desired, this frame will be given to the successful purchaser of the lot. In reality the colors of the glazes are richer and more saturated than in the catalogue illustrations.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The impressive scenic landscape friezes offered in these two lots were recently removed from a residence located in the Arts & Crafts enclave of Northern St. Louis known as Plymouth Park or O'Fallon.  The 4,300 square-foot house was orignally built in 1912 for William Koeneman, president of the Lowell Bank, and was designed by architect Herman J. Burgdorf.  The present examples are synonymous with the wide variety of decorative tiles produced by the architectural department of Rookwood Pottery in the first quarter of the 20th century, available in varying designs, glaze colors and sizes ranging from twelve to eighteen inches.