Rörstrand, Sweden was founded in 1726.  In 1929, Rörstrand’s relocated to Lidköping. Rörstrand became part of the Uppsala-Ekeby Group between 1963 and 1984 and was then bought by the Finnish company Wärtsilä Oy in 1984. In 1987 Wärtsilä Oy bought Gustavsbergs porslinsfabrik and the Finnish Hackman Group acquired the company in 1990.

This Rorstrand Porcelain Vase measuring 10″ tall signed with Initials “KL” and “RR” sold at auction for $1,475 after 17 bids in August 2009. The seller claimed that the vase dated to the early 1900’s.

This Fischer Zsolnay Vase, circa 1880 is signed Fischer Budapest. It measures 24 1/2″ tall by 12″ wide. There was a professional repair on the top rim.

The seller wasn’t sure if this was a Aumans C. B. Masten vase. After looking at it, I don’t think it is … but the vase achieved $1,125 after furious bidding … so it probably is something.

The bottom is marked with an incised CBM , C4, and R8. The vase measures 8 1/8″ tall and 6″ wide. It has natural brown and green iridescent hues. Is it right? Please weigh in if you have more info.

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Mary Louise McLaughlin (1847-1939) published a popular book about china painting in 1877.  In 1878,  she became the first American to successfully produce ceramics with underglaze painted decoration.  She founded Cincinnati Pottery Club in 1879, it was the first woman’s pottery club in America. In 1880 she produced a manual on decorating under the glaze. She also created the largest vase made utilizing the underglazing technique and called it the “Ali Baba” vase.  In 1895, she patented a technique for inlay decoration in pottery. In 1898 she built a kiln in her back yard and became the first American to work in studio porcelain, the most difficult of all clays.

This vase, marked Losanti measures 2 1/4″ wide by 5″ tall and sold for $3,550 on ebay in April 2009.

Lillie Mitchell was an artist at Weller Pottery Company in the early 1900’s. She decorated vases in the Hudson and Louwelsa lines.  Several members of the Mitchell family were pottery decorators, working for Weller, Roseville, and other Zanesville companies.  These are a few examples of Lillie’s signature:

Sallie E. Coyne (Sallie (Sara Elizabeth) Coyne) was an artist at Rookwood in the early 1900’s. She created many lovely Vellum vases. This Rookwood Velum vase is signed “SEC” - this is Sallie E. Coyne’s signature. The vase is marked with the Rookwood logo, date 1920, shape number 2033E, and V for Vellum glaze. It also has the incised monogram of the artist “SEC” Sallie E. Coyne.

This is one of my favorite Van Briggle vases.  The salamander is crawling up the 11″ vase.  These usually sell from $600-$1200.