Identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
A striking Art Deco low bowl featuring a sharp octagonal rim and a distinctive mottled pink-to-lavender 'volcanic' glaze. Part of the highly collectible 'Futura' line, it represents Roseville's most daring departure from traditional floral motifs into pure geometric modernism. In 1928, the world was obsessed with the 'future,' and Roseville Pottery captured that zeitgeist with a line that looked like nothing else on the market.
Story
Roseville Pottery captured the stylistic shifts of the 1920s, transitioning from traditional floral motifs to experimental glazes and avant-garde shapes. The late 1920s represented a clash of tastes, where the lingering popularity of bright, iridescent parlor wares met the emerging geometric modernism of the Art Deco movement.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed · Roseville Pottery Company, Zanesville, Ohio
Condition & Value
High-gloss and iridescent ceramic glazes are particularly vulnerable to scratching and crazing; pristine surface preservation is strictly required to achieve top market values. The piece appears to be in good vintage condition with the glaze remaining vibrant and the 'mottled' effect well-distributed.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
There is a critical identification conflict in the subject item's description: true 1928 Futura pieces were never produced with iridescent glazes, and Futura vases and bowls routinely realize $150 to $500+ at auction. However, the visual description of a 'pink iridescent footed dish' strongly matches Roseville's Lustre line or the octagonal pedestal forms of the Tuscany line. Recent sales for damaged Pink Lustre compotes sit near $30, while an intact Tuscany pink octagonal bowl recently sold for $98 on the secondary market. Retail specialist pricing for intact Lustre forms rests near $147. Anchoring on these glaze and form matches—and excluding the high-tier Futura-specific comps—the fair market auction value for an intact pink iridescent compote is estimated at $50 to $90. Any crazing, hairlines, or rim chips would penalize this value downward to the $20–$30 range.
▲ Verification of the true glaze and pattern line (Lustre vs. Tuscany)
▲ Integrity of the iridescent glaze, which is highly susceptible to aesthetic degradation
▲ Absence of rim chips, crazing, or base hairlines common to ceramic pedestal forms
▲ Presence of clear factory base marks, such as blue crayon shape numbers or 'Rv' ink stamps
▼ Diagnostic mismatch: An iridescent piece cannot be valued at matte Futura market levels.
▼ Condition penalties: High-gloss and iridescent glazes show aesthetic wear much faster than matte glazes.
▼ Material ambiguity: Pink iridescent footed dishes are frequently misidentified pink Carnival glass (e.g., Fenton), which requires physical verification.
▼ Softening market demand for early 1920s lusterware compared to later Art Deco matte lines.
Best Venue
Online marketplace (eBay or Etsy)
Upside Potential
If physically inspected and proven to be an anomalous, highly experimental factory-iridescent Futura piece (highly improbable but theoretically possible), the value could jump to the $150–$250 tier.
Authenticity Risk
Medium risk. While counterfeit Roseville exists, fakes typically target high-value lines (like Pinecone or genuine Futura). Misidentification—specifically confusing depression-era pink Carnival glass for pottery—is the higher risk here. Verify the material is ceramic and check for definitive factory base marks.