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…
Identification
Roseville Pottery Futura Octagonal Compote, c.1928
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
Roseville Pottery captured the stylistic shifts of the 1920s, transitioning from traditional floral motifs to experimental glazes and avant-garde shapes.
Maker / Origin
Operating out of Zanesville, Ohio, Roseville was a leading force in American commercial art pottery, employing influential designers like Frank Ferrell to stay ahead of interior decorating trends.
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
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
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.
Value Drivers
▲ 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
Concerns
▼ 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 Notice
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.
The upgraded report is now attached to this item.