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Who is Rookwood Pottery?

Rookwood’s remarkable history begins in 1880 with its founder, Maria Longworth Nichols Storer. Storer was a trailblazer, creating the first female-owned manufacturing business in the United States. Storer’s vision for Rookwood was to produce ceramics that were beautiful and of exceptional quality.

 

Installed in the Louvre, Rookwood’s dedication to innovation and excellence earned it a special place in the world of art and design.

 

Rookwood logo

Maria Longworth image

A One-of-a-Kind Partnership

Rookwood and Batesville are united by a commitment to quality—a commitment that’s persevered for more than a century. Every urn is the result of an exclusive partnership devoted to honoring life, love, grief, and memory.

The making of a Rookwood urn

Cremation Urns

Every urn in the Rookwood® for Batesville collection is a masterpiece, crafted with timeless ceramic techniques to create a truly unique work of art. While each urn shares a common elegance, no two are identical, ensuring that each one stands as a distinct tribute to a life well lived.

The Longworth

The Longworth is inspired by Rookwood’s founder, Maria Longworth Nichols Storer. Storer’s legacy as an artist, entrepreneur, and innovator continues to this day.

 

The floral-like chipping pattern is characteristic of Rookwood’s sought after Emilia ceramics collection, and the Longworth’s tasteful two-tone design elevates each piece.

Rookwood Urn example for new products page

The Celestial

The Celestial urn’s elegant design echoes Rookwood’s historic 1926 Legacy Panel vase designed by master artist Kataro Shirayamadani. It’s named for Cincinnati’s Celestial Street, Rookwood’s first location.

 

No two Celestial urns are alike. Expert glazing techniques produce distinctive color combinations, crystalline inclusions, and luminescent finishes unique to each piece.

Rookwood earth-toned ceramic urn image

The Adams

This earth-toned ceramic urn is named after the Mt. Adams neighborhood of Cincinnati, Rookwood’s original home.

 

The Adams is made exclusively for Batesville. The design was hand thrown by a talented Rookwood artist. Each urn is cast and lovingly prepared by hand, paying homage to Rookwood’s celebrated history.

Rookwood Urn example image

The Making of an Urn

Creating ceramics from a mold is a meticulous and artful process.

 

First, a sculptor crafts a master model, which is then used to create the mold. The mold is filled with clay slip—a liquid clay mixture—and left to set, forming the shape of the piece.

 

Once the clay has dried, the piece is carefully removed from the mold and fired in a kiln to harden. After this initial firing, artisans apply glazes, which are carefully chosen for their color and finish. The piece undergoes a second firing, where the glaze melts and transforms into a glassy, vibrant surface.

 

This delicate interplay of craftsmanship and creativity honors the rich tradition of ceramics, celebrating both the artistry and heritage behind the Rookwood® for Batesville collection.

  • pottery wheel rookwood urn

    At first, designs were created from original hand thrown artwork.

  • Pouring a mold for a Rookwood Urn image

    Now, a sculptor crafts a master model, which is used to create the mold.

  • The making of a Rookwood urn

    The mold is filled with clay slip—a liquid clay mixture— and left to set, forming the shape of the piece.

  • Fired mold of a Rookwood urn image

    Once the clay has dried, the piece is carefully removed from the mold and fired in a kiln to harden.

  • Rookwood urn final product image

    The piece undergoes a second firing, where the glaze melts and transforms into a glassy, vibrant surface.