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This listing is for a lovely Weller's standard glaze Art Pottery vase from their Louwelsa line, c. 1890-1900. This tall vase has an elongated cylinder shape and is decorated with a hand painted floral design that appears to be a bearded iris. The design is hand painted in slip under a thick gloss glaze in golden-yellow and bronze with the foliage painted in shades of green on a mahogany brown background. Vase is marked with the Weller Louwelsa trademark stamp and unidentified decorator's cipher. 

The Louwelsa name originated by combining letters from his infant daughter’s first name, Louise, along with letters from his own family and first names respectively. This type of art pottery was one of Weller’s best sellers and eventually encompassed more than 500 different styles of bowls and vases. It was also Weller’s production of this line that brought art pottery to the forefront as an industry at the turn of the 20th Century in America.

Measures 16 1/2" high with a 3 3/4" diameter top and a 5" overall width. Base measures 3 3/4" in diameter.  Weighs 5.3 pounds.

This impressive size vase has a great appearance and is in very good Estate condition although there are a few minor issues. The first minor flaw is a tiny pin-point nick on side, there are a couple of no-harm factory bubbles and some very faint minor abrasions on lower body as expected with normal wear. There is also some heavy crazing around lower edge. Please view all photos as part of description.

HISTORY:  Samuel Weller began his career producing utilitarian items such as flower pots and sewer tiles in 1851. In 1894 he formed a partnership with William Long and Long developed a standard glaze art pottery line called Lonhuda that was the first to rival the standard glaze pottery produced by Rookwood who had dominated the art pottery market since 1883. The partnership with William Long only lasted about a year and in 1895 Weller developed his own standard glaze art pottery which he called Louwelsa named after his daughter Louise. Although the standard glaze produced by Weller was a good rival to that produced by Rookwood, his artistic designs often didn't compare.  The Louwelsa line remained in production until 1924. The main problem with the Weller Lonhuda and Louwelsa lines was that marking was inconsistent and this early production was seldom marked whereas Rookwood pottery was always marked. This inconsistency in marking their production makes it difficult for collectors today to be certain as to the maker of this unmarked standard glaze production as it was also made by Owens and Roseville and possibly other smaller companies during this time.

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