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Rosemeade Pottery
Contributed by Darlene Hurst Dommel
Rosemeade pottery has become a popular collectible today because its creator, Laura Taylor Hughes, chose subjects which continually fascinate people--animals, birds, fish--and modeled authentic characterizations of their living counterparts. These innovative designs were then accurately hand painted in nature's vivid coloring.
Laura Taylor combined education, experience and creative skill. Educated at UND, Taylor was a student and assistant to nationally known director, Margaret Cable. After a short period of making Dickota pottery at the Dickinson Clay Products Company, Laura Taylor was appointed state supervisor of the North Dakota Works Administration (WPA).
An opportunity to demonstrate pottery making at the 1939 New York World's Fair changed Laura Taylor's life as she met Robert J. Hughes, zealous booster of state enterprise. Together they founded the Wahpeton Pottery Company in January 1940 and married three years later.
Many of Laura Taylor's naturalistic designs reflected the native flora and fauna of her North Dakota farm childhood. A wide range of other products included place souvenirs, human forms, functional items and advertising pieces. Observing trends, Taylor met the needs and wishes of the public. The company name was changed to Rosemeade Potteries in 1953 for better name recognition and remained successful while many other companies of that era did not survive.
Distinctive lustrous glazes created by Howard Lewis, production manager, set Rosemeade apart, making it easily recognizable. Metal oxides painted under the glazes fired into colorful hues. Lewis also threw swirl pottery vases and pitchers. He learned the swirl process while working at Niloak Pottery and previously produced "Dickota Badlands" swirl pottery for the Dickinson Clay Products Company.
Joe McLaughlin succeeded Lewis as production manager. McLaughlin introduced decorative decals, including those of wildlife artist Les Kouba, and accelerated advertising specialties sales. Rosemeade Potteries closed in 1961. Although some early pottery and the swirl ware were thrown on the potter's wheel, the majority of Rosemeade was cast in molds. Most Rosemeade pottery is identified with an impressed mark or an ink stamp of the company name in black or blue lettering on the bottom.
Many of Laura Taylor's naturalistic designs reflected the native flora and fauna of her North Dakota farm childhood. A wide range of other products included place souvenirs, human forms, functional items and advertising pieces. Observing trends, Taylor met the needs and wishes of the public. The company name was changed to Rosemeade Potteries in 1953 for better name recognition and remained successful while many other companies of that era did not survive.
Distinctive lustrous glazes created by Howard Lewis, production manager, set Rosemeade apart, making it easily recognizable. Metal oxides painted under the glazes fired into colorful hues. Lewis also threw swirl pottery vases and pitchers. He learned the swirl process while working at Niloak Pottery and previously produced "Dickota Badlands" swirl pottery for the Dickinson Clay Products Company.
Joe McLaughlin succeeded Lewis as production manager. McLaughlin introduced decorative decals, including those of wildlife artist Les Kouba, and accelerated advertising specialties sales. Rosemeade Potteries closed in 1961. Although some early pottery and the swirl ware were thrown on the potter's wheel, the majority of Rosemeade was cast in molds. Most Rosemeade pottery is identified with an impressed mark or an ink stamp of the company name in black or blue lettering on the bottom.
Pheasant Figurines
Photo from Darlene Hurst Dommel, Collector's Encyclopedia of Rosemeade Pottery, Collector Books, 2000
Animal Salt and Pepper Shakers
Photo from Darlene Hurst Dommel, Collector's Encyclopedia of Dakota Pottery, Collector Books, 1996
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