Rookwood and the American Indian

About this book

"Rookwood and the American Indian: Masterpieces of American Art Pottery from the James J. Gardner Collection is a remarkable exhibition catalogue of the nation's premier private collection of Rookwood art pottery featuring American Indian portraiture. Fifty-two pieces produced by the Rookwood Pottery Company are showcased, all accompanied by black-and-white photographs of the American Indians portrayed by the ceramic artists. In addition, the catalogue includes a brief biography of each artist as well as curators' comments about the Rookwood pottery and the Indian apparel seen in the portraits." "The catalogue also presents two essays: "Enduring Encounters: Cincinnatians and American Indians to 1900," by Susan Labry Meyn, describes American Indian activities in Cincinnati from the time of the first settlers to 1900 and relates these events to national policy, such as the 1830 Indian Removal Act. "Rookwood and the American Indian," by Anita J. Ellis concentrates on Rookwood's fascination with the American Indian and the economic implications of producing that pottery line." "Rookwood and the American Indian blends anthropology with art history to reveal the relationships between white settlers and Native Americans in general, between Cincinnati and the American Indian in particular, and ultimately between Rookwood artists and their Indian friends."--BOOK JACKET.