Auction Features

Lot No. 1231

Rookwood

Rare Iris glaze plaque painted by Sturgis Laurence in 1904, part of a series of works featuring rugged seascapes, all apparently done on the Maine Coast. We have sold two of the series and two appeared in the Schulman collection at David Rago’s several years ago. This sight specific view is of Bald Head Cliff, Ogunquit, Maine and features an unusual pallet of colors in brown, cream and gray. As in the other Laurence plaques, a small sailing vessel is visible, looking vulnerable compared to the rugged cliffs and crashing waves. Signed by the artist in the lower left on the front. Impressed marks on the back include the 2 1/2 inch tall Rookwood logo (found only on Iris glaze plaques), the date and experimental shape number X 1168 X. Incised on the back is a wheel ground X and the notation: “Bald Head Cliff near Ogunquit, Maine Sturgis Laurence.” Size is 10 1/4 by 14 1/4 inches. Uncrazed. There is a tiny glaze inclusion on the front which blends in perfectly with the rocks and we can only assume this is the reason for the X.