Hand-sculpted art pottery plaque by Frederick Hurten Rhead for the Steiger Terra Cotta Pottery Works of South San Francisco, California. Circa 1913. Signed on the back with the pottery’s impressed mark. A unique Arts & Crafts - Art Nouveau style piece made during the short time Rhead worked at Steiger Terra Cotta and probably made as an architectural tile or plaque for an unknown commission. Steiger Terra Cotta was primarily a brick and architectural tile works and Frederick Rhead was the only art potter at Steiger capable of making a piece like this. Attributed to Rhead on the basis of design and craftsmanship.PLEASE NOTE: Stand shown is not included.

SIZE: Length / Height - 9” / Width - 5”

PROVENANCE: Purchased at a house sale in South San Francisco about 20 years ago. Private San Francisco collection.

NOTES / REFERENCES: Frederick Hurten Rhead (1880-1942). After his stay as director at the Arequipa Pottery in Marin County, Rhead worked briefly at Steiger Terra Cotta Pottery Works during a short-lived attempt by the company to produce art pottery. Reference: “Art Pottery of the United States” by Paul Evans (page 389).

NO RESERVE

Good condition with small losses to the flower petals, as shown.