Reproductions
Distinguishing genuine Dedham Pottery® from reproductions and other representations is important. Their values can vary greatly. Unfortunately, many gift shops and dealers mistakenly describe and label these reproductions as genuine Dedham Pottery. Collectors and sellers should be aware of what they are acquiring or selling. You can identify the origin and authenticity by looking at the potters mark.
If you need help distinguishing reproductions from genuine Dedham Pottery, please contact Jim Kaufman. Jim is is the recognized authority on Dedham Pottery®.
By phone, email or form
Chelsea Pottery U.S. 1891 to 1895
Before Dedham Pottery, the Robertson’s made blue-decorated, crackle-glazed pottery in Chelsea, Massachusetts between 1891 and 1895. It was then called Chelsea Pottery U.S. and marked with an impressed cloverleaf containing the letters C.P.U.S. from 1891 to 1894, and then with an impressed head-on angle rabbit mark in 1895.
1891 – 1894
Chelsea Pottery U.S. impressed cloverleaf with C.P.U.S. mark on pieces made in Chelsea, MA from 1891 to 1894.
1895
When the Robertson’s decided to relocate their pottery business from Chelsea, Massachusetts, they ceased using the impressed cloverleaf mark and replaced it with an impressed head-on angle rabbit mark used during 1895 production in Chelsea. However, this impressed rabbit mark persisted in Dedham, where they incorporated it with the printed blue stamp Dedham Pottery mark.
Genuine Dedham Pottery 1896 – 1943
The Robertson family produced Dedham Pottery in Dedham, Massachusetts, between 1896 and 1943. They used two different combinations of marks combining the printed blue “Dedham Pottery” stamp and the impressed head-on angle rabbit.
1896 – 1928
Once established in Dedham, Massachusetts in 1896 as “Dedham Pottery,” a new printed blue stamp mark was introduced on crackle-glazed dinnerware. The stamp featured a rabbit beneath the words “Dedham Pottery” and was accompanied by the impressed head-on angle rabbit mark. However, as the glaze was applied and fired after the impressed mark was embedded, it often became obscured by the thick glaze. This design persisted until 1928.
1929 – 1943
Between 1929 and 1943, Dedham Pottery began using the square blue stamp mark with the word “Registered” beneath it. They also began using two impressed head-on angle rabbit marks along with the blue stamp mark.
Dedham Museum & Archive
Owner of Dedham Pottery Trademark
The Dedham Museum & Archive (formerly Dedham Historical Society) acquired the rights to the name and trademark for Dedham Pottery in the early 1990’s. Their ownership precludes others from making pottery that is called or marked Dedham Pottery.
From 1996 to 2018 the Dedham Museum made 300 limited edition plates of a particular genuine Dedham Pottery design for an annual fundraiser. As the museum owns the rights to the trademark, they employed the Dedham Pottery mark on their work, but used green instead of blue and much larger than the original mark. The plate shapes were also different from the original pieces. This was meant to make a clear distinction between the original and those made by the museum.
Dedham Museum & Archive “English Mushroom” design produced as the 2010 Dedham Pottery Limited Edition Collector’s Plate
Dedham Museum & Archive (formerly Dedham Historical Society) used green instead of blue and much larger than the original Dedham Pottery mark.
During the last 50 years, two Massachusetts family businesses — The Potting Shed and Nash Pottery made pottery resembling genuine Dedham Pottery. Both were honorable and never referred to their work as Dedham Pottery, though they acknowledged their inspiration. They marked their pieces differently. These “reproductions” were hand decorated, as was genuine Dedham Pottery, and were of high quality.
Please note that The Potting Shed and Nash Pottery also made a large number of shapes and forms with no resemblance to genuine Dedham Pottery.
The Potting Shed
The Potting Shed was founded by Chotsie Starr in West Concord, MA, in 1977. Her sons, Rob and Chris, were deeply involved with the business. Rob eventually became head of the firm. Their pottery items were marked with a blue star, the artist’s initials, and the two-digit date of production. They are no longer in operation, but you can still find their items in shops and online.
An example of Pottery Shed decorating style.
Most Potting Shed products show a blue star, a two digit date for the year, and the decorator’s initials.
Nash Pottery
Nash Pottery of Walpole, MA, was owned by Barbara and Kenneth Nashawaty. They made a fine Dedham Pottery-like line of ceramics in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Like the products of the Potting Shed, their pottery was hand-decorated in blue on an intentional crackle-glaze. Their mark often included the letters “NP.” They are no longer in operation, but you can still find their items in shops and online.
An example of Nash Pottery decorating style.
