The Roseville Ferella line, sometimes spelled as “Ferrella”, was a line of Roseville Pottery that was introduced in 1930. It was a hit the moment it was released. The tans and reds, and to some degree, the 
greens, generally found in this line added a certain flair and remains a sought-after collection even today. According to Mark Bassett, there were twenty four Roseville Ferella shapes, including flower blocks, flower frogs a footed bowl and vases.
The line was named after then-art director Frank Ferrell, who was inspired by the work of Keramic Studio’s editor, Adelaid Alsop Robineau. Most notable are the unique “piercings” along the necks and even the base of many of the Ferella pieces. You’ll also notice beveling on some pieces as well as the textures that are carved in some of the vases; they provide a nice contrast to both the view and feel of the pieces.
The Roseville Ferella line offers matted glazes and before Ferella completed what would soon become an incredible popular line, he ensured the carved lotus that was found in what eventually became his inspiration, was removed.
Many of the Ferella pieces command hundreds of dollars.
Always a favorite, the Roseville Gardenia was described in one of its advertisements in 1950, and upon its release, as a “truly thrilling beauty” of “large gardenias and green leaves on three softly blended background colors”. Generally, these background colors incorporated either a brown or gray color, but as Bassett explains, it was the gray color that was more of a “typical 1950s color choice”. Both are simply lovely, and especially with the matte glaze that’s typically found in this Roseville Pottery line. There were either 39 or 40 shapes (the discrepancy is due to an advertisement that declared the total of forty shapes, while the factory stock pages only list thirty nine).
Of course, the gardenias that are found on this line of American art pottery are what differentiate them. Regardless of which background color a piece has, the fact is, it really is a remarkable collection, complete with textures, carvings and with an incredible attention to detail. In fact, in one advertisement, one of the Gardenia bowls is described as “exceptional, having a rim that is upswept into a sculptural feather-like shape at each end”. The descriptions are absolutely accurate – this particular bowl is one any Roseville Pottery collector would cherish.
So what is your favorite Roseville Pottery line? Drop us a line anytime and be sure to visit our brand new site, Art Pottery Place. Here, you can bid, buy, sell or swap art pottery. Registration is easy and it’s a great alternative to eBay.
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