There’s nothing more elegant than a perfect American art pottery piece that has a deep, rich high gloss finish. Many say it lends a certain sophistication. While the semi-matte looks will always have a place in every collection, there are those of us who appreciate that light-catching finish that a high gloss provides. The Roseville Pottery Lustre line is one example of how remarkable the right finish can be.
Some refer to this line as more art-deco, though technically, it’s not. It was introduced in 1922 and the shapes are described as “classical, but with delicate handles and bright colors”. In those days when the line was being produced, it was one of Roseville’s more popular lines. It should be noted, these pieces were one color with no florals or other abstract designs. The depth comes from the gloss and slight hue variations. It’s interesting to note that in today’s contemporary world, it’s not generally ranked as high with collectors as those other lines, such as the Roseville Ivory line with its matte finish. The Ivory line was introduced in 1939, long after after Lustre had been released.
As far as markings, there are pieces that have a die-impressed Rv logo, though there are more that don’t. In 1923, a paper logo accompanied this line, which as we know, means today’s finds might be minus those labels.
Ask any fan of the Roseville Lustre line, and you’re likely to hear an animated explanation of why this is one of the most beautiful lines. The way the light hits those rich glossy pieces and how it plays off those subtle hues. The interesting shapes more than make up for the lack of any kind of flowers or other decorations. To be sure, less is definitely more in this line. There’s nothing to stand in the way of its uniform presentation. There are a few baskets that certainly play 
right into the “art deco” designation. Unlike traditional baskets with a uniform handles, the Lustre basket handles have a dramatic inverted V shape. It really is lovely. Some of the darker finishes have an almost iridescent look; very elegant.
In total, the Roseville Lustre line had sixty shapes, including candlesticks, vases, bowls and flower blocks.
