Imperial I and II

I

There is no confusing Imperial I with Imperial II. Though both were introduced late in the first quarter of the 20th century, Imperial I has a rustic appearance, with a rough textured surface that mixes muddy green, brown, and ivory, and a stylized grape vine that has an odd pretzel-like appearance. This motif is set off by a shamrock-shaped leaf and a blue-gray blob that suggests a grape cluster, but you really have to use your imagination to see any grapes. Pieces are unmarked. Imperial II is the later version, and many of the vessels have striking color combinations, like yellow-lavender, turquoise-pink, orange-green, or mottled amber and raspberry, often dripping or blurred together. Pieces are mostly unmarked but occasionally have paper labels.

Imperial I basket
minor fleck at edge of base, unmarked, 10 3/4″ by 10″.

$175-$225

Imperial I basket
unmarked, 6″ by 7″.

$175-$225

Imperial I basket
unmarked, 10 1/4″ by 6″.

$150-$200

Three Imperial I pieces
basket with 2″ glaze scaling to rim, triple bud vase, and low bowl with hairline to rim, unmarked; 12 1/2″ by 6″, 7 3/4″ by 4 1/2″, and 2 1/2″ by 8 1/2″.

$250-$300/set

Imperial I hanging basket
several small chips and 1″ crack near one hole, unmarked, 4 1/4″ by 7 3/4″.

$50-$60

Imperial I low bowl
unmarked, 7 3/4″ by 2 7/8″.

$125-$150

Imperial I triple vase
(29-8″), 7 5/8″ by 4 3/4″ by 3 1/2″.

$300

Imperial I bulbous vase
unmarked, 10″ by 8″.

$250-$300

Imperial I footed vessel
with closed-in rim, 1/4″ glaze pimple to body, unmarked, 12″ by 6 1/4″.

$225-$250

Imperial II low bowl
covered in a mottled orange glaze, unmarked, 8 1/2″ diameter.

$350-$400

Imperial II beehive-shaped vase
in yellow and lavender, short tight line to rim, unmarked, 6″ by 5 3/4″.

$200-$250

Imperial II vase
covered in a frothy turquoise glaze with yellow band at rim, unmarked, 8″ by 7″.

$275-$325

Imperial II tapering vase
with ribbed band to body, minute fleck to body, unmarked, 5 1/4″ by 3 1/4″.

$125-$175

Imperial II bulbous vessel
with ribbed body, covered in a purple and yellow mottled glaze, unmarked, 6 1/4″ by 6″.

$500-$600

Imperial II vase
covered in a frothy turquoise glaze with yellow design around rim, black paper label, 7 1/4″ by 7 1/2″.

$500-$600

Imperial II squat vessel
with embossed collar rim and green and purple mottled glaze, unmarked, 4 1/2″ by 6 1/4″.

$300-$350

Imperial II tapering vessel
with ribbed body, covered in a dripping blue-gray over a medium green glaze, 1/2″ kiln flaw to one side and small stilt-pull chip, unmarked, 5 1/4″ by 3 3/4″.

$90-$110

Imperial II wall pocket
with mottled pink and green semi-matte glaze, black paper label, 6 1/2″ tall.

$900-$1,000

Imperial II triple wall pocket
covered in a mottled green and gold glaze, short, tight line on edge of center holder, unmarked, 6 1/2″ tall.

$250-$350

Imperial II wall pocket
covered in a mottled greenish-gold and magenta glaze, “Rv″ ink stamp, 7 1/4″ tall.

$350-$400