Featured Info on Ruth Weiner pottery

I don't buy much pottery. I don't know much about it to begin with, but I'm learning a great deal here about what to look for. Plus, I'm always breaking things. In the murky thrift store light, this looked like a nondescript black bowl I could possibly use for the dog to keep its food separate and for a few bucks, it seemed reasonable for something very heavy and 12 inches across. So, off it went and home with me. In the light, it came alive.

The signature looks like Ruth Weiner. I came across some things of hers on Ebay. The signature looks the same, I think. Nothing as colorful as this one that I can make out. Those items were listed as from the 60's and 70's and she is or was from the Chicago area? Any other info on Ms. Weiner? Thanks.

 

Did you see this little newspaper article?

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-07-09/news/9507130160_1_exhibit-papua-new-guinea-wearable

 

No. I didn't find that when I was googling. Thank you!

So, that was 1995. This piece could be possibly from several decades.
She worked a long time. Wonder if she's still with us?

 

I clicked on the link and it had a sidebar about the OJ Simpson trial -- was wondering why -- then I also saw 1995.

Know nothing about the artist, but agree that this is her work comparing it to the two pieces on Ebay. Sounds like her work got reasonably good money when new, esp. in 1995 dollars, but who knows whether she has a following in 2018.

Either way, very pretty piece.

 

I'm going out on a limb and guessing no, not living. I found this article about her son and daughter-in-law decorating in Oregon and it talks a bit about his mother Ruth.

http://orjewishlife.com/downsizing-to-functional-beauty/

Then looking at Evanston area obituaries, there is an obituary in 2009 for Ruth V Weiner who has a son named Michael and wife Kathy.

http://host.madison.com/news/local/obituaries/article_14eece4f-9318-5e81-ba01-ae3712f80500.html

Of course it's assuming it's the same Ruth Weiner as your pot.

 

I always look at the date of an article if it ever quotes the prices for something. Most things go up, but somethings go down. Thanks. I'm thinking of selling it before I break it. It definitely isn't going to the dog.

 

Great detective work! It seems like she was a talented artist but more importantly, according to the previous article linked, she was generous about opening her home to expose the community to other artists.

 

I love it. Are those colours iridescent? They look it, beautiful.

 

I'm not sure within the context of a pottery making technique, but visually, light does a number on the colors!

The original pics are outside in overcast natural light. These are inside a room with a ceiling light, and outside in an enclosed patio in natural light. Ideally, displayed under a skylight with natural diffused light would be my choice or under a soft ceiling light.

 

Really beautiful.

 

So, Caribou, will you still be giving it to the dog?