Shape Numbering Systems at Roseville

At Roseville the most orderly shape numbering system was used between about 1916 and 1946. During those years, shape numbers were assigned by shape family and in numerical (and therefore chronological) order. In the table of Shape Number Families, the ca. 1916-1946 shape numbers are shown in boldface.

Some Creamware items (like Persian and Tourist) were numbered in accordance with this system; others (like Juvenile) were numbered separately. Some shapes in Rozane Pattern begin with the letter "R." Some Sylvan shapes begin with the letter "S."

In 1947 an alpha-numberic system was introduced (used for the lines Snowberry and Wincraft, and later for some examples of Capri and Burmese). This system proved cumbersome, and was not used very long.

Starting in 1948, Roseville adopted a numbering system in which the first digit of a shape number identifies the line: Wincraft shape numbers start with "2," Apple Blossom with "3," Pine Cone Modern with "4," Ming Tree with "5," Gardenia with "6," Silhouette with "7," Bittersweet with "8," and Mock Orange with "9."

The so-called "short lines" (such as Lotus) were numbered separately, as were both Raymor and commercial items like Hyde Park. By 1954 the company's financial difficulties were more pressing than other considerations; lines introduced just before the factory closed sometimes have an individually assigned sequence of shape numbers.

As noted in the Index to Bassett's Roseville Prices, during 1916-1946 Roseville sometimes defined as one shape family a group of items that present-day collectors may view as unrelated. For example, the "Novelties" category includes many bud vases, cornucopias, fan vases, flower frogs, gates, and strawberry jars.

Reproductions of Roseville Pottery

© 2002 Mark Bassett
Updated 04/02/02