Kenton Hills Porcelain: Cincinnati Art Pottery
Kenton Hills Porcelain was a short-lived but artistically significant pottery that operated in Erlanger, Kentucky (near Cincinnati), from 1939 to 1943. Founded by Harold Bopp, a former Rookwood decorator, and David Seyler, Kenton Hills employed several ex-Rookwood artists including William Hentschel, Rosemary Dickman, and Jens Jensen. The pottery produced high-quality art ware with sophisticated glazes that reflected the Cincinnati ceramic tradition, making surviving pieces rare and collectible.
History & Artists
The pottery was established during the late Depression era with the ambition of creating fine art pottery in the Rookwood tradition. Key artists included Harold Bopp (floral and figural decoration), William Hentschel (noted Rookwood veteran known for stylized designs), and David Seyler (sculptures and figural pieces). World War II forced closure in 1943 when materials became scarce. The extremely short production period -- barely four years -- means total output was limited.
Identification & Marks
- Impressed mark: "KENTON HILLS" in an arch over a stylized "K" or "KH" monogram
- Artist signatures/ciphers: Individual artists used their own marks or initials
- Shape numbers: Incised numbers indicate specific forms
- Glaze notations: Some pieces have glaze formula numbers on the base
- Pieces are typically well-potted with clean foot rings showing fine white or buff clay body
Glazes & Styles
- Matte Glazes: Soft, velvety finishes in blue, green, rose, and gold
- High Gloss Glazes: Rich, deep-colored finishes
- Aventurine Glazes: Glittering metallic effects, among the most prized
- Decorated Pieces: Hand-painted florals and stylized designs by named artists
- Figural Pieces: Animal sculptures and decorative figures by Seyler
Auction Price Ranges
| Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Small vases with standard glazes | $100 - $400 |
| Medium vases with fine glazes | $300 - $1,000 |
| Artist-decorated pieces | $500 - $2,500 |
| Aventurine glaze pieces | $400 - $1,500 |
| Figural sculptures by Seyler | $500 - $2,000 |
| William Hentschel decorated pieces | $800 - $3,000 |
| Exceptional or unique examples | $1,500 - $5,000 |
Condition Factors
Due to the rarity of Kenton Hills, minor condition issues are more tolerated than with common potteries. However, chips and cracks still reduce value by 30-50%. Glaze condition is important, particularly on aventurine and matte pieces where flaws are most visible. Original factory defects (kiln marks, minor glaze pops) are acceptable. Examine bases carefully for grinding that may conceal chips.
Collecting Tips
Kenton Hills represents one of the rarest American art potteries, with pieces appearing infrequently at auction. Artist-decorated examples, particularly by Hentschel, command the strongest prices. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky provenance means pieces surface most often in the Ohio Valley region. Because of limited production, any marked Kenton Hills piece has inherent rarity value. Collectors of Cincinnati art pottery (Rookwood, Roseville, Weller) often pursue Kenton Hills as a sophisticated complement to their collections.