Millersburg Blackberry Bark Amethyst Vase

A prominent collector from Wadsworth, Ohio told my late husband George that his brother in California had this Blackberry Bark vase, presumably made by Millersburg. The day finally came when he wanted to sell it. Ohio notified Wisconsin (George) that it was for sale. The brother shipped it to Ohio who brought it to an ICGA convention in Ohio where George bought it.

There was a real buzz at convention. Everyone thought he just walked into a room and there it was, not realizing it was a private sale. George did not enlarge on the details! 

It measures 6 3/4" high, 3 5/8" wide at the mouth, and 3" across the base. I can barely detect a mold mark. I'm thinking there must be two, one of which could be hidden in the pattern design. Many have attributed the maker as Millersburg, also known for their Woodpecker & Ivy Vase, the Acorn Vase and the Butterfly & Corn Vase. The shapes of the berries and the leaves along the rim are cleverly incorporated as part of the saw-tooth design of the rim treatment, just as the acorns and oak leaves are on the Acorn Vase by Millersburg.

According to David Doty, there are only three of these vases reported, all in the color amethyst. The last photo is courtesy David Doty where he shows one of those three.

The Mavis & Late George Loescher Collection