RIRarities

RIRarities Antiques, Fine Art, Rare & Unique Finds, MCM, Art Deco, King Louis, Antique Furniture & More!

10/10/2026

A little Saturday refresh at Rhode Island Rarities, with several 19th century paintings joining the booth. One of my favorite parts of bringing in fresh finds is seeing how they sit alongside the pottery, glass, and other antiques already on display. A few new paintings and a little rearranging can give the whole space a different feel.

Here’s a look at today’s additions. Visit our booth at Acushnet River Antiques in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to see them in person.

10/09/2026

With Halloween around the corner, today’s find feels especially fitting.

Behind the handsome black cover of this antique “Physicians’ Anatomical Aid” are detailed color illustrations with layered flaps that reveal the anatomy beneath. Opening it is part art, part science and just a little unsettling.

The craftsmanship makes this such a fascinating object to explore. Take a look inside with me.

Would you display this in your collection?

10/08/2026

Quiet form, beautiful glaze. Made in Illinois in the early 20th century, Teco pottery is celebrated for its sculptural shapes and distinctive matte green surfaces, a classic of the American Arts & Crafts movement.

Often featured on Antiques Roadshow , Teco remains a favorite among art pottery collectors. We have this piece, along with several others, available now in our Etsy shop, RIRarities.

Some glass deserves a moment in the sunlight. This Loetz vase catches the light in shifting shades of gold, turquoise, a...
10/07/2026

Some glass deserves a moment in the sunlight. This Loetz vase catches the light in shifting shades of gold, turquoise, and violet, with a softly textured surface and a folded rim that opens like a flower.

Loetz became celebrated for iridescent art glass around the turn of the twentieth century. Its flowing forms and luminous surfaces beautifully captured the Art Nouveau fascination with nature.

A little sculpture, a little alchemy, and plenty to admire from every angle.

Available now through Rhode Island Rarities.

Standing 15 inches tall, this monumental Wheatley vase combines a deep olive green glaze with boldly applied cream color...
10/06/2026

Standing 15 inches tall, this monumental Wheatley vase combines a deep olive green glaze with boldly applied cream colored flowers, buds, and foliage.

Thomas J. Wheatley established his first Cincinnati pottery business in 1880, producing work influenced by French ceramics and naturalistic applied decoration. After working at Weller, he returned to Cincinnati and established Wheatley Pottery Company in 1903.

The sculptural flowers on this example recall his early decorative work, while the rich green glaze evokes the palette associated with his later pottery. Its precise date remains uncertain, but that combination makes it especially intriguing.

Marked Wheatley underneath. Despite chips and some modest repairs to the delicate floral decoration, it retains tremendous presence.

Today’s find is a 19th century ship diorama, bringing a little maritime history ashore.Daisy kindly agreed to stand in f...
10/05/2026

Today’s find is a 19th century ship diorama, bringing a little maritime history ashore.

Daisy kindly agreed to stand in for scale. Her modeling fee is payable in Greenies

Available soon at Acushnet River Antiques

19thcentury

10/04/2026

Louis Comfort Tiffany is best known for his iconic lamps, but his artistic vision extended far beyond lighting.

Through his studios, everyday desk accessories including inkwells, pen trays, letter racks, and stamp boxes were transformed into beautifully crafted works of art. Made in bronze and sometimes accented with richly colored Favrile glass, these objects brought Tiffany’s distinctive style to the writing desk.

The pieces shown here reflect the same attention to color, craftsmanship, and detail that made Tiffany’s lamps so celebrated.

10/03/2026

A remarkable piece of Rookwood, made 125 years ago.

Standing 11.25 inches tall, this 1901 Rookwood Pottery Z-line lamp base is signed by William McDonald. Its bold spiral decoration and sculptural form give it a striking presence, with green glaze pooling beautifully around the raised details.

Bringing pieces like this closer to the camera is part of why I love sharing pottery here. There is so much to appreciate beyond a maker’s mark.

10/03/2026

If you’ve been following us, you know we love pottery but antique lighting gets our attention, too.

Especially these reverse painted shades, which became popular in the early 1900s. The painting is actually on the inside of the glass, so when you turn on the lamp, the landscape comes to life.

09/30/2026

“Do you have any Newcomb?” It’s a question we hear often and right now, the answer is yes.

With exceptional examples bringing impressive prices at auction, Newcomb College Pottery is having a moment.

Established in 1895 at Newcomb College in New Orleans, the pottery provided women artists an opportunity to turn their artistic training into a livelihood. Their work remains a celebrated chapter in American Arts & Crafts history.

This 1929 vase, decorated by Sadie Irvine, shows why. Windswept pines wrap around the form, their beautifully deep hand-carving brought to life by soft blue and lavender glazes.

A piece worth slowing down to appreciate.

Available now through Rhode Island Rarities. Visit the link in our bio for details.

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Smithfield, RI
02828

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