For a detailed description and history of the “AMERICAN BELLEEK” and a specific discussion of this particular line, there is an EXCELLENT article on the Museum of Ceramics website entitled “LOTUS WARE” by Catherine S. Just Google LOTUS WARE. The pierced Moorish inspired lacework is recognized as perhaps the rarest of the LOTUS WARE lines, and because of the delicacy of the design it is most unusual for one of these pieces to survive unblemished. According to the treatise by Ms. Vodrey only one in twelve pieces made it through the kilns… And a third of those were accidentally broken. She states further production at the porcelain plant was costing ten dollars for every single dollar brought into KT&K. FROM THE MUSEUM OF CERAMICS. Because of the World’s Fair awards and the endless stream of rave reviews, however, KT&K felt obliged to continue. Lotus Ware had become not merely a product, but a mission–and a bold statement that American potteries could compete with such European stalwarts as Limoges, Wedgwood, and Minton. Lotus Ware was produced for just four short years. By 1896, KT&K had ceased to manufacture Lotus. Most of the moorish columbian design bowls were later hand decorated by amatures and it is just incredibly rare to find one in a “virgin” state.
