Arthur Ruffin (A.R.) Cole 1892-1974
Originally from Seagrove area (Steeds), moved his family to Sanford, NC. Son of Ruffin Cole.[1]
His early works are marked Rainbow in theory but his early works from Rainbow present as not marked at all. Later works are marked A.R. Cole Pottery or something and works after he was dead are marked AR Cole's pottery or something in that vein. Rainbow Pottery was apparently supplied by several distinguished potters of the time.
His daughter was Neolia Cole
Marks:
1915-1925 When he worked in his father's shop ??
1926 - 1941 Then when he was the primary maker for Rainbow Pottery he used a non-durable ink stamp so his pieces appear unmarked. Later Rainbow Pottery stamps were durable and read “RAINBOW POTTERY/HAND/MADE/SANFORD N.C.” Apparently the owner of Rainbow Pottery also contracted with JB Cole for some pieces and also Masten (who worked for Auman) for some unmarked pieces and North State for some ink stamped pieces, so not every Rainbow Pottery piece is AR Cole. I have seen it said all over the Internet and initially believed that he opened or founded Rainbow pottery and said that here, but have since learned from more reliable sources that is not really the case.
If it has an impressed semi-circular Rainbow stamp AR definitely did not do it, per his daughter. If you read the PottersForNC article about Phil Graves (and more importantly, look at the pictures, it seems obvious the ones marked in that way probably all came from the J.B. Cole shop.[2]
1941-1974 impressed circle at base reading: “A.R. COLE POTTERY/SANFORD, N.C.”
Well Known Glazes:
Brown Sugar (easily confused for J.B. Cole Red Eye Gravy or Waco Strawberry.
See also: Individual Potters
External Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLDtwH_Vzbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpV5uZYtojI
Please see the references for more detail and pictures and values.
- ↑ http://www.internetantiquegazette.com/lighting/2293_cole_a_r_arthur_ray_cole_north_carolina_seagrove_rainbow_pottery/
- ↑ http://pottersforncpc.blogspot.com/2010/01/pottery-by-phil-graves.html
- ↑ https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/183186-a-r-cole-pottery-sanford-north-carolina
- ↑ https://www.ncpedia.org/listening-to-history/george-kenneth
- ↑ https://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20060125/seagrove-pottery-still-popular-after-more-than-200-years
- ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=Z95rwd1CwvsC&pg=PA183&lpg=PA183&dq=arthur+ray+cole&source=bl&ots=dTZaAqQV1f&sig=ACfU3U2uWXiVS8sE6NwlcUbqEjUVpaCoDQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwixqvKyv7TkAhXtmuAKHQ47CiUQ6AEwEnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=arthur%20ray%20cole&f=false
More References:
http://pottersforncpc.blogspot.com/2009/10/nc-art-pottery-rebecca-jugs_8474.html