Roycroft Copper “Gourd” Vase, Model #239
$1,500.00
Roycroft Copper “Gourd” Vase, Model #239 — c. Late 1910s to Mid-1920s
This distinctive Roycroft vase, commonly referred to by collectors as the “nuclear power plant vase” or “gourd vase,” is listed in period records as Model #239. It was produced by the Roycroft Copper Shop in East Aurora, New York from the late 1910s through the mid-1920s, and notably does not appear in the 1926 catalog, suggesting its retirement prior to that date.
Measuring approximately 4 inches high by 6.5 inches wide, this form is known for its squat, rounded body tapering to a narrow mouth—resulting in a bold, architectural silhouette. The vase is heavy and substantial, especially when bearing the early orb-and-cross Roycroft mark, which is typically stamped on the base. This example is in excellent condition still retaining its original lacquer.
Hand-hammered from sheet copper and finished in the original Aurora brown patina, this form exemplifies the Roycroft ideal of combining simplicity with solid craftsmanship. These “fat-bottomed” vases have become iconic within the Arts and Crafts movement and are increasingly scarce on the market today.
