Sometimes unknown artists turn into hidden gems. George Ohr, a potter from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, had a unique style that combined controlled technique with an eccentric sensibility, but he sold very little and stopped making pottery around 1908. His pieces were sold at fairs as souvenirs. He was forgotten until the 1970s, when a collection of thousands of his pieces was discovered in storage. At the time, the only study of Ohr and his work was an article by Ralph and Terry Kovel. Since then, his work has been displayed in museums and shows. At a recent Rago Arts auction, one of his earthenware vases was estimated at $3,000 to $4,000, but sold for $21,250!
Photo: Rago Arts and Auction Center