Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Cowan Pottery “Laurel” 10” Art Deco Figural Flower Frog #721 /Circa 1926

In Pottery > American Art Pottery > Show & Tell and Art Deco > Show & Tell.
cncc2's loves14 of 49School of Rhoda Wager - Silver & Boulder Opal RingL.C.Tiffany Favrile Pink Morning Glory Vase.
22
Love it
0
Like it

NewfldNewfld loves this.
vcalvcal loves this.
ManikinManikin loves this.
antiqueroseantiquerose loves this.
aghcollectaghcollect loves this.
BudekBudek loves this.
VintagefranVintagefran loves this.
ElisabethanElisabethan loves this.
TreyTrey loves this.
Alan2310Alan2310 loves this.
Rick55Rick55 loves this.
SEAN68SEAN68 loves this.
kyratangokyratango loves this.
kivatinitzkivatinitz loves this.
Peasejean55Peasejean55 loves this.
surfdub66surfdub66 loves this.
racer4fourracer4four loves this.
melaniejmelaniej loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
cncc2cncc2 loves this.
See 20 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 9 years ago

    mikelv85
    (1230 items)

    I finally found something to break my late Summer drought at the thrifts. This lovely lady came from Salvation Army this morning. She was hiding in the back of a middle shelf so I walked by her a few times before she caught my eye. The mark on the bottom looked familiar to me but it was faint so I took it over to one of the windows. My suspicions were correct it was a Cowen Pottery piece and a good one too in their special "Ivory" glaze. It has a somewhat creamy yellow cast to it unlike a pure white. They made many of these beautiful "Art Deco" figural flower frogs along with other wonderful pieces for a very short period of time. My online research found this information about this great local company.
    "Originally formed as the Cleveland Pottery and Tile Company by designer, potter and teacher R. Guy Cowan, the Cowan Pottery Studio, which operated from 1913 to 1931, produced outstanding and technically extraordinary pieces, which brought international recognition to American Art Pottery. The expertise of the talented artists and chemists in residence allowed them to create distinctly modern forms and glazes during its short-lived existence that have rarely been reproduced. Cowan's best-known contribution to flower arranging – and among his most coveted works – is the figural flower holder. Cowan produced dozens of these remarkable patented designs, which were largely responsible for the pottery's success of the mid 1920's. Sadly, even as early as 1929 Cowan’s business began to suffer financially as competition to sell art pottery intensified. The Stock Market crash and the onset of the Great Depression eventually spelled doom for his pottery as the public had no money to spare on non-essentials. The company went into bankruptcy in early 1931 and closed its doors for good in December of that year. After the studio closed, Cowan spent the rest of his life as the chief designer for Syracuse China and a judge and trustee for the National Ceramic Exhibitions. He died of a heart attack while vacationing in Tucson, Arizona, in 1957 and is buried in Rocky River, Ohio."
    I also read that Jackie Kennedy Onassis collected Cowen frogs and many other types. Her collection was sold during the liquidation of her estate for a tidy sum. Laurel's in excellent condition with a few factory flaws (glaze misses and pits) but no chips or breaks. Score!! -Mike-

    logo
    American Art Pottery
    See all
    Teco Rocket Vase - Green
    Teco Rocket Vase - Green...
    $89
    Antique Art & Crafts Weller Art Pottery Baldwin Apple Tree Vase, No Reserve
    Antique Art & Crafts Weller Art Pot...
    $51
    RARE ANTIQUE ARTS & CRAFTS WELLER POTTERY KNIFEWOOD BLUE BIRDS TREE VASE LORBER
    RARE ANTIQUE ARTS & CRAFTS WELLER P...
    $180
    Antique Moorcroft Pottery - Eventide Vase - With Liberty Tudric Pewter Mounts
    Antique Moorcroft Pottery - Eventid...
    $258
    logo
    Teco Rocket Vase - Green
    Teco Rocket Vase - Green...
    $89
    See all

    Comments

    1. mikelv85 mikelv85, 9 years ago
      Thanks Ken :)....and he was a fellow Ohioan and Clevelander too.
    2. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 9 years ago
      What a lucky find, Mike, great eye as always. :)
    3. mikelv85 mikelv85, 9 years ago
      Thanks so much Katherine :) ....she really did make my day !
    4. racer4four racer4four, 9 years ago
      Well found Mike. She is delightful, and sounds a bit rare!
    5. antiquerose antiquerose, 9 years ago
      Score!! Great Find Mike ~ Thumbs UP !!
    6. mikelv85 mikelv85, 9 years ago
      Thanks Karen and Rose :)... She's a beauty.... a one in a million girl ! (I love that song...lol.)
    7. surfdub66 surfdub66, 9 years ago
      Beautiful !! :-)
    8. mikelv85 mikelv85, 9 years ago
      Thank you surf :)
    9. kivatinitz kivatinitz, 9 years ago
      Thanks for this interesting post and sharing this beatiful frog
    10. mikelv85 mikelv85, 9 years ago
      You're welcome kivatinitz :)....Thanks so much for the "love" and comment.
    11. SEAN68 SEAN68, 9 years ago
      beautiful!!!
    12. mikelv85 mikelv85, 9 years ago
      Yep, I saw that too Ken. However I think that's a bit optimistic. These are highly sought after but two to four hundred is more realistic. I saw one appraised for that sell for only eighty dollars. It's whatever the market will pay. Sometimes you get lucky and other times you get hosed...lol :)
    13. Vintagefran Vintagefran, 9 years ago
      Hi Mike, what a lovely lady and super find. Aren't the best things always hidden at the back of a dark shelf!
    14. mikelv85 mikelv85, 9 years ago
      Hi Fran and thanks :)...they sure are and it's happened more than once. I'll will make a few passes because pieces like this always seem to get by me on the first run. Middle shelves aren't at eye level so you really have to bend down to see everything that's there.
    15. antiquerose antiquerose, 8 years ago
      Loving this again MIKE !!!!
    16. mikelv85 mikelv85, 8 years ago
      Thanks Rose :)...I was bitten by the art pottery bug again (my first love) with this one.
    17. melaniej melaniej, 8 years ago
      Was just looking through Antique Trader Pottery & Porcelain Ceramics Price Guide 5th Edition and seen this beauty.
      Knew I had seen her on CW . Amazing thrift store find.
    18. mikelv85 mikelv85, 8 years ago
      Thanks Melanie :)...she's a nice companion for my Van Briggle "Shell Maiden".

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.