| Cookie jars
have their origin in British biscuit jars which they have used since the
latter part of the 18th century. Cookie jars as we know them today were
only popularized in the U.S. around the time of the Great Depression in
1929. Early American cookie jars were really glass jars which were made
with metal lids which screwed onto the container. Subsequently in the 1930s,
stoneware became predominant as the material of choice for American cookie
jars. Early cookie jars typically have basic cylindrical shapes and were
often painted with floral or leaf decorations.
The Brush Pottery Company of Zanesville,
Ohio is typically recognized as producing the first ceramic cookie jar,
in the color of green and with "Cookies" on the front; most Brush cookie
jars are marked Brush U.S.A. Most all manufacturers followed the move to
ceramics in the late 1930s, and design exploration became much more innovative
as cookie jars began to be produced in figural shapes and in the shapes
of fruits, vegetables, animals, and other whimsical interpretations such
as the Hull LIttle
Red Riding Hood. The golden period for American cookie jar production centers
on the years from 1940 until 1970, with several manufacturers rising to
prominence.
McCoy
cookie jars produced in Roseville, Ohio are highly prized by collectors.
McCoy made cookie jars from about 1939 until production ceased in 1987,
and the very first one produced is today one of the most valuable-- the
"Mammy" cookie jar. McCoy also made a huge variety of fruit and vegetable
jars, and most are embossed with McCoy on the bottom. American Bisque of
Williamstown, West Virginia is recognized as another top U. S. manufacturer
of cookie jars from just after the depression. They are particularly well
known for the cartoon characters which they translated into cookie jars,
and most are marked on the bottom U.S.A.
Other well respected U.S. manufacturers
of cookie jars include Red Wing of Minnesota, Metlox
of California (maker of the highly sought Little Red Riding Hood), Abingdon
Pottery of Illinois (maker of the Mother Goose series), and Shawnee Pottery
of Ohio.
It should probably be
noted that the auction of Andy Warhol's collection of over 125
ceramic cookie jars in a fascinating variety of shapes and figures
rekindled interest in collecting cookie jars and greatly expanded
the market. Most of these cookie jars Warhol purchased at flea
markets, just like many collectors today. At an auction of his
apartment's contents in 1987, Warhol's collection of common,
everyday cookie receptacles brought an incredible $250,000.
Ever been fooled by
a fake or a seller that didn't deliver the goods as described?
At Collectics, we authenticate and stand behind everything we sell, at
prices "30% below your local antique shop" according
to Collectibles Guide 2008. Please browse our main Antiques
& Collectibles Mall to find a treat for yourself or
a great gift for others, all with free shipping. Thanks!
Buy
period vintage and antique cookie jars on the Collectics Kitchenware
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collectibles, and crafts for every collector!
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