Cookie Jar Pottery

27 Jun, 2010 in art pottery by admin

Everything You Should Know About Candy Jars

Candy jars or cookie jars are functional and ornamental glass jars made from ceramic or glass and often a staple in any typical American home, and also, all across the world. In England, they are referred to as biscuit tins or jars. The type of jars is used to store various kinds of candy and other sweet treats. Sometimes, they are even used to store currency as in coins, like a piggy-bank.

Candy jars have been utilized in Britain since concluding part of the 18th century. These jars, or biscuit tins, were primarily fashioned from glass with accompanying metal lids. Glass jars became fashionable in the Unites States around 1929, known as the Great Depression Era, and many were typically made of glass with metal covers. Stoneware emerged as the more trendy choice for jars beginning from the 1930s, and many early editions have plain tube-like shape and in most cases, adorned with floral or leaf motifs or embellished with markers which are distinctive.

The first ceramic candy glass jar was first manufactured by the Brush Pottery Company in Ohio. This eponymous candy glass jar was green in color and had the word 'cookies' emblazoned on the exterior. After the introduction of the famous Brush jar, other manufacturers, recognizing the business potential, began copying the idea, and came up with their own versions of candy glass jars designed with motifs like vegetables, fruit, figures and animals. Some candy glass jars also had capricious designs such as Little Red Riding Hood. A few candy glass jar manufacturers rose to celebrity status with the culmination of the Golden Era of candy jar production between the 40s through the 70s.

For candy glass jar collectors, McCoy candy glass jars which were made in Roseville, Ohio became highly-sought after items. McCoy manufactured candy glass jars circa 1939 until they ceased production in 1987. The Company's debut jar, dubbed 'mammy' is considered one of the most priceless jars around. If one is found intact, it can be sold for thousands upon thousand of dollars. McCoy was also known to churn out fruit and vegetable jars, all though without a doubt, it is their candy jars which caused such a sensation.

Another highly-respected candy jar maker is the American Bisque from Williamstown in West Virginia. Their distinctive candy jars (which are also priceless collectibles), are embellished with many famous cartoon personalities.

Red Wing of Minnesota, Metlox Pottery from California, Shawnee Pottery from Ohio and Abingdon Pottery from Illinois are also very famous candy jar makers.

The late artist Andy Warhol loved jars so much, that he had a personal collection (mostly procured from flea markets at bargain prices) of about 175 ceramic jars. Perhaps it was this act that greatly influenced America, and not long after, started the candy jar collecting craze. Mr. Warhol's 'little' hobby received widespread coverage in the media, as his collection comprised rare candy jars from the 1930s and 40s. His collection fetched an amazing amount of 250, 000 when they were auctioned in 1987.

About the Author

DiscountMugs.com is a large distribution company based in Miami, Florida. They are web-based and factory-direct which allows them to keep prices lower than the rest of the competition. They also have a huge selection of glassware from beer mugs and champagne flutes to shot glasses and candy jars.

Info on Great American Pottery Co. [1944-1965]?

J.B Linhart changed the name of Stoin-LEE pottery to great American Pottery in 1944 thru 1965. The GAP Co was sold to American Bisque and Great American Pottery Co ceased to exist. Would like info on cookie jars or any of the pottery that was produced.

There is not a lot of info on them. Here is one link http://oldetymecollectiblespottery.com/histories/americanpottery.html. If you search eBay you can find some cookie jars which is what they seemed to mostly produce in novelty shapes (lots of clowns).

Closed Form Cookie Jar Part 2: Closing the Top