Vintage Shawnee Pottery: Unearthing Mid-Century Masterpieces

Shawnee Pottery is a well-known American pottery company that operated in Zanesville, Ohio, from 1937 to 1961, with A.E. Hull Jr., son of the owner of The Hull Pottery Company, managing production. Shawnee Pottery became famous for its colorful and whimsical ceramic items, which included a wide range of kitchenware, cookie jars, planters, vases, and figurines.

Design and Style

Shawnee Pottery was recognized for its unique and often playful designs. Many of its pieces featured vibrant glazes and eye-catching patterns. Some of the most popular items included smiley-faced planters, cookie jars shaped like animals or characters, and various novelty items like teapots in the shape of vegetables.

Popular Items and Designs

Shawnee's cookie jars rank among the company's most coveted and pricey items for collectors of quirky pottery. A rare find like the cottage house cookie jar can fetch a staggering $1,000 in the right market. At the same time, more commonplace designs like Puss 'n Boots or Smiley Pig typically range from $100 to $150 – unless they boast an unusual décor, in which case, prices can easily double.

Shawnee Pottery also made waves with its whimsically shaped dinnerware, notably the Corn King and Corn Queen lines, initially introduced as Procter & Gamble premium giveaways. The first line, White Corn, eventually transitioned to a sunny yellow hue in 1946, evolving into the renowned Corn King series, characterized by its lifelike coloration resembling natural corn. By 1954, the Corn Queen line emerged, featuring lighter yellow kernels and darker green shucks, albeit slightly less valuable than its predecessor, according to Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide, now a rarity.

While authentic Shawnee pieces hold significant value, distinguishing them from lookalikes requires a discerning eye and a thorough understanding of the brand's history. Consulting reference guides or seasoned collectors is best, making sure you invest in genuine Shawnee Pottery rather than mere imitations. Even so, the color variations within the Corn King and Corn Queen lines can still pose challenges for collectors, underscoring the importance of scrutiny when adding to your collection.

Marks and Identification

Shawnee pottery pieces are typically marked with an impressed mark on the bottom, making it relatively easy to identify authentic ones. The mark usually includes the word "Shawnee" and the item number.

Collector's Market

Vintage Shawnee Pottery has a dedicated collector's market. Collectors appreciate the company's colorful designs, and rare or unique pieces can command high prices. As with any collectible, condition plays a significant role in determining value.

Demise

Shawnee Pottery ceased production in 1961, partly due to financial difficulties and changing consumer preferences. Although the company is no longer in operation, its collectible items are cherished by collectors.

Authentication

Given the popularity of Shawnee Pottery and the presence of reproductions and fakes, collectors should exercise caution when purchasing vintage pieces. It's advisable to consult collector's guides, seek expert opinions, or buy from reputable dealers to ensure authenticity.

As mentioned, most Shawnee pottery pieces were initially adorned with paper labels to identify their origin. However, due to the practical use of the dinnerware lines during the mid-20th century, these labels were often removed or worn away through regular washing and handling. Consequently, many pieces are now either unmarked or bear only the "USA" stamp.

While other companies also produced corn-themed pottery, the molds, and colors used were distinct from those of Shawnee's creations. To determine whether a corn item originated from the Shawnee factory, it's essential to examine the glaze. Much Shawnee pottery features a complete glaze inside and out, except for a raised rim or 'foot' along the bottom that mirrors the contour of the entire base.

Regrettably, many inexperienced sellers in the collectibles market tend to label any corn-themed item as "Corn King" indiscriminately, diluting its significance as a generic term. Genuine Corn King pieces in excellent condition can command prices ranging from approximately $25 to $200, depending on their rarity.

When attempting to identify reproductions mimicking Shawnee's famous designs, differences in size and inferior quality are telltale signs compared to the originals.

Shawnee Pottery is integral to mid-20th-century American ceramics history and is known for its charming and often whimsical designs. For collectors, the thrill of hunting for unique and colorful Shawnee pieces remains a rewarding pursuit.