Vintage Ceramic Pots Hold the Key to Spring

The print may be Japanese but the simple style of the pots and the monochrome color work well with it.

Spring is around the corner. Soon we will have flea markets, green vegetation in our yards and fresh air blowing through our windows. There are decorative objects that make warm weather seem not so far away. Vintage ceramics molded into pots, vases and vessels in monochrome, bright colored or mottled finishes give us a taste of spring and summer no matter what the weather conditions outside. So, do more than think of these iconic American treasures, start the hunt for them as a great way to banish the winter blues.

These colorful pots with interesting shapes are from companies such as McCoy, Haeger, Roseville and others. They were made in factories in Ohio, Chicago and California. The iconic forms have deco influences from the 1940s to streamline shapes and wild colors from the 1970s to jazz up any interior. Depending on condition, glaze and type, the pots may set you back $8 to $50.  Assemble your collection based on maker, color or period.

Many of these companies had their start back in the late 19th century. The years created shifts in ownership and product production, as well as variations on company names and glazes used. These changes help date pieces. Company logos being modernized is one easy way to date a piece, so as my good friend and colleague Kelly says, turn it over.

Many companies marked their wares with raised letters or impressed numbers on the bottom. McCoy started marking its pieces in the 1930s and the font style changed over the decades. By turning a piece over, not only can you date it but you can also identify the maker. So remember, it’s not rude but necessary to flip.

Companies also used paper labels for identification. Some labels are still there, others may be partial, and yet others may have left behind only the adhesive. Finding examples on-line, in a book or at a shop is always helpful.

Bringing the Outside In

No matter if the pot is marked or not, these iconic pieces have a great design quality just by bringing the outside in, dressing up an outdoor patio, having visual impact as a group or by being used as originally intended for flowers and plants. Clustering a group of like colors in various sizes and forms makes an inexpensive item seem more important. Monochrome collections may be subtle and sophisticated and vibrant shinny glazes funkier. In lieu of a traditional holder for kitchen spoons or pens at a desk, use a vintage ceramic pot.  This may reiterate your design esthetic in a subtle way.

Follow in the footsteps of florists of yesteryear - pull a pot from your collection and arrange your spring or summer flowers in it. If it’s not summer time, take your vessel to a local florist and have him or her place an arrangement in it.

Life is short and these details add value to our lives. Something so small can bring a warmth and brightness to our winter lives as well as create interest in the coming summer months. Whatever your style, go on the hunt for these affordable multipurpose containers.

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Volume 1, Issue 10, Posted 5:25 PM, 04.02.2014