Posted 10 years ago
VioletOrange
(150 items)
The Owen China Company of Minerva, Ohio introduced its Swastika Keramos line in 1906. Famous American potter John Lessell developed this line. He is best known for his later development of Weller LaSa. The Swastika Keramos line was produced only for a short period of time. Most believe the production ended by 1908. Many pieces have an iridescent, metallic glaze.
My example is 10.5 inches tall and depicts a surreal landscape with barren trees highlighted against a fierce, electric sky and storm clouds. It is marked on the bottom with the raised “Swastika Keramos” wafer and “510j”.
This company is new to me and I am absolutely amazed by the beauty of this piece.
Did they have a Celtic or Euro association? (with the swastika and the Keramos name)
stunning vase!!!
racer4four,
There is not a lot of information available on this company. It did win the gold medal for the best semi-porcelain dinnerware at the international Louisiana Purchase Exposition, informally known as the St. Louis World's Fair, held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904.
The factory was located in Minerva, Ohio, about 75 miles from where I live now. In 1884 it had a 1,200 population. At one point the Owen China Company employed 150 men year round; quite large for that time.
The company's founder, Edward J. Owen , appears to have had roots outside the United States as historical records indicate the business was incorporated February 26, 1903 as a "foreign corporation".
Owen himself was involved with the operation of many potteries in the first twenty or so years of the 20th Century, e.g. the East End Pottery in East Liverpool, Ohio, the Paden City Pottery, Paden City, Ohio and the Clichfield Pottery in Erwin, Tennessee.
It was not uncommon for many skilled people to have immigrated here to the USA at that time, e.g. Harry Northwood of glass making fame immigrated to this area about then.
The swastika is a decorative symbol that dates back to antiquity. The word’s origin is suastika, a word associated with any lucky or auspicious object. Cultures as diverse as Buddhism, Greco-Roman, Hinduism, Native American, and Slavic used the symbol.
Thanks VO. Such a beautiful work. I did know the swastika was a very very old symbol...pity it's connotations have changed since WW2.
This just beautiful!!!..love it!!...:-)
This piece is breathtaking it's so beautiful!
Thanks, Penny & sklo42
Stunning piece that I would love to own .. This ranks right up there amongst anything else being made in the world at that time .
Thank you so much for your kind comments Marty
What a Vase!! I just loooooooove the colors !!
Gorgeous vase..
Thanks Fionablack
Hi everyone!
I have a vase almost like this! The color scheme is different and the vase shape is a little different. Mine has a handle and pour spout and tapers from a wide round base to a smaller mouth and the stamp on the bottom
Hi my previous statement is incomplete. To continue, I saw a vase like mine on the Ney York Met Museum website. Does anyone know the value of these? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I can send pictures if needed. My vase is in good condition. Thank you!