We’re hanging out in the kitchen, where McCoy pottery is in the china cabinet, on shelves, and on top of the cupboards. When we first looked at this house and saw the kitchen, I immediately knew that I would be displaying McCoy on top of the cupboards. In fact, one of the first things I did – even before the move here – was to pack up some of my larger pieces and bring them to the house. There was nothing else in here, but there was McCoy.
A stoneware console bowl, from the 1930s. This lives on a little shelf below the kitchen cupboards.
I love this detail on the inside.
A double cache pot and a bookend.
This double cache pot is one of the first pieces I purchased. What’s not to love about this beauty? It’s in great condition and the bird, the bird just kills me. It’s from 1949. It comes in this color combination and also in a yellow and green combination – the cache pots being yellow. It lives next to the console bowl on that little shelf.
McCoy made several styles of bookends. This is one of them. I only have one. Sob. But I’ll get another some day. It’s a planter bookend and it’s from 1953. It lives on the windowsill over the sink.
A vase and a flower pot. They live above the cupboards.
This vase is from the 1940s. Such a sunny yellow color!
Here’s the mark on the bottom.
This is called the Sand Dollar flower pot and it’s one of my favorites. It’s rather large and beautifully designed. I have two of them. The other is on the sideboard in the living room and has an actual plant – a pothos – in it. From the 1940s.
This piece, which my friend Heidi gave to me, has in interesting history. During WWII, the bulk of McCoy’s production was given over to ceramic land mines. Though the resources available to McCoy were scarce in wartime, they had permission to use any clay left from the production of land mines to create a dinnerware line – the Oven Serve line. This casserole is from that line.
The interior. Lots of crazing. I like that.
A very basic mark on the bottom, with McCoy etched into the clay.
Oh yes, my friends, I have more. A few more pieces from the kitchen and then some pieces that live upstairs. We’ll have more McCoy on Saturday.
Happy Wednesday.
Shame on you Claudia ;-) I now have a McCoy addiction! I don’t care ~ I am head over heels.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
It’s easy to fall head over heels for these pieces, Susan!
Holy Smokes Claudia, I never realized you had so many beautiful pieces!! Doris
I’m thinking I have about 60 pieces – but that’s just a guess.
I like that you have such a varied collection – the bookend was unexpected.
My goodness, you certainly know the history of McCoy – I thought the story behind the dinnerware was particularly interesting. Wonderful series!
I researched the dinnerware when I first received that piece. That was such a fascinating story – about sacrifice in wartime and how companies adjusted and pitched in for the cause.
The joy continues as I visit and enjoy each piece. Gosh the glazes are amazing. I think that is the thing about pottery in general and McCoy in particular that I love. Such colors and styles. I’ve acquired two new pieces of McCoy since you started the series but I know they won’t be my last!
hugs,
Linda
I love that you are sharing your collection of McCoy pottery. The interesting and different details in the style and glazes is what I like the most. I have enjoyed reading about the history of McCoy as well. I have a collection, but have never really researched or spent time learning about McCoy. Enjoy your lovely cottage with things that you guy’s love…
I can’t get enough of viewing your McCoy! This past weekend I bought a small Blossom Time pot at Junk Bonanza in Minneapolis. It is the sixth piece in my little “collection”. I too have been inspired by you to begin collecting.
I bet that pot is lovely, Carolyn Marie. And I envy you getting to go to Junk Bonanza!
I knew nothing about McCoy pottery until I started seeing it on your blog. It is all so lovely, and I love the story of the casserole pot. It is on my radar now. Your collection is just beautiful.
Thank you so much, Tana!
I love your collection of colored McCoy. Beautiful.
Have a great day!
Judy
Thank you, Judy!
OK, the double cache pot is beyond amazing. Oh, that sweet bird… And made the year I was born!! I could not stop looking at it. Every detail is wonderful. The bookend is a very close 2nd!! And the casserole dish and the history behind it….. so interesting! I never would have known that info without your series. You have taught all of us so much by sharing your collection!! Thanks! What are you going to share next?? :-)
I still have more McCoy to share – probably one or two more posts. Then I’ll take a break!
I love the history you’re revealing…so interesting. And those glazes…wonderful! So….I’ve made a promise to myself….I’m going to start looking for pieces and start a small collection….emphasis on small…later this year. Because they are truly beautiful…and they make me smile!
Good for you! You’ll love them, Donnamae.
I had no idea that McCoy ever made dinnerware..very interesting Claudia..I really like the sand dollar flower pot!
Me too. It’s one of my favorites. Something about the design and the lines etched into the pottery…
Love all the mid-century pieces today – and the casserole from WWII!That has got to have been a pretty rare find. I’m an amateur WWII homefront buff – stories mostly – but I’d love to have something like that casserole. I wonder if it would be usable even? Or not – maybe back then they were still using lead-based clays? Anyway, looking forward to seeing more. Enjoy your day!
I have no idea about its usability….interesting question! Although it has obviously been used, you can tell by the coloration on the bottom. I’ve never seen another piece out there – I was so fortunate that my friend Heidi found it for me!
I had read about the land mines before– interesting story. I didn’t know about the dinner ware. That little bird on the double cache is so sweet!
Again .. The yellow catches my eye.
The yellow used to be my less-than-favorite color, but lately I’ve been loving it a lot.
The Sanddollar pot is my favorite so far. But I’m intrigued by the casserole, and the role McCoy played during wartime. Thanks so much for sharing a lot of info. Some blogs will show photo after photo with no explanation. I like to learn a little something when I spend time reading blogs.
Me too. I figure that the story behind the design and the item is just as important as the picture, so when I can supply that information, I do.
Oh!!! my goodness!!! Your collection is Amazing!!! So many great pieces I couldn’t pick my favs. I have 5 pieces that I love also. My prized, is a tea set from the 1940’s. I think it is called “the daisy set” brown and green. I think you would like it.
What I really like about your collection is, when we see pictures of your home, it is not bombarded with a “collection”. You have tastefully placed and use your pieces as they should be used and enjoyed!!! That is the trick to good collecting!!! I don’t think anybody would have thought you owed this many pieces. Thank you for sharing.
Addie
I know I would like it, Addie!
And thank you for your kind words about collecting and displaying a collection. I like things to be spread around the house – living where it makes sense for them to live. I’m sure you’re right – no one had any idea of the size of the collection because it is tucked in here and there throughout the house.
I almost may be liking the yellow colors the best. What I can’t get over is that marvelous glaze. Thanks for all the wonderful photos and I hope your trip in Hartford is going fine. You’ll be home soon.
The glazes are incredible. They really pop.
I got home last night around 8:30. Have to go back on Saturday evening.
The colors and design are just so very pretty! :) Best wishes, Tammy