Circa 1880-1887: By 1880, Frederick Cowden had been partners with Isaac Wilcox since the 1872 death of John Cowden, the company's founder, and upon Wicox's retirement, the famous Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, firm's name changed from Cowden & Wilcox to F. H. Cowden. Measuring 5 1/2"H x 9 5/8" diameter (10.5" wide including handles), this handsome one gallon cake crock feautures one of several known F. H. Cowden classic cobalt decorated stencil designs that have been given the term snowflake in today's collecting community. These snowflakes are present on many different Cowden forms, and the cake crock, an always popular piece, is one of the toughest to find with a snowflake design because of its squat form. This example is in excellent essentially as made condition with no chips, cracks or repairs and only typical minor staining, some remants of red paint on the upper lip, and very minor expected wear on the inside lip. This piece combines desirable form, decoration, and maker along with great condition and visual appeal.
Bob Zordani and Heidi Kellner: (217) 714-5016, Lexington, Virginia: zandk@zandkantiques.com
