Harmony Line Planters & Vase – McCoy Pottery – 1961
McCoy Pottery was one of the United States’ major producers of decorative and utilitarian pottery and crockware going back to 1849. Through multiple generations and a variety of corporate names the McCoy family produced some of the most popular American pottery pieces of the 20th Century. Look through a collector’s guide to McCoy pottery and you are sure to see at least one piece that was in grandma’s kitchen or mom’s living room.
The McCoy factories in Zanesville were completely destroyed by fire in 1950. Ever resilient, the McCoy’s rebuilt and brought the most up-to-date technology to their new factory. This positioned the company to become the largest producer of pottery in the United States producing millions of pieces per year by the end of the decade.
McCoy Pottery also had a keen awareness of the changing tastes of their consumers. As modern design became more prevalent McCoy began producing more modern-influenced pieces.
One of their finest was the Harmony Line first introduced in 1961. With flowing, almost free-form, lines and a sculptural minimalist design these pieces are one of the finest lines made by McCoy in the modern era.
Harmony Line Planter & Vase – McCoy Pottery – 1961
The color pallete of the glazes used by McCoy for this line – turquoise, burnt orange, yellow and ivory – also reflected the colors being used in modern interior designs of the period.
The Harmony Line stands today as one of the best examples of the adaptation of modern design by a more traditional producer of goods during the mid-20th Century. It is the classic example of modern meeting mainstream.
Pottery pieces from this line are relatively easy to obtain and are quite affordable. Most pieces are in $25 – $50 range. As with all pottery, inspect carefully for chips, cracks and crazing. McCoy Pottery does often have some very minor glaze pops and other imperfections which, unless serious, does not impact the value of the piece.
Vases and planters from the Harmony Line will make a great gift for friends, family and co-workers. Elegant, modern and affordable – the perfect gift!
Comments are closed.