Is All Shawnee Pottery Marked?

Shawnee Pottery started in 1937 in Zanesville, Ohio by Jasck Schmidt who emigrated from Germany. It was in continuous production until 1961 when the company ceased operations. Shawnee became known for producing affordable yet high quality pottery and stoneware, often mimicking more expensive lines from other companies. They mass produced items like bowls, vases, figurines, and kitchenware using casting molds. Many pieces made by Shawnee over the decades are now considered collectibles.

While a great deal of vintage Shawnee pottery contains markings identifying it as Shawnee, some pieces were left unmarked. This article will explore the reasons for unmarked Shawnee pottery and how to identify and value those unmarked pieces.

Company Markings

Shawnee Pottery Company used several different markings on their pieces throughout the years. Some of the most common markings include:

• The name “Shawnee” stamped or engraved into the bottom or side of a piece.
• “U.S.A.” or “Shawnee U.S.A.” – Shawnee started marking pieces with U.S.A. after 1940.
• “Cornware” – found on Shawnee Corn ceramic pieces.
• The initials “PSH” stamped into the clay. This stands for Paul S. Harker, who owned Shawnee from 1939 to 1961.
• Impressed or engraved numbers, letters, and symbols that indicated the line name, shape number, production date, etc.
• Paper labels reading “Shawnee Pottery” or “Shawnee U.S.A.” were used from the 1920s-1940s.
• Ink stamps reading “Shawnee” or “Shawnee Pottery.”

These markings authenticate a piece as being made by the Shawnee Pottery Company. They can usually be found on the bottom or sides of cups, bowls, vases, pitchers, planters, figurines, and other Shawnee wares. Understanding the markings can help date and identify a Shawnee piece.

Unmarked Pieces

While the majority of authentic Shawnee pottery pieces contain markings identifying them as Shawnee, some pieces were left unmarked by the company. According to this eBay listing, vintage unmarked Shawnee pottery existed. There are a few reasons why some authentic Shawnee pieces lack markings.

Unmarked Shawnee pottery may have been produced very early on before the company standardized its marking practices. Some budget-friendly lines aimed at the mass market may have forgone markings. Occasionally markings can wear off over time through heavy use and cleaning. However, the existence of unmarked Shawnee pieces is well documented among collectors.

Reasons for Unmarked Pieces

There are several reasons why some pieces of Shawnee pottery may not be marked with the company’s name:

According to Pottery – Identification – UNMARKED is NOT a bad thing, many pottery companies, including Shawnee, did not always mark their lower-end or cheaply-made lines. This was likely done to distinguish them from the higher-quality products.

As explained in How To Identify Pottery With No Markings – Ceramike, some markings may have worn off over time through heavy use and cleaning. If the markings were stamped or painted on, they can fade or disappear with age.

There’s also a chance the markings were located on a different part of the piece, like the base or interior, rather than the bottom. So even marked pieces may appear unmarked if you don’t examine thoroughly.

Additionally, some lines were produced prior to Shawnee consistently marking their wares. Earlier pieces from the late 1800s into the early 1900s may have no markings even though they are authentic Shawnee.

How to Identify Unmarked Shawnee

Even without markings, there are some tips for identifying Shawnee pottery pieces:

• Look at the style and decoration – Shawnee made very distinct geometric and art deco designs often with bright, vibrant glazes like red, yellow, blue, and green.
• Examine the mold seams and markings – Shawnee often left seam lines and marked their molds with numbers or letters which can help trace a piece back to them.
• Consider the clay color – Shawnee frequently used a distinct tan/light brown colored clay.
• Look for high quality glazes – Shawnee was known for very glossy, glass-like vibrant glazes.
• Pay attention to any bottom markings – Some Shawnee pieces may have the mold or model number etched into the bottom.
• Research the particular line – Certain Shawnee lines like Corn, Pineapple, and Deco Tend to have very identifiable designs.

With some detective work and knowledge of Shawnee designs and manufacturing methods, many unmarked pieces can be conclusively traced back to Shawnee origins.

Most Commonly Unmarked Shawnee Lines

According to collectors, some of the most common Shawnee pottery lines that can be found unmarked include Corn King, Corn Queen, Cherokee, Prairie Flower, Liberty Blue, Sylvan Green, and Homespun.

The Corn King and Corn Queen lines, featuring detailed corn cob decorations, were originally given away as premiums by Procter & Gamble in the 1950s and were produced without any markings. Many Shawnee planters and jardinieres from the 1920s-1940s were also unmarked.

Vintage restaurant and bakery wares like pie birds, cannisters, and mixing bowls were commonly left unmarked as well. Shawnee’s art pottery lines made in the late 1910s-1930s such as Begonia, Fleur de Lis, and Chrysanthemum did not contain any markings when first produced.

Collectors should keep an eye out for these popular Shawnee lines when searching for unmarked pieces at antique malls or estate sales.

Rarity of Unmarked Shawnee

Unmarked Shawnee pottery pieces are fairly rare compared to marked examples. According to collectorsweekly.com, the vast majority of authentic Shawnee pieces feature at least some mark identifying the maker, line, or pattern [1]. Partially unmarked pieces that lack a pattern name but have the Shawnee maker’s mark are more common. Truly unmarked Shawnee with no identifying marks at all is quite uncommon and comprises only a small percentage of the total Shawnee pottery produced.

Since the company routinely marked its wares, unmarked pieces are the exception rather than the norm. Shawnee did produce some unmarked lines like Homespun, but the volume of these is quite small. Serious Shawnee collectors estimate only 5-10% of authentic Shawnee is completely unmarked [1]. This makes unmarked Shawnee pottery relatively rare and unusual to find compared to marked examples.

Value of Unmarked Pieces

The value of unmarked Shawnee pottery pieces is generally lower than marked pieces. This is because without the company markings, it can be more difficult to authenticate it as an original Shawnee piece. However, unmarked pieces can still hold significant value for collectors, especially rare designs or harder to find pieces. An exceptional unmarked piece in good condition may still sell for hundreds of dollars.

In general, collectors are willing to pay a premium for marked Shawnee pottery since the markings guarantee authenticity. This gives buyers more confidence in the provenance and vintage of the item. Marked pieces in mint condition can sell for thousands.

For unmarked pieces, value relies heavily on factors like the seller’s reputation, a certificate of authenticity, identifiable design elements, and overall condition. Common unmarked pieces tend to sell in the $50-150 range. More unique designs can sell for a few hundred. Mint condition unmarked pieces are the most valuable.

With both marked and unmarked Shawnee, condition is paramount. Chips, cracks, or repairs can significantly decrease value. Subtle color variations also impact price. Overall, marked Shawnee demands higher prices, but unmarked pieces still appeal to collectors.

Authentication

Since many pieces of Shawnee pottery are unmarked, determining authenticity can be challenging. Here are some tips for authenticating unmarked pieces:

Examine the color, glaze, and modeling.

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Shawnee pottery has distinctive coloring and glazing. Become familiar with the common colors and finishes like matte vs glossy. Also look at the molding details as Shawnee often reused molds between lines.

Consider the shape and pattern.

Certain shapes and patterns like corn, roosters, and pierces/cutouts can help identify Shawnee. Compare your piece to authenticated Shawnee examples to spot consistent details.

Look for identifying marks.

Some authentic Shawnee lacks the company name but may have other marks like “USA”, stickers, impressed numbers, or ink stamps. These provide clues about the date and origin.

Consult an expert.

If still uncertain, share photos with a Shawnee pottery collector or appraiser. Experts can spot inconsistencies from replicas and assess subtleties that help authenticate pieces.

Conclusion

In summary, not all Shawnee Pottery pieces are marked. There are several reasons why a piece may lack a company marking, including being produced for a short time, being a custom or special order, or being a less expensive line. While unmarked pieces can be more challenging to authenticate, Shawnee experts can often identify them based on glaze, color, shape, patterns, mold seams, or other characteristics. With some research and a trained eye, unmarked Shawnee can usually be attributed to a particular line or era. While marked Shawnee is typically more valuable and desirable to collectors, unmarked pieces are still appreciated by aficionados. Overall, unmarked Shawnee may be uncommon but not exceedingly rare. The lack of markings alone does not make a Shawnee piece invaluable, but it does require extra care in identification and appraisal.