Description
This gorgeous American porcelain hand painted Ceramic Art Company CAC stein is decorated with an all over design in luscious vibrant colors of red currants - two different views on each side. What is most striking about this piece is its condition -- so clean on the interior, the glazing so fine and undisturbed. The backstamp on this antique American porcelain tankard is the one used by Ceramic Art Company CAC from 1894 until 1906, when the company name was changed to Lenox. But we can rely on the artist's date on the bottom of '97 - i.e. 1897. In addition, we have the artist's initial on the front near the bottom of the handle "S.V.C.". The stein stands 5-3/8" tall, with a top rim that is 3" across, and a base that is 4.25" across - an elegant shape. This lovely and decorative antique American porcelain piece is in nearly pristine condition, noting only a few very tiny superficial glaze scratches that clearly show in the photographs, but are hardly noticeable in reality. A beautiful example of antique American porcelain, produced by the American Belleek producer that soon became the world-renowned Lenox Company. This 122 year old antique American porcelain stein would make an excellent addition to any antique American porcelain or American Belleek collection!
ABOUT CAC AMERICAN BELLEEK: The Ceramic Art Company was founded by two porcelain artisans, Jonathan Coxon and Walter Lenox, working in the Trenton, New Jersey area during the height of the American Belleek years. In 1889 they formed the Ceramic Art Company (CAC), to realize their own vision of Belleek production. Coxon left CAC in 1896, which continued to thrive under Lenox's tireless stewardship. By 1897, the company's catalog listed as many as 300 different items available for the public. Even though Lenox was stricken by a serious illness that eventually left him blind and paralyzed, he maintained a firm hand on the company's operations. In 1900, he decided to expand CAC's product line to include tableware. In 1905 he hired Frank Holmes as CAC's chief designer, and in 1906 he changed the company's name to Lenox China. Over the years, Holmes was appointed to design three sets of White House China: one set for Woodrow Wilson in 1918 one set for Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934, and one set for Harry S. Truman in 1951.