Arguably one of the most iconic and desirable ceramic pieces of Art Deco is Viktor Schreckengost’s original Jazz Bowl.  And no, I didn’t find one.  Then again, read on.

One of six children, Viktor Schreckengost was born in 1906 to a ceramicist father. His father actively encouraged his children’s creatively and brought them, in turn, to his job. Then, something seemed to connect with Viktor. He attended the Cleveland School of Arts studying graphic design wanting to be a cartoonist, not a ceramic designer. Graduating in 1929, he earned a partial scholarship to study in Vienna at the Kunstgewerbeschule. Two of his brothers Donald and Paul, also went into careers as ceramicists.

Then, in 1931, a woman commissioned a large punch bowl through a New York galley that contracted with Cowan Pottery. She specified the design to be something “New Yorkish” as a gift to her husband.  25-year-old Viktor Schreckengost, working part-time for his former teacher, Guy Cowan, designed a bold Egyptian blue and black bowl inspired by his fond memories of New Year’s Eve in the city. He submitted his design and Cowan subsequently selected to turn his idea into reality.

And the design does invoke the lights of Broadway and Times Square, jazz music and popular Follies shows, speak-easies with their illegal cocktails, and skyscrapers against a star-filled sky. The New Yorker Bowl (dubbed the Jazz Bowl) captures that frenetic energy of the city.

Because she was pleased with end result, the customer ordered two more!  It was then Viktor learned that his commission was from Eleanor Roosevelt as a gift for her governor husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt. One bowl was to reside in the White House, confident her husband would win the Presidential election the following year.

And being a noteworthy and successful design, Cowan Pottery produced a small series of similar bowls. But, they could not keep up with demand. The decoration is achieved by the sgraffito process. And this decorative technique required glazing a piece of ceramic twice, with each layer being a contrasting color. Then time-consuming hand work of scratching the design outside and inside to reveal the color underneath meant Cowan could produce only 1 bowl a day.

In order to streamline manufacturing and production costs, Schreckengost reworked the bowl. The new, first, redesign incorporates a raised design in the original blue and black glaze, a flared lip for stability during firing and with a slight modification to the design motif.  The second redesign eliminates the interior decoration. This bowl could be ordered  in the original blue, melon-green, guava-yellow or black glaze.  There is only one example of the bowl in poly-chrome.

The “Poor Man’s” Jazz Bowl refers to the second redesign and originally sold for $25.00 ($424.29 – 2020 dollars) as opposed to the original design sold for $50.00 ($848.59 – 2020 dollars).

But Schreckengost’s redesign did not save the line or the company and production of the series was discontinued.

Founded by R. Guy Cowan, the Cowan Pottery Studio opened in 1912.  And the once successful and prolific ceramic company became another victim of the depression resulting in its bankruptcy in 1931.

As for Viktor Schreckengost, he enjoyed a long and productive life as a major 20th Century industrial designer.  He taught at his alma mater for more than 50 years until his death. He died in Florida surrounded by family on January 26, 2008 at age 101.

And what does all this have to do with me, you ask?  I recently had a day off from work to attend to some doctors appointments. After my first appointment, I intended to drive and make another appointment with a different doctor. But my brain went into auto-mode and I missed the exit. Not wanting to turn around, I decide to stop at my local Goodwill store to kill some time.

With nothing of interest on the shelves, I started to leave when an announcement stated a cart of items was coming out. Confronted by three women and their shopping carts blocking my way, what to do?  Taking a cursory looked at the newly released items I didn’t want to butt into their shopping experience.  And seeing nothing of interest, I again started to leave.  But then, some voice in my head said, “Go back, and take another look.”

And I did.

On the bottom shelf, filled with other items I saw IT!  A truly, “I can’t be looking at what I think I am.” moment.  I quickly grabbed my find, running to the other end of the store.  Taking and sending pictures off to Anthony I asked him if there was any interest.  His first response, “How ugly is it?”  “Not too bad.”, I responded.  He texted back saying for that price, get it as we could always use it as a Halloween candy bowl. A minute or two later his text read, ” I don’t think its a repro!!!”

Oh, I didn’t mention the asking price, $4.49.

And so, no, I didn’t find THE Jazz Bowl.  But I did find the later version, the “Poor Man’s” Jazz Bowl at the local thrift store. The smaller of the bowl designs, this version has the  melon-green glaze.  It is “Signed” Viktor Schreckengost on the side.  Impressed with “Cowan” on the bottom, it measures 8 1/4 inches high and 13 5/8 inches diameter at the rim.

I think I did well!

Chris & Anthony (the Freakin’,’tiquen Guys)