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Weller Pottery – Coppertone Pattern

hcst — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:46:38 +0000

Weller Potter ‘Coppertone’

Designed by Weller ceramic artist Rudolph Lorber, the Coppertone line of pottery featuring a rich, mottled green glaze was an instant hit, and has been popular with pottery lovers ever since its introduction.

First appearing in advertisements in House and Garden and House Beautiful Magazines, Weller Coppertone pottery was an almost immediate success with gardeners, collectors and decorators. Coppertone pottery was made in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and the line included vases, urns, console bowls, candle sticks, oil jars, ashtrays, baskets, flower pots, tiles, flower frogs, figurines, planters, sprinklers, lamps, and more.

Figures of frogs, turtles, and butterflies adorn vases, console bowls, candleholders, and lamps. Some of the frog figurines are simply figurines, but there were also Coppertone lawn and garden sprinklers in the shape of frogs as well. Frogs hunker down in console bowls; adorn vases and planters, splash in fountains, help water lawns and garden, hold up candles and flowers.

The Coppertone Glaze
The mottled Coppertone Glaze was created with a combination brush and sponge technique. The brown or tan undercoat was lightly brushed on, and the green over glaze was applied with a sponge. Coppertone pottery pieces were available in three colorways – gloss green, matte green, and blue green. The figural frogs and turtles were all done in a gloss, never a matte glaze.

Coppertone Pottery Values
Coppertone pieces are among the most collectible and desirable of Weller Pottery collectibles, and since much of the Coppertone line was made for use, pieces in perfect condition are hard to find. While prices have come down on for the most common items, Large, undamaged and unusual pieces are still eagerly sought by collectors.

Brief History of Weller Pottery
Founded in 1872 by Samuel Weller, the original pottery was located on Weller’s Ohio farm and consisted of one cabin and one kiln. Weller was a farmer who dug the clay on his own land. In the off-season, Weller produced flower pots, crocks and bowls which he delivered around the countryside with his horse and wagon. By 1882, the pottery had become successful enough to require a larger facility, so Weller moved his business to Zanesville. When Samuel died, Harry Weller became president, a position he held until 1932. It was during Harry’s years at the helm that the Coppertone line was introduced.

Weller Pottery’s Coppertone garden ware is among the most collectible of Weller lines, and has been popular ever since its introduction in 1929. Collectors pay premium prices for Coppertone pieces in excellent condition.

-Reference note by p4A Contributing Editor Susan Cramer.

Weller Pottery – Zona Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:42:12 +0000

Weller Potter ‘Zona’

Weller produced the Zona line including utilitarian and baby ware from 1911 to 1936. The Zona Cottage Sets and apple dinnerware latter became the Franciscan line of a west coast manufacturer as a result of Frederic Grant, president of the pottery in 1932, divorcing Sam Weller’s daughter Ethel.

Weller Pottery – Muskota Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:42:10 +0000

Weller Pottery ‘Muskota’

Weller’s Muskota was designed by Rudolph Lorber and is still considered one of Weller’s most popular lines. The line was based on modeled birds, animals and humans used as flower frogs or inserts and stand alone figures. Glossy miniature birds and insects were also made to decorate flower arrangements and birdbaths.

Weller Pottery – Glendale Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:42:07 +0000

Weller Potter ‘Glendale’

Glendale was one of Weller’s naturalistic lines popular in the late 1920s. Scenes depicted modeled birds nesting or perched in wooded or marsh settings. Goldfinches, bluebirds, long-tailed parrots and thrushes were used on vases. A seagull in flight is found on a console bowl with nest flower frog.

Weller Pottery – Woodcraft Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:42:05 +0000

Weller Pottery ‘Woodcraft’

Woodcraft was one of Weller’s naturalistic lines sharing some of the same molds as the Voile and Flemish lines. The line was characterized by a textured, tree bark finish in shades of matt brown and green. Raised or modeled foxes, squirrels, owls, birds, leaves and fruit were common decorations.

Weller Pottery – Seneca Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:42:03 +0000

Weller Pottery Seneca

Seneca was an oriental influenced line created by Rudolph Lorber, a top Weller designer in 1933. The line of ware shared the same molds as the Neiska pattern, the only difference being the glaze.

Weller Pottery – Flemish Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:42:00 +0000

Weller Pottery ‘Flemish’

Flemish is another of Rudolph Lorber’s creations for Weller Pottery. Raised hand colored designs and the familiar polychrome brown and green pastels characterize many of the Flemish wares made during the 1920s. Flemish reed basket planters were introduced in 1925, squirrel bowls around 1928.

Weller Pottery – Denton Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:41:56 +0000

Weller Pottery ‘Denton’

Denton (also called Dunton) was produced in either a black or white gloss glaze and was forerunner to Weller’s Rosemont line.

Weller Pottery – Brighton Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:41:47 +0000

Weller Pottery ‘Brighton’

Bright colors and deep glaze characterizes Weller’s Brighton. Little is known of the design origin, although many Brighton bird figurines were sold to lamp companies and used to decorate table and floor lamps. Weller’s Malta line was produced at the same time and offered many of the same Brighton figures in an undecorated matt finish.

Weller Pottery – Baldwin Pattern

hcst — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:41:45 +0000

Weller Pottery ‘Baldwin’

Large red apples molded in relief on a Flemish brownish green or navy blue ground characterize Baldwin.