Reginald Guy Cowan (1884-1957) was born into a family of ceramicists in East Liverpool, Ohio (itself a major center of ceramics production). He studied at the New York State School of Clayworking at Alfred University (in Western New York). After school, he settled in Cleveland where, in 1908, he introduced pottery-making in the public schools. He also began teaching ceramics industry at trade schools and was an instructor at the Art Institute of Cleveland. Eventually, Cowan opened his own pottery workshop, the Cleveland Pottery and Tile Company in Lakewood, Ohio—a "street car suburb" of Cleveland, on Lake Erie. Cowan's architectural tiles, used throughout the Greater Cleveland area, paid the rent. But he also produced a small range of decorative "artware" items—vases and bowls—called Lakewood Ware. In 1917, he won first prize at the Art Institute of Chicago's International Exposition. When America joined World War One, Cowan closed his workshop to serve as a captain in the army.
After his military service, Cowan reopened in Rocky River, Ohio, also on Lake Erie (some three miles away from Lakewood). Before the war, Cowan had come to realize that his high-minded artistry needed to be supported by reliable commercial production (that is, sales). So he directed his new efforts toward establishing a more production-oriented workshop. His goal was to produce beautiful, artful products which would be affordable to middle class consumers. He hired many local artists and art school graduates—many of whom had never worked with ceramics before. His business took off and Cowan soon was selling beautiful artworks through more than 1,200 shops and galleries nationwide.
While the Twenties were terrific for Cowan, the Thirties were not. After the Stockmarket Crash of 1929, business tanked. Cowan was able to tick-along for two more years, however, by 1931 he was unable to pay his workers or meet his other expenses. He closed Cowan Pottery in 1931.
Cowan was a major figure in the Cleveland School of artists and his pottery workshop was the only major ceramics manufacturer in Cleveland.
The Cowan ceramic bookends, shown above, are beautifully sculpted. They are finished in a handsome, mossy, matte green glaze. They are a wonderful example of Cowan's aim of melding artistry, taste and craftsmanship with modern methods of production. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
More green to come—tomorrow and in the days to come.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.