Tuesday, May 24, 2011

MOO - over the Cow Creamers!






English Kent 19th century













French Faince



Transferware
Germany Meissen




 Creamers in the shape of a cow ,with an opening or lid on its back for filling, known as,"cow creamers",originated in Holland, but became very popular in England, first with Dutch Imports,then from about 1740 on, from the Staffordshire factories. What could be more appropriate for the dispensing  of milk or cream at the table,than a cow?
    The first cow creamers were made of pewter or silver and they were imported from Holland ,in the early 18th century. Staffordshire factories in England began making cow creamers from ceramics around 1750. They have been made ever since, by other ceramic companies  from  around the world as well.. German cows have more details, but English cows  have more character. I often find English cows with smiles on there face and big eyes with long eye lashes. If you have ever seen a real cow, up close, they have beautiful eyes and long eye lashes. I think that is why cows have always been linked to romance in many ways. Silly???
  
Transferware,England,18th century





German Goebel

   Companies that made and still make cows are: Holland and the Delft  company. Germany and the Meissen company. England , Pratt  and  the Staffordshire companies.Also Swansea makes English transferware  cows. Rockingham and Bennington are both fine American companies that continue to make cows.The Scott have produces sponge ware cows since 1810.The Johnson Brothers from America  have as well made cows. In France there is the Farince company and also Kent Potters in England. I am sure I have left out many.It is hard to list them all. Japan and China alone must have hundreds of ceramic companies that make cows. And the German most common company to make cows is the Goebel .They have made them for years and are still a major supplier today. There is a wonderful web site that you can go to, that has more cows on display than any other I have found. I think if you like and collect cow creamers, this would be a good place to visit.  www.craig@cow-creamers.net 












Scottish sponge ware

   I started collecting cow creamers about 8 years ago. I had a week end cottage in the country and I tried to decorate it with a country animal theme.The cow creamers were part of that effort. When I first started buying them I did not have a clue how I would display them. I just had them stuck here and there. One day I walked into an antique mall in St.Louis  and right inside the door was the English pine display rack. I am sure it was originally made for kitchen tools. I picked it up and hugged it and told my friend that was with me that God had made this, just for me! He said, and what for? ( I think he thought I might have flipped.) I said, you will see. Well, it was to hang my cow creamers from. When I sold the country cottage I sold a lot of the stuff I had collected




to decorate it with. But, I knew I wanted to move the cows to my new kitchen, So here they are. I hope you enjoy the cows as much as I have. I wish you could come by for a tour. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will meet you with a jump and a kiss.I also, can not help myself. I have to share a few more pictures from the garden, as Spring continues here in Missouri. I can not help but feel lucky, as there has been so many bad storms and loss in the state of Missouri. But so far, the Lord has blessed and continued to keep me and Sissy Dog safe.For that I am so grateful and so sad for the others who have gone through so much and  some have lost everything. Please keep these people and Missouri in your thoughts and prayers.



 Limoge France




French Faince









23 comments:

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Richard, what a unique collection. I haven't seen them in years. Loved reading about them. Hugs to Miss Sissy dog.. hugs ~lynne~

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Richard:
We have always rather wanted to collect cow creamers ourselves, and somehow have never quite got round to beginning. Now, we are totally inspired by your wonderful collection which really is magnificent.

Many years ago, at Littlecote House in Wiltshire, before it became an hotel, they kept a similar collection on a large table in the hall. We remember it to this day.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Loved reading about another of your great collections my Dear friend..I have only one ha ha!! Hugs and smiles Gloria

Anonymous said...

Your cow creamers have always been a favorite of mine. I love how you've displayed them in your kitchen....another favorite of mine.

LaPouyette said...

Hello Richard,
this is the most beautiful 'cow-collection' I've ever seen! Just stunning! You are a real passionate collector!
Greetings from the Périgord,
karin

P.S. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and your comments!

LaPouyette said...

Hi Richard,
just wrote a comment which suddenly disappeared. So, don't know....will wait and see.
k

Sissysmom said...

Another great collection. Thanks for sharing.

Heirlooms by Ashton House said...

What a fun and informative post! I didn't know much of anything about creamers. You have a wonderful collection and I like how you've displayed them. Your roses look absolutely beautiful. Mine are just starting to bloom.

Maison de lin said...

Hello Richard,

This is the biggest and most beautiful collection of "cows" i ever seen. I love also the way you've displayed them. Great roses.

Greetings from Belgium
Jérôme

Anyes K. Busby - Studio Vignette Fine Art said...

Hello Richard,
So charming, as always. I don't always leave a comment, but I always pop in and snoop around your lovely belongings. I envy those people who had this tour of your house. To open one's home to perfect strangers is not an easy task. I think they should have shown a little more appreciation.
Anyès
XX

Simply Bungalow said...

What an amazing collection. I love all the cows. And the display rack is just perfect!
~Heidi

Cass @ That Old House said...

Hi Richard!
Someplace around here I've got a cow creamer that belonged to my Mom, who would have collected them if she hadn't been so busy collecting various and sundry other things!

Your collection is jaw-dropping. I have never even SEEN a Limoges cow creamer before, nor a Meissen! And I didn't know that the first ones were silver or pewter -- see? I learn something every day from wonderful blogs like yours.

I know the needlepoint rug I featured today will creep and crawl; on top of the felted pad I will be putting a rubber mesh pad to hold it in place; it works quite well then.

I've been looking for the right vintage Persian rug for the parlor for 3 years now -- and it's been elusive. There was a red Bokhara on that floor for 3 generations of the same family; I'd like to find something similar, that doesn't scream NEW, but isn't worn down to the nub either.

So in the meantime, I've gone the needlepoint route; this black rug cost me only $120 and its from ABC Carpet in NYC; it's a few years old but in perfect shape.

It will serve for the summer downstairs, by which time I hope to have found that elusive Persian for this room, and then the floral needlepoint will move upstairs to a guest room that now has bare floors!

As for the cleaning -- this is why I keep our shedding spaniel out of a few of our rooms!

have a lovely Wednesday! Your roses are smashing!!!
Cass

lvroftiques said...

Richard don't have a cow!........Have a COLLECTION of COWS!! Lol!! Love em all!!Too cool! Vanna

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Hello, Richard. So wonderful to have you visit my blog and offer such kind comments about the wedding gowns. They just don't make them as ornately detailed and delicate as those of the late 1800's, do they?!? I've enjoyed browsing your blog today. It must be wonderful to have an old historic home. Your cow creamers are wonderful ~ I've never seen so many. And I certainly didn't know that Limoges even made any! Please visit me anytime. BTW, I have a Sissy, too ~ my precious little JRT.

Stephanie
Angelic Accents

melanie said...

the cow creamers are great...thanks for stopping by my blog...love the cows!
and your garden is heavenly...
prayers to all in Missouri and others affected by the tornadoes...
melanie

xinex said...

Pretty neat collection, Richard! Great display rack too, it's perfect. Your garden is looking good...Christine

southerninspiration said...

LOVELY flowers!! And the cow creamers are nice.....but I'm sorry they have to hang by the tail......just kidding. Have a wonderful weekend!

Suzanne

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

The flowers are glorious and I am enjoying that creamer collection so much. I never knew there were so many kinds of cow creamers...I have one that I really enjoy!!! Have a beautiful weekend!!!

Kathy said...

What a terrific collection! Love the blue and white - I am fond of that pattern and color combination -
Kathy

Sarah said...

Richard, you have a great collection here. I've a few cow creamers, but not a collection. I enjoy using them. Thanks for sharing all these different examples. ~ Sarah

Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Richard-

I love real cows and I just love your cow creamer collection! It's a good thing they all have their tails in a handle-shape, or your display rack wouldn't work... great brainstorm idea, by the way! Thanks for sharing.

-Pam

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Richard! You have the most amazing collections. I love all of these and especially the Limoges and French faience. Thank you for joining my party.
Hugs,
Sherry

Stephanie said...

Nice collection!!!! Do you know where I can get a cow creamer that moos?