3 Mid Century Napco National Potteries Co Lady Head Vases Japan 7"

Description

Set of three 1950s-1960s porcelain head vases attributed to Napco / National Potteries Company of Cleveland, Ohio, depicting three different stylish ladies, one with closed eyes and pearl earrings, one with closed eyes, raised glove and hat, and one with 60s eyeliner and ascot. Smallest explicitly marked with the Napco name and sticker. One marked 4071 and one with Japan sticker.

"The National Potteries Corporation, or Napco, was founded in Bedford, Ohio, by Irwin Garber and David Rein in 1938. Although Ohio was a center for art pottery in the middle of the 20th century, being the home of Rookwood, Roseville, and Weller, Napco only produced its own products, most vases for flowers, for a handful of years. After World War II, Napco grew rapidly by importing collectible ceramic novelty items from Japan’s ceramics manufacturing centers of Nagoya and Seto. During its 1950s peak, Napco was one of several companies that manufactured or imported kitschy home décor. Others, like Lefton, Inarco, Acme, Enesco, and Arnart, also delivered on requests for more ceramic dogs, cats, clowns, mermaids, Victorian ladies, anthropomorphic salt-and-pepper shakers, and head vases. However, more so than those companies, Napco launched one successful series after another. Some of these included “Angels of the Month,” “Sweethearts of All Nations,” “Calendar Cuties,” “Umbrella Flower Girls,” “Flowers of the Month,” “knee-huggers,” “Bloomer Girls,” and “Miss Cutie Pie.” These included head vases modeled after similar ones designed Betty Harrington for Ceramic Arts Studio and Betty Lou Nichols Ceramics. Due to this tough new competition from Napco, as well as from such importers as Ucagco and Enesco, Ceramic Arts Studio folded in 1955, while Nichols closed her shop in 1962. Although we know what Napco produced during the 1950s and ’60s, identifying Napco pieces from those decades can be tricky. The confusion is due to the fact that very few Napco pieces from this era were copyrighted, which meant that competitors such as Lefton often sold the exact same figurine as Napco and others—once the identifying paper label falls off, there is no way to tell the difference. In addition to kitsch, Napco delivered on various other fronts, introducing milk glass, porcelain, bone china, and Lusterware products like coffee cups, teapots, cookie jars, ashtrays, trivets, and wall pockets. In 1960, Irwin Garber left the firm to establish International Art Ware Corporation (Inarco), which also imported glass and ceramics from Japan, including head vases that bore a striking resemblance to Garber’s wife, Roselle. Napco continued business into the 1970s, importing a hit series of miniature bone china. Still, the company’s mid-century whimsy was out of place in that era’s earthier, more bohemian homes. In 1985, Inarco purchased Napco, and the headquarters were moved from Ohio to Florida a year later. The company eventually shuttered, leaving behind a smorgasbord of novelty ceramics highly desired among collectors." (Source: Collectors Weekly / WorthPoint)

Condition

Good Overall - Gentle wear

Dimensions

Largest - 5.5" x 4" x 7" / Smallest - 2.5" x 2" x 3.5" (Width x Depth x Height)