Owens Pottery: Zanesville Art Pottery & Utopian Ware
J.B. Owens Pottery Company operated in Zanesville, Ohio, from 1885 to 1929, producing art pottery that competed directly with neighboring Roseville and Weller. Founded by John B. Owens, the company initially produced utilitarian stoneware before entering the art pottery market in the mid-1890s. Owens is best known for its Utopian line -- underglaze slip-painted decoration on dark grounds inspired by Rookwood's Standard Glaze -- as well as numerous other art lines including Henri Deux, Lotus, Cyrano, and Mission. While overshadowed by Roseville and Weller in market recognition, Owens produced high-quality art pottery that represents excellent value for collectors.
Identification & Marks
- "Owens" impressed mark: Block letters, often with "Utopian" or the specific line name
- "JBOwens" script mark: Incised or impressed in flowing script
- "Owensart" mark: Used on some pieces
- Shape numbers: Impressed numbers correspond to specific forms
- Artist signatures: Many pieces carry the decorator's initials or cipher; notable artists include Tot Steele, Hattie Eberlein, and Harry Robinson
- Distinction from Weller: Owens Utopian is very similar to Weller Louwelsa; check marks carefully as misidentification is common
Lines & Styles
- Utopian (1896-1907): Slip-painted florals, portraits, and animals on dark brown/mahogany grounds; the most common and recognized Owens line
- Henri Deux (1900): Incised and colored decoration in Renaissance-inspired patterns
- Lotus (1898): Light-colored backgrounds with floral decoration; similar to Weller Eocean
- Cyrano (1898): Sgraffito decoration scratched through slip
- Aboriginal/Navajo: Native American-themed decoration with geometric designs
- Mission (1903): Arts and Crafts inspired matte glazes
- Feroza: Metallic lustre glazes with an iridescent quality
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utopian vase (standard floral) | $50 | $150 | $400 |
| Utopian vase (portrait or animal) | $200 | $600 | $2,000 |
| Henri Deux piece | $150 | $500 | $1,500 |
| Lotus vase | $75 | $250 | $700 |
| Cyrano piece | $100 | $300 | $900 |
| Mission matte vase | $50 | $200 | $600 |
| Aboriginal/Navajo piece | $100 | $400 | $1,200 |
Condition Factors
- Dark Utopian glazes can conceal hairline cracks; examine pieces carefully under strong light
- Slip-painted decoration can show wear on high points; rubbed or faded painting reduces value
- Chips on bases are common and less damaging to value than rim chips
- Matte-glaze pieces show scratches more readily than glossy pieces
- Artist-signed pieces bring 20-50% premiums over unsigned examples of comparable quality
Collecting Tips
- Owens art pottery is consistently undervalued relative to Roseville and Weller, making it attractive for collectors seeking quality at lower price points
- Utopian portrait pieces and animal subjects are the most valuable decorations; common floral subjects are the most affordable
- Henri Deux is considered Owens' most original line and is actively sought by advanced collectors
- The overlap with Weller and Roseville means that some artists worked at multiple Zanesville potteries; decorator research can reveal interesting cross-factory connections
- Larger pieces in any line command disproportionate premiums over small vases
- Zanesville remains a center for Ohio art pottery collecting, with regional shows and shops offering good selections