id: 171170 accession number: 2013.8.b share license status: Copyrighted url: https://clevelandart.org/art/2013.8.b updated: 2024-03-26 02:01:38.439000 Push-Pull Bookend, 1929. Margaret Post Gate (American, 1880–1953), Cowan Pottery Studio (American, Ohio, Rocky River, 1912–1931). White glazed stoneware; overall: 11.5 x 9.3 x 14 cm (4 1/2 x 3 11/16 x 5 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The A. W. Ellenberger, Sr., Endowment Fund 2013.8.b title: Push-Pull Bookend title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: 1929 creation date earliest: 1929 creation date latest: 1929 current location: creditline: The A. W. Ellenberger, Sr., Endowment Fund copyright: --- culture: America, 20th century technique: white glazed stoneware department: Decorative Art and Design collection: Decorative Arts type: Ceramic find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS * Margaret Post Gate (American, 1880–1953) - designer * Cowan Pottery Studio (American, Ohio, Rocky River, 1912–1931) - maker The Cowan Pottery Studio was founded by R. Guy Cowan in Lakewood, Ohio, United States in 1912. It moved to Rocky River, Ohio in 1920, and operated until 1931, when the financial stress of the Great Depression resulted in its bankruptcy. Cowan Pottery produced both artistic and commercial work in a variety of styles influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Deco, Chinese ceramics, and modern sculpture.

During its two decades of operation, a number of well-known Cleveland School artists worked with Cowan at the studio: Elizabeth Anderson, Arthur Eugene Baggs, Alexander Blazys, Paul Bogatay, Edris Eckhardt, Waylande Gregory, A. Drexler Jacobson, Raoul Josset, Paul Manship, José Martin, Herman Matzen, F. Luis Mora, Elmer L. Novotny, Margaret Postgate, Stephen Rebeck, Guy L. Rixford, Viktor Schreckengost, Elsa Vick Shaw, Walter Sinz, Frank N. Wilcox, H. Edward Winter, and Thelma Frazier Winter. With the exception of Guy Cowan, himself, Waylande Gregory designed more pieces for the pottery than anyone else. Among Cowan's finest pieces were three limited edition figures relating to dance, including "Salome" (1928), "The Nautch Dancer," (1930), and "The Burlesque Dancer," (1930). For the last two, Gregory made sketches from the side of the stage of the well-known Ziegfeld Follies star, Gilda Grey, when she was performing in Cleveland. --- measurements: Overall: 11.5 x 9.3 x 14 cm (4 1/2 x 3 11/16 x 5 1/2 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE --- fun fact: digital description: wall description: --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- IMAGES