Rick Wisecarver American Art Pottery

Wisecarver pottery has an avid following especially among collectors of art pottery, black memorabilia and those who love American Indian art. But when it comes to his cookie jars, Wisecarver's primitive style does not appeal to everyone and cookie jar collectors are often divided when it comes to adding jars to a collection.

Wisecarver worked as both a potter and painter, with his depictions of American Indians on vases often the most sought-after pieces today. Although he is best-known for his art pottery, cookie jars featuring the above-mentioned black memorabilia and fairy tale themes were also a popular subject.

Rick Wisecarver was born in 1950 and died in 2002. He got his start with pottery when his mom, Yvonne Hoadley*, who owned a ceramic shop in Roseville, Ohio and suggested to Rick that he paint pottery for her.

It was a family affair for Wisecarver, who started working in the field at the relatively young age of 20 (1970). He worked with his family and did not actually do all the painting on his jars. Aunt Flo, as well as Mom, helped with the painting.

Over his lifetime Rick Wisecarver created anywhere from 100-120 different cookie jars and since they were all hand-painted, often different variations can be seen. Each mold was limited to between 200-300 pieces.

View a sampling of Wisecarver Cookie Jars.

Marks on jars include, but are not limited to: Wilhoa's Originals (a combination of his family and partner's names), Cookie Classic, Rick Wisecarver, Rick W, the initials YW (for his mom) that is incised in the pottery, R Simms (partner) and RS. The number of the edition is often found, as well as the name of the actual jar.

Reproductions
According to Mike Schneider's The Complete Cookie Jar Book, there were copies made of the artist's first five jars done by a pottery which used his original molds. Those jars include: Mixing Bowl Mammy, Cookie Jar Mammy, Churn Mammy, Covered Bridge and Pig. Schneider says those jars can be identified by a lack of signature, as all his originals are artist-signed on the back of the jar. Apparently Cook Stove Mammy is the exception to this rule, as his originals of that jar are not artist-signed.

After Wisecarver's death, his other cookie jar molds were sold and have been further reproduced. One knowledgeable Wisecarver collector said one clue in figuring out if a piece is reproduced is to study authentic pieces to get a feel for his works. The ways the eyes are painted in reproduction jars eyes are a giveaway.

Confused? Best bets when looking for an authentic Wisecarver jar, buy from a reputable dealers or collector, who will give you a money-back guarantee if jar is not authentic. Also ask before you buy or bid! The forums are an excellent place to ask questions.

*Note: Rick's uncle, Bud Hoadley also created jars and used the mark "CHRISSHAUN ARTS" Roseville, OH on his work.

Sources include:
Red Huston, eBay Seller: MemoryLane64804
Hansons' American Art Pottery Collection
The Complete Cookie Jar Book,