ROSS CERAMICS,CALIFORNIA ART POTTERY ELEPHANT BANK,MINT

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I am offering for sale a Ross Ceramics / Ross Originals of Laguna Beach and Hawthorne, California (1944 into the early 1950's), Scarce to Rare, Whimisical Elephant Piggy Bank, Somewhat in the Style of Her Mentor and former Employer, Kay Finch, dated 1945. This is a beatuifully wonderful, whimsical and old fashioned style piggy bank in the form of an elephant by Violet Ross owner of Ross Ceramics / Ross Originals in the mid 1940's and into the 1950's. This happy go lucky elephant is just tickled to hold your money and it doesn't want you to have it back either. This is the old fashioned type bank w you have to break it to retrieve your savings and who would have the heart to do that. This fantastic example of California Pottery is in "Pristine Mint Condition". T are absolutely no chips, cracks, glaze problems or factory flaws of any kind. This jolly elephant has glaze crazing from age, but the lines have no stains and this elephant was well cared for. These are the tiny little crackle type crazing lines and I see no problems ever developing as long as this elephant continues to receive the same care it always has. This fantastic hand decorated jungle beast is reminiscent of the work of popular California ceramist and designer Kay Finch. This makes sense when you consider Violet Ross was an employee of Kay Finch's at one time. Somehow, I feel she put her own personal artistic ability and statement on this awsome elephant. When I first acquired it, I knew I was looking at California Pottery, but it didn't say Kay Finch to me. Despite the similarities these 2 ladies had their own styles. Violet Ross is new to many pottery collectors and was only exposed to the general public by the introduction of Jack Chipman's "California Pottery Scrapbook" which was published and released in 2005. She was known by some collectors already and her items can command some fairly good prices. She also had an affiliation with DeLee Art of California and owner Jimmy Lee Stewart in the early 1950's. Miss Stewart acted as a distributor for Violet Ross and her ceramics. This adorable elephant is 6 inches tall, 4 3/4 inches wide and 4 inches deep. It weighs in at 11 ounces. This piece is marked on the bottom Ross Originals and "46" in a circle dates this piece, I am quite sure. I tried to photograph the mark as best as I could, but it is difficult to see the name "Ross". This elephant bank was masterfully modeled, cast and decorated. I am not sure if Violet Ross worked alone or had employees, but being an early piece, I would tend think she did this piece herself. In fact some of her later work has dry unglazed bottoms. The raised up ear and the detailing is 2nd to none. Even the hoof that can not be seen was detaled with yellow and blue and all the decorating colors were applied underglaze. T isn't even a scratch on this piece, its hard to believe this bank is 61 years old. I believe I am offering this mint condition, hard to find piece at a very reasonable price. Many Ross pieces have been sold for well over $100.00 dollars and pairs of items almost always do. Please remember this elephant figure is also a bank. Please view the photos thoroughly and keep in mind, I will also look at offers on this piece for consideration. This is a great piece of pottery worthy of many collectible areas. Please, buy it now while you can. THANKS FOR LOOKING AND PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER LISTINGS! read more

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