Metlox Appraisal

Vintage Metlox Pottery Winking Owl Cookie Jar

This is a vintage ceramic cookie jar shaped like a winking owl, a classic piece of mid-century Americana. The item is constructed of molded ceramic with a glossy overglaze finish. It features a predominantly off-white or cream-colored body with hand-painted accents. Notable characteristics include the owl's expressive face, with one large wide-open eye and one eye closed in a wink, surrounded by salmon or peachy-pink facial discs. It has a brown-painted beak and dark brown details on the talons and collar area. The head serves as the removable lid, with the seam sitting precisely at the neck. Physically, the piece shows some signs of age and wear including visible crazing in the glaze, which is common for earthenware of this era. There is a potential chip or loss of finish on the owl's right ear. Based on its design and finish, this is likely a production from Metlox Potteries of California from the 1950s or 1960s. The craftsmanship is typical of high-quality mass-produced California pottery, featuring whimsical sculptural details and vibrant but simple cold-painted or underglaze colors.