Rare Vintage Frankoma 8 Blue Prairie Flower Pitcher Vase Art Pottery 835

Pictured here are a Frankoma #289 vase circa 1934-38 approximately 4″ tall in an unknown dark blue glaze, and a Frank Potteries #290 vase circa 1933-34 approximately 5.5″ tall in what has been called Early Blue glaze. (Mold numbers for reference only in Gary Schaum's Collectors Guide to Frankoma Pottery book.)

Frankoma #289 Vase

Frank Potteries #290 Vase

I first learned of the existence of these vases while doing some online research on Frank Potteries pieces after purchasing a Frank Potteries creamer on eBay (pictured at bottom). During my searches, I came across a forum where someone was discussing finding these vases at a sale held by a former neighbor of Joe Taylor and his famous Bruce Goff house. The posts discussed the vases and what was on the bottom.

It was suggested to the owner of the vases that she take them to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma and to the Frank sisters, Donna and Joniece. At this point, I tried to message the owner on Facebook but the message probably went to her "other" folder since we weren't friends and she probably never saw it. I figured that another collector probably bought them from her as I could not locate the forum discussion anymore.

A few months later, the owner posted about them on a Frankoma Facebook page. I sent a friend request and she accepted. We discussed the vases, her visit with the curator at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, and her visit with Donna and Joniece Frank. Turns out the owner of the vases knew the Frank family from working for the veterinarian they took their pets to years ago. No fault could be found in the authenticity of the vases and the markings on the bottoms. The Frank sisters provided signed letters regarding the possible history of these vases. A deal was struck and I purchased both vases.

The #290 vase has written on the bottom "Original first test piece of the Frank Potteries" believed to be in Joe Taylor's handwriting. The writing is under some glaze remnants.  According to the seller of the vases, the Frank sisters recognized the hand writing as Joe Taylor's. Now whether or not the writing means it was the first test piece of the newly created Frank Potteries business or the first test piece of that vase is unknown. I like to go by the actual wording present, :). Later test piece labeling was inscribed into the clay, so at this early point in the life of the business, I'm guessing a standard way of marking test pieces was not yet in place.

Bottom, Frank Potteries #290 Vase

The #289 vase has the famous Pot & Puma Cat Mark on the bottom along with "JOE TAYLOR" handwritten on it. I have been told that Joe Taylor's wife would write either "JOE TAYLOR" or just "TAYLOR" on most pieces in their house. The name of the dark blue glaze is unknown to me. The Taylors were known to give pieces as gifts and it's believed that's what happened with these. I have had a Frankoma fan and collector confirm that the pieces are from the Taylor home and visually saw them there back when Joe was still alive and living there.

Two Views, Bottoms, Frankoma #289 Vase

I have no current plans to sell the vases. I would trade for a Frankoma T6 Club Trade Winds Tulsa tiki god bowl like the one pictured here. If they ever do go to a new home, I hope they stay together.

Frankoma T6 Club Trade Winds Tulsa Tiki God Bowl

Molter's Frank Potteries Ebay Piece

Bottom, Molter's Frank Potteries Ebay Piece

Below: Molter's Tiki Collection, 8/2015

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Source: https://frankomacollectors.org/2015/08/25/rare-unique-frankoma-pottery/

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