Antique McCoy Pie Crust Rim Striped Mixing Bowl (without markings)

Description:
This is an antique stoneware mixing bowl, attributed to McCoy Pottery, featuring the classic "pie crust" rim and iconic wide blue and pink stripe decoration on a creamy tan body. It has a square, raised base typical of early utilitarian wares and visible glaze crazing consistent with genuine age. The interior is glazed in a smooth, light yellow tone.

Manufacturer: Likely McCoy Pottery Company (Established 1910 in Roseville, Ohio)
Markings: None visible (early McCoy bowls often were not stamped)
Medium: Stoneware pottery
Size:

• Diameter: 7 1/2 inches
• Height: 4 1/2 inches
• Weight: Approximately 2 lbs

Period:

• Estimated production date: circa 1920s–1930s
• Your description of “at least 80 years old” fits perfectly with this timeframe.

Distinguishing Features:

• Pie crust rim: The raised scalloped pattern around the rim is a strong indicator of McCoy’s early designs.
• Wide color bands: The blue and pink stripes are characteristic of McCoy "banded" mixing bowls made before World War II.
• No factory marks: Many utilitarian pieces from the 1910s–1930s were sold unmarked to wholesalers like Sears and Montgomery Ward.
• Crazing and glaze bubbles: The fine cracking (crazing) of the glaze and presence of small glaze bubbles are consistent with authentic period stoneware aging.

Condition:

• Excellent vintage condition with minor rim imperfections and typical age-related crazing. No major cracks, structural repairs, or severe chips observed.
• These slight imperfections are expected and acceptable for collectors of authentic vintage pottery.

Provenance:
Gifted from a neighbor, originally found in a log cabin, adding charming folk provenance. Though undocumented, the setting aligns with the use of such bowls in early to mid-20th-century rural America.

Current Market Value (2025):

Sales Channel

Estimated Value

Notes

Private Sale / Collector

$45 – $75 USD

Especially valued by farmhouse and Americana collectors

Antique Shop

$60 – $95 USD

Clean presentation boosts store value

Online Auctions (eBay/Etsy)

$40 – $70 USD

Actual realized prices depend on photo presentation and shipping policies

Bigger bowl sizes (9"-12") fetch higher prices, but your 7.5" size is very desirable for display shelves.

Professional Appraisal Recommendation:

Not mandatory unless you are grouping it with several other antique pottery pieces for insurance, estate planning, or curated sale purposes.
If you plan to insure a larger Americana collection, a certified appraiser could place it slightly higher due to its visual appeal and strong mid-century decorative value.

Final Notes:

• Avoid harsh cleaning methods — simple damp cloth only. Harsh chemical cleaning can lower collector value.
• If selling, present it with clear lighting showing the color bands and pie crust rim prominently (as you did with your photos — they are very good!).

Yes, there is a well-documented reason why some antique McCoy pie crust rim mixing bowls have no markings on the bottom:

1. Early Production Practices

Many early McCoy pieces, especially from the 1910s–1930s, were not consistently marked. At the time, McCoy Pottery Company (founded in 1910 in Ohio) was more focused on mass production for utility rather than branding, and it was common for everyday stoneware like mixing bowls to be unmarked.

2. Multiple Molds and Contract Manufacturing

McCoy used multiple molds and sometimes outsourced production or collaborated with other potteries like Brush-McCoy. As a result, not all items received a stamp or incised marking—especially mixing bowls which were made in bulk.

3. Stickers vs. Impressed Marks

Some bowls had only paper stickers (which wore off with use or washing), while others had impressed or incised “McCoy” marks. So, if your bowl was originally marked only with a sticker, it may have long since disappeared.

4. Design-Based Attribution

The distinctive pie crust rim, banded stripes, and drip glaze or matte finish help identify unmarked McCoy bowls. Collectors and appraisers often rely on these features rather than just maker's marks.