Description
We found this in our attic. It is in excellent condition. It is sort of a mustard color with green and chestnut coloring in the detail. We asked a local dealer and he told us that it was an authentic L.Hitchcock, but he had never seen anything in metal before. He was mostly familiar with the furniture. I could not find any info online about anything like this. I have attached 2 pictures, one of the inside and one of the back.
Re: L.Hitchcock painted metal bowl
Sorry it's a reproduction, the original Hitchcock company closed in 1852, never made bowls. The company was revived after World War Two and produced a great number of things the original company did not until they went bankrupt in 2006.
Re: L.Hitchcock painted metal bowl
The Hitchcock Company did close for a period but was reopened in the same factory and produced the same furniture. It recently changed owners and is now at a smaller scale, but still located in Riverton, CT. My grandmother worked there rushing chair seats in the 1970s.
I have a metal bowl very similar to your bowl, although not identical stencilling. I found your photos when I was looking for more information on mine. I can at least say that mine is absolutely authentic and made by the Hitchcock company. When my grandmother worked there, the owner wanted to show some friends around the town of Riverton and he knew that my grandfather had a sleigh and horses. He asked my grandpa to take them on a sleigh ride and he did... and this bowl was a thank-you gift directly from the owner. The bowl has been a treasured heirloom since. I know that very few bowls in this style were made.
My bowl has the same 5 panels of sheet metal with painted, stencilled designs. Mine has a black background with peach stencils. The signature on the back of mine is the same, with backwards "N"s in Conn. The town name of Hitchcocksville, by the way, was changed to Riverton because it was being confused in the post office with another town.
Your bowl looks authentic to me. It's rare and special indeed! I'm guessing they were made between the 1960s-1970s since that was when my grandpa was given it as a gift, but I don't know if earlier ones were made. Hitchcock is very valuable, even pieces made in recent decades.
I've included the website of the company below. They restore and sell antique Hitchcock. They may be able to tell you more.
http://hitchcockchair.com/
Re: L.Hitchcock painted metal bowl
I don't think this was made in the 60s and 70s. these totes were used 1900s as bread totes, most had lace covers to cover the breads. I don't think I would call these Reproductions either because they are not copys of anything that was made before then. Could have they been made by Hitchcocks company? yes. many companys try new stuff all the time, could even be concerdered a prototype of an idea that never got off the ground. To give someone a gift, you want it to be something of value to you, I don't think I would give a bowl as something special, if it was made the year your grand father gave the ride. (the owner wanted to show some friends around the town of Riverton) He gave them a nice gift. Not sure what the worth is in money, . Prices are all over the place. One in UK sold for $325. ( Hitchcock signed).
I enjoyed looking up this post. learned something new.
Re: L.Hitchcock painted metal bowl
These are niether rare or valuable and have no connection with the original Hitchcock company, the original company only made furniture. The only connection between the original company and the one that made the bowl is location it was made and name on it. I've seen these sell for less than $75.00 at auction.