The origin of cookie jars began in Britain. First known as biscuit jars, their first use began at the end of the 18th century. These early cookie jars usually found in grocery stores were usually made of glass with metal lids. The more early types were cylinder shapes with floral or leaf painted decoration. It wasn’t until 1930 that stoneware became the predominant material for American cookie jars.

The first ceramic cookie jar was made at the Brush Pottery Company in Zanesville, Ohio. This green jar with the name “Cookies” on the front, started a trend in which the words “Brush U.S.A.” were marked on all of their jars. Since then (the 1930s), a variety of cookies were produced in different shapes and representing different intellectual characters. The most prominent period of cookie jar production was between 1940 and 1970.

From collectors styles with vintage coca cola type cookie jars to holiday types, a large selection of cookie jars are available for everyone in your life. With animal types illustrating pigs, bears, cows, roosters and cats, just to name a few, the wide variety of jars allow anyone to find one that fits their personal preferences.

Character type cookie jars are popular as well with Winnie the Pooh and Betty Boop styles. The continuing variations of jars allows for a collector’s aspect to the ceramics. With a large selection of jars, many have begun to create a collection of specific types of cookie jars. This fun aspect to collecting something different makes the cookie jar industry much more successful than once thought.

Popular cookie jar and kitchenware themes:

• Animals such as frog, rooster, cow, dog, cat, pig, bear, fish, tiger

   

   

• Characters such as Snoopy, Garfield, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Betty Boop, Muppets, The Flintstones and Scooby Doo

   

   

• Popular brands such as Coca Cola, Disney or Warner Bros.