Cookie Jars as Kitsch: The Revival of Collecting America's Nostalgic Ceramic Containers
By
NaOH
Pure flour-power. Hearty enough to carry you through lunch.
Summary
The article explores the world of cookie jar collecting in America, focusing on how these ceramic containers have become kitsch collectibles rather than functional kitchen items. It profiles collectors like Hazy Mae who own dozens of vintage cookie jars but rarely keep cookies in them, examining the cultural phenomenon of cookie jars as nostalgic Americana. The piece also notes a revival with new cookie jars from brands like Supreme and Pillsbury, while observing that the trend is more about decoration and collecting than actual cookie storage.
Key quotes
· 2 pulledA friend of mine was like, 'You're the only person I know with 100 cookie jars and not a single cookie in your house,'
Since she was gifted her first cookie jar, a midcentury ceramic bear, several years ago, the New York City-based artist has become a collector of a few dozen quirky, mostly vintage cookie jars.
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