1940's Rosemeade Dakota Pottery Elephant Salt and pepper shakers

Description: 1940's Rosemeade Dakota Pottery Elephant Salt and pepper shakers. Much less
common in this trunk down form but I have seen this exact mold with original
labels, plus it's obviously Rosemeade clay, uncommon color also. 2.5" tall with
no damage.

Rosemeade pottery has become a popular collectible today because its creator,
Laura Taylor Hughes, chose subjects which continually fascinate people--animals,
birds, fish--and modeled authentic characterizations of their living
counterparts. These innovative designs were then accurately hand painted in
nature's vivid coloring.
Laura Taylor combined education, experience and creative skill. Educated at
UND, Taylor was a student and assistant to nationally known director, Margaret
Cable. After a short period of making Dickota pottery at the Dickinson Clay
Products Company, Laura Taylor was appointed state supervisor of the North
Dakota Works Administration (WPA).
An opportunity to demonstrate pottery making at the 1939 New York World's Fair
changed Laura Taylor's life as she met Robert J. Hughes, zealous booster of
state enterprise. Together they founded the Wahpeton Pottery Company in January
1940 and married three years later.
Many of Laura Taylor's naturalistic designs reflected the native flora and fauna
of her North Dakota farm childhood. A wide range of other products included
place souvenirs, human forms, functional items and advertising pieces.
Observing trends, Taylor met the needs and wishes of the public. The company
name was changed to Rosemeade Potteries in 1953 for better name recognition and
remained successful while many other companies of that era did not survive.
Distinctive lustrous glazes created by Howard Lewis, production manager, set
Rosemeade apart, making it easily recognizable. Metal oxides painted under the
glazes fired into colorful hues. Lewis also threw swirl pottery vases and
pitchers. He learned the swirl process while working at Niloak Pottery and
previously produced "Dickota Badlands" swirl pottery for the Dickinson Clay
Products Company.
Joe McLaughlin succeeded Lewis as production manager. McLaughlin introduced
decorative decals, including those of wildlife artist Les Kouba, and accelerated
advertising specialties sales. Rosemeade Potteries closed in 1961.
Although some early pottery and the swirl ware were thrown on the potter's
wheel, the majority of Rosemeade was cast in molds. Most Rosemeade pottery is
identified with an impressed mark or an ink stamp of the company name in black
or blue lettering on the bottom.
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