The large bowl, one of only a handful known to have survived, was purchased by an anonymous phone bidder who wishes to announce the acquisition at a later date.

Cowan created the first “Jazz” bowl for Eleanor Roosevelt when her husband, Franklin, became Governor of New York. Viktor Schreckengost designed the Art Deco icon to symbolize the vitality of New York during the late 20s. Scenes of entertainment, commerce and day-to-day life are etched into the large body with the word “Jazz” emblazoned in a circle on what is the front of the piece.

Cowan and Schreckengost produced at least two sizes of the “Jazz” bowl, this being the larger of the two, measuring 11-¼ inches in height and 16-¼ inches in diameter. Accounts of quantity produced vary with a total of less than 50 of the larger size perhaps the most accurate. Few are known in public or private collections perhaps due to the large surface area and fragile nature of the bowls.

This Jazz bowl came from a family in Illinois who had owned and used it since the 30s. No connection to the Roosevelt bowl can be made although this one did spend most of its life in New York State.

Cincinnati Art Galleries’ auction price of $121,000 is a record for Cowan and one of the highest prices ever for any example of American art pottery.

Price quoted includes a ten percent buyer’s premium.