About Antique Cookie Jars

History

• The history of the antique cookie jar dates to the 18th century and originated as a biscuit jar because it was used to hold biscuits and fresh pastries. The original antique cookie jars started off being made of glass with metal lids that were secured to the top to keep foods fresh and away from bugs and pests. As cookie jars began to evolve in the 1920s through the 1950s, they developed cute and clever designs that replicated cartoon characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, animals such as pigs, and everyday objects such as houses and clocks. Cookie jars quickly took Canada and the United States by storm as every household wanted to add one to its decor. The glass cookie jars eventually evolved into porcelain or ceramic as many designs began to be mass produced. In other parts of the world such as Great Britain, the cookie jar is still referred to as a biscuit jar and generally maintains its simple glass jar design.

Function

• The function of the antique cookie jar serves two general purposes, to hold cookies, food treats and snack items and also to hold change or small trinkets. An antique cookie jar can also serve the strict purpose of being for decorative purposes only. Cookie jars can hold large homemade cookies or store store-bought animal cookies or candies. Some cookie jars that serve as decorative items can hold items such as money, keys or other small items that need to be concealed but found on a daily basis.

Types

• There are several types of cookie jars. Cookie jars can be made out of ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, stoneware, wood and metal. Most are designed for multipurpose household food storage but some are strictly sold as decorative pieces and are not to be used for food storage. Some older antique cookie jars that pose a risk for chipped paint or cracked enamel should not be used or placed in water as this could damage the authenticity of the product.

Identification

• One can identify an antique or vintage cookie jar by the many styles and designs that replicate such characters as clowns, Cinderella and even Little Red Riding Hood. Famous people also have had cookie jars made after them such as Lucille Ball and Elvis Presley. Objects were also a popular model for cookie jars made in the early 1940s and 1950s, such as cars and trucks, tree houses and butter churns. Comedic animals and cartoon characters are also popular antique cookie jars such as the original Mickey Mouse cookie jar and the Goofy Disney character cookie jar.

Features

• Cookie jars' features include the removable lids, which are either at the top or in the back. The opening of most cookie jars is generally 6 or more inches in circumference so that one can reach in and grab the cookies. Some cookie jars have removable top halves which reveal the entire inside of the jar for easy cleaning.The enamel finish on most cookie jars makes cleaning with a mild soap or dusting an easy way to keep the jars in good condition.