I recently became aware of a early 20th Century designer named Viktor Schreckengost (1906-2008). Not a household name for most people. Myself a collector and seller of vintage wares, was surprised that his name was not familiar to me and had not come up in my many online vintage research endeavors. Not only was Viktor a master of design in dinnerware but in so many other unrelated areas. Would you believe he even worked with the CIA?
Schreckengost was born in 1906 in Sebring Ohio. As an adult he attended the Cleveland School of the Arts, presently called the Cleveland Institute of Art. While he was attending art school he was hired by Cowan Pottery Studio. At that time he was commissioned by Eleanor Roosevelt to design punch bowls for a party in New York City. Turned out to be one of his most recognizable and sought after works of his career, the Jazz Bowl. Photo below is courtesy of Steve Basile taken at the Kirkland Museum in Denver Colorado.
Three years after graduating from the Cleveland School of the Arts, in 1932 the Cowan Pottery Studio closed. He was hired by American Limoges to design dinnerware that was more affordable to produce and create a smaller size plate during the Great Depression. His designs were considered pretty radical for the times, his modified streamlined and practical shapes were marketed under the names Americana and Diana. He later designed the shapes called Manhattan, Snowflake and Triumph. All of which he designed with modern colorful graphics as well as some more traditional decorations.
Below is American Limoges, Manhattan shape, Design-Flower Shop 1935
Sometime in the 1930s Viktor began designing for the Salem China Company, taking over as Chief Designer in 1946. During this time he produced many innovative shapes with modern flair. The Constellation, Flair and Ranchstyle were all produced around the same time. Because they all had similar shapes and glazes they were often used interchangeably. Many believe his most sought after dinnerware creation is the Free Form shape. These were completely abstract, the pieces were designed and shaped individually with their use in mind. For example, the iconic tripod feet. The teacup in this set was patented as being dripless because the feet could not retain enough fluid to allow for dripping when lifted from a damp saucer.
I love this one, Mid Century Cup and Saucer Set by Salem China in the Aquaria pattern. Photo courtesy of Kathysflatware, Ebay
The design on the left below is called Southwind. The design on the right is Teepee Free Form from Salem China. Seeing this Teepee Free Form photo was my inspiration for writing this article, from fellow team mate, MollyFinds . If you have found any of these amazing designs with the Free Form shaped dinnerware consider yourself lucky. Many of these designs command a high price.
Below are a few examples of his more affordable work. A Christmas set on the left and on the right a design called Mardi Gras. Photo courtesy of Rich McClellan.
Photo courtesy of Rich McClellan. Photo courtesy of Steve Basile
The pattern on the left is called Daybreak. On the right side, Jiffy Ware pitchers displayed at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts produced in 1942 from the Gem Clay Forming Co. both attributed to Viktor Schreckengost. The pitchers were initially attributed to Viktor’s artist brother Paul Schreckengost (1908-1983), a designer in his own right.
If this small sampling of his brilliant designs makes you want to scour the online countryside ( https://www.etsy.com/search?q=schreckengost ) to collect examples his dinnerware, I must tell you not only did he design ceramics but over the course of eight decades his work also includes; noted pottery designs, well-known sculptures, industrial design on numerous objects, bicycle designs like the first Mercury bicycle, pedal car designs, chairs, elegant watercolors, the innovation of the modern cab over engine truck design,critical research on radar feedback with the CIA and Navy plus over 50 years of teaching industrial design.
This painting is on my Christmas “WISH” list from Santa. Photo from Steve Basile.
Viktor Schreckengost – Winter Night, Watercolor, Sold at auction for over $4,000
In 2006, Viktor Schreckengost was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor the federal government can bestow on an American artist. In 2008, Viktor passed away at 101 years old.
Written by Linnea, BrooklynStVintage
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@BrooklynStVintage, thank you for researching and writing this delightful and informative blog post! Like you, I had not heard of Schreckengost before this. What a fabulous life he led and how creative. Love your writing style, as well. Going back for a second read. 🙂
I had not heard of Mr. Schreckengost – thank you for the introduction! I love those tripod teacups, but wonder if they were hard to store/stack in a cupboard.
I too had not heard of Victor Schreckengost but I sure do like his "stuff". Nicely done! Thank you
Thank you so much for your kind words. I so enjoyed learning about Viktor's achievements and his amazing talent. I will be on the lookout for his work at the flea markets this year!
I had not heard of the extremely talented Viktor Schreckengost! Like most of us though, I am familiar with some of his wonderful designs. I assume that his dinnerware pieces do not have his signature or name, and that's why he has been unknown to us. Thanks much for this very interesting post, Linneamarie!
Congratulations for this great work of research on this designer a little forgotten. I really like the colors and the colors!
Wonderful post. I found his career most fascinating. I also recognize some of the dinnerware patterns. Thank you for sharing your research and bringing to the forefront a very talented man and his accomplishments.
Great blog post. I learned so much.
I had never ever heard the name prior to reading your article. Thanks for the introduction!!
Wow – gorgeous stuff. Thank you so much for the information. I need to keep an eye out
Thank you so much for this article!!
My siblings and I found Schreckengost "Christmas Eve" dishes in our parents' attic which we recognized as having belonged to our grandparents. Our parents and grandparents were natives of Salem, Ohio where the "Salem China Company" was located. Since that time, we have enjoyed collecting additional pieces.