JB Cole Chrome Red Weed Vase

20th century North Carolina JB Cole chrome red "weed" vase. Perfect for wild flowers. 

Condition: Minor chips to rim, holes, and base

Material: Stoneware

Period: 20th century

Dimensions: 6.25"H x 5.25" diameter

Inventory# V2483

J.B. Cole (1869-1943) was a transformative figure in the North Carolina pottery tradition, bridging the gap between old-world functionalism and modern art pottery. Born into the legendary Cole family dynasty whose members have been potting in central North Carolina for more than 200 years, he established J.B. Cole’s Pottery in 1922 near the Seagrove area. His shop is considered the foundation of the modern Seagrove Pottery Community, which is now a federally recognized National Heritage Area.  

While his ancestors focused on the heavy, salt-glazed stoneware needed for farm life, J.B. recognized a shifting market during the Great Depression and Prohibition. He steered the family business away from whiskey jugs and toward colorful, decorative "artware" that appealed to tourists and collectors traveling through the state. Under his leadership, the pottery became famous for its vibrant, high-gloss glazes, particularly its iconic chrome red and multi-colored finishes. Cole was a savvy businessman who revolutionized the folk craft by publishing mail-order catalogs that allowed customers to select specific shapes and sizes, transforming his rural shop into a sophisticated operation. 

Beyond his own craftsmanship, J.B. Cole’s greatest contribution was the legacy he left through his children, Waymon Cole and Nell Cole Graves. By training them in the shop, he helped cement the family's influence for generations and supported Nell in becoming one of the first professional female potters in the South. His ability to adapt traditional techniques to contemporary tastes saved the family trade from obsolescence and helped define the modern aesthetic of North Carolina pottery.

Cole Pottery is held in several museums across the country, including exhibitions at the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery.