Pig Cookie Jars are very popular among vintage collectible cookie jars. Cookie jar collecting is a wonderful pastime for people of any age. The phrase, caught with your hand in the cookie jar, makes you think of warm days in the kitchen with fresh cookies baking then being put neatly away until after dinner. The type of cookie jar varied, but one of the most popular motifs that has remained a collector's item to this day are pigs.
Names in the Business
By far the biggest name connected with pig cookie jars is the Shawnee Pottery company that began in the 1930s in Ohio. Here, the Shawnee factory was able to produce upward of 100,000 ceramic items a day selling them to various firms including notably Sears Roebuck and Company, S.S. Kresge and Woolworth.
This connection to retailes is part of what drove the cookie jar market forward. The very first Smiley pig cookie jar came on the market at a price of $12.00 each. It was cold painted with a blue or red scarf.
Makers Marks
If you're lucky enough to find one of Shawnes's pig jars (or any of their cookie jars for that matter) you want to watch for the most common maker's marks used by the company. These include:
- Patented, Smiley Co., Shawnee, U.S.A.
- USA, 6
- Patented Winnie, Shawnee, USA, 61
- Patented, Mugsey USA
- Patented, Winnie, USA
- Patented, Puss N Boots, USA
A few jars also bore the mark for Great Northern or Kenwood.
Newer Shawnee Cookie Jars
Buyers should be aware that Shawnee Pottery produced cookie jars in the 1990s. These will have different marks than their vintage cookie jars. Specifically the Smiley line will have the year it was produced, the name of the jar, and signatures (it will also note it as a commemorative edition so that you won't be fooled). Unfortunately, of Shawnee's cookie jars the Smiley Pig and Winnie pig are two that have been frequently made into "knock offs."
What you can Expect to Pay
A vintage Shawnee Smiley pig can start around $200, with the average price being about $500. This is because many collectors do not feel their set is complete without them. One of the highest prices ever fetched for a Smiley Pig was $6,750.00 in July 2002. The key to value is condition and whether or not the jar has any gold trimming or unique decals.
By comparison Winnie jars sell for $300 - $800 dollars on average. Like the Smiley Pig, any extra adornment ups the price / value considerably.
Other Names in Pig Cookie Jars
Shawnee was but one of several manufacturers to jump on the animal motif. Other names you might find include Purinton (value for vintage piece about $325.00), Hagen-Renaker (Price around 4,900 for 1950s edition), and more currently Coco Dowley Pig jars for about $70.00. Note that some pig cookie jars come with matching salt and pepper shakers.
Here are the current listings on eBay:
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| Rare Vintage Shawnee Smiley Pig Cookie Jar Pottery Dirty Mud COLD PAINT LOOK | |
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$12.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 6:24:22 PST Buy It Now for only: $88.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| CIC Coco Dowley Series Smiling Pig Butterfly Ceramic Cookie Jar 10 Length | |
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$15.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 10:42:00 PST Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Adoreable Smiley Pig Pitcher EC LOOK | |
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$90.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 11:13:15 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| rare Smiley pig cookie jar Shawnee pottery | |
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$175.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 13:05:56 PST Buy It Now for only: $175.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| SMILEY PIG HEAD BANK COOKIE JAR | |
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$72.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 16:52:17 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Shawnee Smiley Pig Cookie Jar Blue Scarf 1940s | |
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$41.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 17:30:57 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Shawnee USA Smiley Pig Cookie Jar w Label and 12K Gold Paint Shamrocks | |
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$175.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 18:42:37 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| RARE 1950S VINTAGE SHAWNEE PIG COOKIE JAR WITH BLUE ACCENT VERY COOL PIECE | |
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$69.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 20:10:24 PST Buy It Now for only: $69.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Plastic Paddy Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$4.00 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 7:06:11 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| SPOTTED PIG COOKIE JAR | |
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$9.99 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 8:45:36 PST Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| certified international cookie jar pig with butterfly | |
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$1.00 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 11:10:31 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Nice McCoy pig cookie jar | |
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$61.99 (5 Bids) End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 15:49:14 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VTG XL MID CENTURY EAMES ERA GUIDO GAMBONE BITOSSI STYLE ORANGE PIG COOKIE JAR | |
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$175.00 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 16:28:34 PST Buy It Now for only: $175.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Adorable Vintage McCoy Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$35.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 16:42:37 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Talking Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$10.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 17:29:48 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage American Bisque Female Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$64.99 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 20:22:44 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage antique Shawnee Smiley pig cookie jar FREE SHIPPING | |
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$69.99 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 21:00:14 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| BLOCK COOKIE JAR CLASSICS SMILING PIG PINK PURPLE | |
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$31.99 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 21:47:23 PST Buy It Now for only: $31.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE COLD PAINT SHAWNEE SMILEY PIG COOKIE JAR | |
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$25.55 (6 Bids) End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 4:47:54 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hull Pottery Catalog Brochure Brown Drip Cookie Jar Corky Pig Bank | |
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$8.34 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 5:05:13 PST Buy It Now for only: $8.34 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Brush Formal Pig Cookie Jar early 1950s mint | |
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$150.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 7:37:29 PST Buy It Now for only: $199.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 1976 Porky Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$76.50 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 8:31:42 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| TreasureCraft Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$20.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 9:46:37 PST Buy It Now for only: $30.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Jim Shore BARNYARD Canister Cookie Jar Pig Cow LARGE | |
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$24.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 9:54:58 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Shawnee Smiley The Pig Cookie Jar With Tulips And Rare Gold Trim | |
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$250.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 11:13:55 PST Buy It Now for only: $350.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Bensons Japan Ceramic Pig Goodie Cookie Jar | |
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$34.80 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 12:10:56 PST Buy It Now for only: $48.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Chef Pig with Blue Scarf Ceramic Cookie Jar | |
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$24.50 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 12:11:23 PST Buy It Now for only: $32.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE AMERICAN BISQUE PIG LID ONLY COOKIE JAR | |
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$29.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 12:50:51 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$12.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 13:04:41 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Momma Pig Cookie Jar Baby Pig Bank | |
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$18.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 16:02:24 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| BEAUTIFUL PIG COOKIE JAR | |
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$9.95 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 17:10:41 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Shawnee Pottery Smiley The Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$30.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 19:14:58 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Smiley Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$200.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 19:19:20 PST Buy It Now for only: $250.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Clay Art Cookie Jar Pig on Harley Clay Art Road Hog Cookie Jar 1996 San Fransico | |
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$19.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 19:57:30 PST Buy It Now for only: $60.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Shawnee pig cookie jar | |
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$15.50 (3 Bids) End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 20:00:32 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| ADORABLE Ceramic Pig Piggy Chef Cookie Jar TOO CUTE | |
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$45.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 20:09:35 PST Buy It Now for only: $45.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Bacon Pig Furry Bones Cookie Treat Jar | |
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$40.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 22:23:57 PST Buy It Now for only: $40.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Piggy Pig Farmer Cowboy Cookie Jar Resembles Shawnee | |
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$29.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 2:17:46 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Shawnee Smiling Pig Cookie Jar PLUS Salt Shaker | |
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$149.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 9:34:38 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| SMILEY PIG COOKIE JAR SALT PEPPER SHAKERS | |
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$1.04 (2 Bids) End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 9:37:30 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Smiling Pig In a Bubble Bath Cookie Jar Scrubs His Back With a Brush NWOB | |
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$31.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 10:58:31 PST Buy It Now for only: $31.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Farmer Pig Cookie Jar | |
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$3.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 11:43:19 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage MCCOY White Cookie Jar SMILING PIG w Curly Tail 8 1 2 T 7 1 2 Wide | |
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$25.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 12:27:14 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Fitz Floyd Essentials Ceramic Pig Hiker Cookie Candy Jar Walking Stick Map | |
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$49.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 13:16:10 PST Buy It Now for only: $69.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE Hand Painted Stoneware Cookie Jar w Pig Ear Handles Possibly Ransbottom | |
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$29.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 13:16:28 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SHAWNEE WINNIE THE PIG COOKIE JAR | |
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$120.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 13:37:32 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Fitz Floyd FRENCH MARKET Cookie Jar NIB AS IS Pig Piglet Farm Animal | |
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$49.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 14:58:33 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Department 56 JAM BON Pig Cookie Jar Lid 2 pc Covered Piggy VGCond Dept 56 | |
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$31.97 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 15:30:34 PST Buy It Now for only: $40.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| POPPIES ON BLUE COLLECTION PIG COOKIE JAR | |
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$30.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 16:25:06 PST Buy It Now for only: $75.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE TILSO HAND PAINTED PIG COOKIE SNACK JAR RARE | |
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$29.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 16:29:29 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
