Folk Art Rabbit Painting with Marcrest Bowl Spring Gathering

A folk art rabbit painting I reproduced is accompanied by a “Marcrest” bowl filled with a bird’s nest along with real quail eggs that presents a unique spring gathering. This painting was done in black and ecru so I improvised by painting in color to the ferns as well as adding whimsical pooka dots to one of the rabbits. Painting is backed in cotton to create dimension to the slatted frame. My husband fashioned this frame from old strips of lath showing character knots that he antiqued. There is an intentional hole in one of the pieces as shown.

Marcrest bowl sporting a “daisy and dot” or “Pennsylvania Dutch” pattern dates from the “1950’s to 1960’s”. Marcrest was a trade name created by Marshall-Burns (Chicago) to market a uniform line of pottery, often forcing manufacturers to use the same marking system, such as "Marcrest Ovenproof Stoneware USA" or just "USA". The “Western stoneware Company”, in Monmouth, Illinois, produced the majority of this popular pattern.

Bowl shows a rich chocolate brown glaze while the decorative design is focused on the outside body. A tiny chip is located on the top rim while a small white glaze pop appears on the back. There is sister joined circular impressions located near the middle that may be a separate offshoot of the design. No markings are present. Bowl is in good condition without any cracks to report.

Large whimsical bunny seemingly teasing the other in play is a happy and great theme captured by the unknown artist. This piece can either be hung from the bottom of the horizontal lath or can also rest in a cupboard or table with the bowl close by. Perfect for Easter decorating as well.

Bowl measures 5” across the top, stands 3” tall and measures 2 ½” across the bottom. Rabbit Painting measures 7” tall, 7” across and is ¾” deep.