The McCoy Pensive Hound Planter: A Study in Mid-Century Anthropomorphic Form

6”W x 7 1/2”H x 8 1/2”D

This exceptional "Thinking Dog" vessel by the Nelson McCoy Pottery Company serves as a quintessential example of Mid-Century American zoomorphic design, reimagined for the modern showroom as a sophisticated sculptural planter. Originally modeled as the "Lazy Dog," the piece is characterized by bold, rounded volumes and an expressive, pensive silhouette that reflects the playful anthropomorphism central to McCoy’s mid-century studio output. The earthenware body is finished in a high-gloss, variegated chestnut glaze that artfully pools within the deeply incised "fur" texture, emphasizing the hound's slumped, contemplative posture. This authentic vintage specimen remains structurally sound with no cracks, featuring honest surface wear and a light patina to the glaze that lends a storied, tactile character to the vessel. Retaining its original hand-painted cold-paint accents on the tongue and eyes, the piece is prominently marked on the base with the debossed "McCoy USA" hallmark and design number 0272, certifying its historic provenance. For the discerning designer, this open-top vessel offers a witty, textural anchor for interior vignettes, functioning perfectly as a curated home for architectural succulents or trailing foliage.

Zanesville, Ohio

1950s