Coventry Cow Creamer

Q: My cow creamer has been in our family for decades. Cream in the pitcher pours out of the cow’s mouth, and the handle is its tail. The cow, which is in a sitting position, is about 5 inches tall. The bottom is marked “Coventry, Made in U.S.A.” and “5540B” in gold-colored ink. What is it worth?

A: Carrie Daum opened an artware business in Barberton, Ohio, in 1932. She called her business Dior Studios until 1936, when she changed its name to Coventry Ware, Inc. In 1940 Daum added ceramic figurines and artware to her earlier lines of composition and plaster products. Your creamer and similar pieces, many made with gold-painted highlights, most likely date from the 1940s. And the creamer was probably designed by artist Elaine Carlock (1915-2012), who worked at Coventry before moving to Michigan in 1952. The 5540B mark is a shape number. Your creamer is collectible, but not rare. Depending on its condition and decoration, it would sell for $25 to $40.