Vintage 1957 Shawnee Kenwood Medallion 515 Bronze Glaze Vase Mid Century Modern Textured Pottery

Striking metallic color, deeply modeled geometric texture and an unusual architectural silhouette distinguish this vintage 1957 Shawnee Pottery Kenwood Medallion vase, model 515. Produced in Zanesville, Ohio, the Medallion line represents one of Shawnee's particularly distinctive late-1950s decorative pottery treatments, combining modern forms with a dramatic bronze glaze. Pieces from the line may carry either Shawnee or Kenwood markings, and this example is clearly molded “KENWOOD USA 515” on the underside.

Standing approximately 10 inches tall, the vase combines a rounded bulbous base with a tall, gently flaring upper body. The lower section is wrapped in closely spaced vertical and horizontal ribbing, while the upper section carries an exceptionally dense geometric relief of repeating diamond, hourglass and linear forms. The textured surface transforms the glaze as the vase is turned: warm copper, bronze and golden highlights emerge across the raised decoration while dark chocolate and near-black tones settle into the recesses. The resulting metallic appearance gives the piece far more visual depth than a conventional brown-glazed vase and makes it particularly effective under changing light.

An original foil label remains inside the vase, an especially desirable survivor on vintage American pottery since removable factory labels were frequently lost through use and cleaning. The combination of the Kenwood 515 molded mark and surviving label adds considerable collector interest. The design also has excellent crossover appeal beyond dedicated Shawnee collectors, particularly for collectors of 1950s American pottery, Mid Century Modern ceramics, Zanesville Ohio pottery, metallic glaze pottery, textured geometric ceramics and Atomic Era decorative design.

The vase presents beautifully overall. Two tiny white flecks are visible near the base and are shown in the photographs for full disclosure. The photographs also document the naturally varied bronze finish and the underside, including the original factory markings. Please review all images as part of the condition description.

With its substantial 10-inch scale, heavily textured surface and luminous bronze-to-copper coloration, this is a particularly decorative example of Shawnee's late-1950s modern production. It works equally well as a collectible piece of American art pottery or as a sculptural accent in a Mid Century Modern, Atomic, modernist or eclectic interior.