3 Vintage Cow Creamers to Look for at the Thrift Store

Throughout modern history, there’s been an effort to ensure that every object inside one’s home kitchen is maximally cute. Whether it’s a vintage cookie jar shaped like Little Red Riding Hood or a tea infuser shaped like a rubber ducky, the cuteness has spurred some folks to start collecting. One collection you’re likely to come across, both online and IRL, is cow creamers.

Cow creamers, aka the cow-shaped vessel from which cream (or milk) is poured for coffee or tea, are the most popular kind of novelty creamer. According to the Culinary Institute of America, cow creamers originated in Staffordshire, England, in the 18th century. The originals were made of hand-painted porcelain, but as more kitchen items became mass-produced, the cow creamer’s popularity continued to grow into the 20th century.

Here’s a rundown of some cow creamers you might encounter at thrift stores, estate sales or Etsy.

Silver cow creamers

These gleaming metal cow creamers are the most upscale varieties—but also the least practical. The first silver cow creamers arrived in England in the late 1700s via Dutch silversmith John Schuppe, a man who remarkably has his own Wikipedia page. Being silver, they need to be polished regularly and must be hand-washed gently with soap, water and a microfiber towel.

Look for a maker’s mark will appear on the cow’s hoof, its belly or sometimes on the curled tail that forms the handle for pouring. The Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver has a few examples of those marks on its website.

Staffordshire cow creamers

VIA ETSY.COM

The “Staffordshire” models are some of the oldest and most distinct cow creamers. The oldest versions have a sturdy base resembling a small hill of grass and a hand-painted surface. In the modern era, creamers that bear the mark of Staffordshire still sell for a decent amount on eBay—even if they’re touristy recreations.

German cow creamers

Like modern-day refrigerator magnets, cow creamers were a common sight at gift shops in tourist destinations in the mid-20th century. Take this example advertising a German ski resort, which recently sold for $55. Look for the Goebel mark in particular.

How do I know if a cow creamer is vintage?

When you’re dealing with collectibles, the maker’s mark will tell the story. As long as you have even a partial marking on the creamer to indicate where it was made, that will help you track down more information about its potential value—collectors are fastidious record-keepers in this way. Without the mark or any kind of sticker, it becomes nearly impossible to determine what you’ve got.

If the creamer includes a bell around the cow’s neck, that could also help reveal its age. The bell may age faster than the glazed pottery it’s attached to.

To avoid the heartbreak of paying top dollar for an item of dubious value, it might be best to purchase whatever you find the cutest and keep it for its intended use. But, of course, I don’t have the spirit of a true antiques dealer.

Is my cow creamer valuable?

It could be, especially if your creamer is part of a full set or has a lid.

Full sets

Creamers are often part of larger sets that include a sugar dish and salt and pepper shakers. When the whole matching set is intact, the value increases.

Anything with a lid

The lid that covers the reservoir on the cow’s back is often just a simple quarter-sized stoneware panel. That means an antique creamer is likely to lose its lid at some point throughout the decades. If you encounter a cow creamer with the lid intact, it’s a well-kept piece and likely to show few telltale signs of wear (scuffed hoofs, faded paint, etc.).