The “Mother In The Kitchen” sprinkler bottle

The Mother In The Kitchen line of ceramic giftware was produced by Enesco and sold in the United States from 1956 through the 1960s. Pieces are also referred to as Prayer Ladies since many figures featured praying hands and/or a short prayer or inspirational phrase. 

Values vary according to the color and rarity of the piece. Colors included pink (the most commonly found); blue (slightly more valuable); and white trimmed in blue (the hardest to find, they command higher prices). Some items were numbered; others bore a gold foil Enesco seal. Earlier pieces that match this design might have a label other than Enesco, indicating an authorized importer.

There were at least 32 different designs, including:

AirFreshener; Bell; Bread/Table Crumber & Brush Set; Bud Vase; Candle Holder; 4-piece Canister Set; Clothes Sprinkler; Coffee Canister; Cookie Jar; Creamer; Egg Tiumer; Flour Canister; Flower Pot; Instant Coffee Canister; Mug; Napkin Holder; Picture Frame; Ring Holder; Salt & Pepper Shakers; Scouring Pad Holder; Spice Set & Rack; Spoon Rest; Spoon Storage Stand; String Holder; Sugar Bowl with Spoon; Sugar Canister; Tea Canister; Teapot; Toothpick & Holder; and Wall Plaque.

The Clothes Sprinkler

This sprinkler bottle has long been a favorite among iron collectors! Documentation supports it was produced in pink, blue and white ceramic (Kopish, 2000) but I have never seen a blue or white version. Recent prices for the pink sprinkler bottle, in excellent condition, have ranged from $300 to over $700.

Details:

● Removable head with 3 sprinkling holes and a cork strip around the neck.

● A red and gold sticker on the bottom that reads Enesco Import JAPAN.

● Measurements (including head): 6 5/8″ tall x 3 1/4″ wide x 3″ deep.

● Weight = 4 ounces with a liquid volume capacity of 8 ounces.

As with any collectible, select the best possible example. Purchase in the original box whenever possible and avoid a piece with damage (a crack or chip) or loss of paint (the prayer lettering is easily rubbed away). Examine each piece carefully from different angles to more accurately detect a hairline crack or crazing.

In comparison to other ceramic sprinklers this bottle is smaller and more delicate. While sprinkling there was always the potential of the head falling off and breaking. Could that be why so few exist today?

Reference books

The Deel book by Schiffer contains a lot of information on Enesco, including 5 pages of MIK documentation. The two Kopish books are long out of print, collectible, and hard to find. The Stahmer book can be printed on demand in either softbound or hardbound. I purchased a hardbound copy and was very pleased with the quality!

Note: All four reference books have full color images.

● Deel, Kathleen(2002). Enesco Then & Now. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. Softbound, color, 184 pages.

 ● Kopish, Donna (1994). Mother in the Kitchen: The Beautiful Lady. R.L.K. Industries. Softbound, 62 pages.

● Kopish, Donna (2000). Mother in the Kitchen and Other Prayer Pieces. R.L.K. Industries. Softbound, 98 pages.

● Stahmer, Deborah (2007). Mother in the Kitchen, The Collector’s Guide to Prayer Ladies. 4th Edition. Blurb Inc. (print on demand). 146 pages. https://www.blurb.com/b/115607-mother-in-the-kitchen

Related Trivetology blog posts

Collectible sprinkler bottles, Part 1

Collectible sprinkler bottles, Part 2

Plastic sprinkler bottles, Part 1: Minerware

Plastic sprinkler bottles, Part 2: Lustro Ware