Huge antique stoneware crocks filled to bursting with pickles, jams bubbling away on stoves, and larders and pantry’s filled with pots and jars of all descriptions. It is not long ago that kitchens were full of stoneware and it was the choice of material for virtually everything.
For centuries stoneware crocks, jugs and bowls have been used extensively in the kitchen to prepare a huge range of foods, and to act as storage units. Stoneware is ovenproof, flame proof and ideal for dry storage of dry goods such as flour and sugar in a larder.
Since the birth of civilization man has always longed for a nice pot. They are after all, one of the handiest things for putting stuff in. Evidence of heavenly endorsement however was quickly refuted when it was discovered that coveting thy neighbor’s crocks was in fact a typo in the early King James edition.
To this day I expect a fair bit of coveting goes on behind closed doors at the Red Wing Collectors Society inc. Founded in 1977 this society holds the Red Wing Pottery works in very high esteem, maintaining large collections of items collected over the years. The Red Wing Potteries date back to the mid nineteenth century when German immigrants settled in the town of Red Wing, Minnesota. With legendary efficiency the Red Wing Potteries soon became the largest pottery in the United States.
Early pieces of Red Wing tend to be of the more practical nature, designed for the kitchen and larder. A wider range of stoneware jugs, bowls and crocks and many practical stoneware items for everyday use are now made by the company. Whilst some decoration was placed on these early items, commonly a blue flower or a bird, they were fairly plain in comparison with the Cobalt blue colors on earlier styles and the more modern decorative stoneware. Antique stoneware is often functional, however good pieces showing little signs of wear fetch higher prices at auctions.
The peak of popularity for antique collections, and in particular antique stoneware, was in the 1970s. A large number of the surviving crocks and bowls came out of attics and storerooms and came onto the market to be swept up by collectors. Whilst they are still available at auction houses and with dealers, there are much fewer on the market, with many kept in private collections.
If you are thinking of starting a collection and you are attracted to these items, take a little care when buying. Many pottery pieces have been restored which can decrease their value. There are fakes on the market, and whilst they may be of a high quality, when it comes to selling on a piece, you may lose considerable money. Always purchase from a reputable antique dealer to be safe and to minimize risk.
Genuine antique stoneware crocks can fetch between $300 and $750 in the 25-60 gallon range. A matching fitting lit essentially doubles its value. The lids rarely survive the test of time, and are in much higher demand. Most of the decorated jars on the market come from the period between 1909 and 1947 and if your crock has metal handles it is a post 1915 model. Maker’s marks help further identification of age; however an expert valuation and dating may be required for any degree of accuracy.