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Collecting Red Wing Salt Glaze
by Kathryn Schleich
Pottery and/or antique collectors who want to expand their interest should consider tarting a collection of Red Wing Salt Glaze Pottery. Manufactured in the earliest days of Red Wing Potteries, salt glaze was produced from 1877 to the late 1890s when replaced by the much more common “white ware” pottery.
A beautiful salt glaze 15 gallon salt glaze crockSalt Glaze takes its names from the process used to fire it. The stoneware was placed in the kiln unglazed and salt was shoveled into the kiln during firing. The compound of sodium then formed a shiny yet transparent glaze which acted as a sealant.
Appreciate the reasons why people collect Red Wing Salt Glaze Pottery – to display, as a long-term financial investment, and as a means of passing on the history of Red Wing and its pottery and beautiful folk art to future generations. Then decide what you plan to do with your collection of salt glaze.
It’s also important to educate yourself on Red Wing Salt Glaze. Much salt glaze is true American folk art, due to the deep cobalt blue designs (targets, birds, butterflies, leaves, and flowers) applied by hand making each piece of salt glaze pottery unique. Good books on the subject are Red Wing Potters and Their Wares by Gary and Bonnie Tefft and Red Wing Stoneware by Dan and Gail DePasquale and Larry Peterson. Before starting to build a salt glaze pottery collection, familiarize yourself with the history of the pottery and focus on the pieces you like.
The next thing you’ll need to do is establish a budget. You will quickly discover that collecting Red Wing Salt Glaze can be quite expensive, costing thousands of dollars for one piece. One way is to pick one or two outstanding pieces to purchase say every year or so. If that isn’t a realistic option, buy less quality pieces when you first begin collecting. When you’re more financially able, look to sell those pieces you purchased early on, and purchase the better quality salt glaze with part of your proceeds.
You will also need to monitor the salt glaze market and become familiar with current economic conditions and prices. Now is a great time to buy salt glaze. Unlike other Red Wing Pottery, the age and rarity of salt glaze make it also easier to sell.
Learn the characteristics of Red Wing Salt Glaze, particularly since so little of the pottery was marked. One of the most important characteristics is the heavy, rounded rim. Second is the shape of the “ear” handles. A triangular strip of clay was applied just below the rim and the handles were bent into a slight arch with the tapered ends curving downward, making the pottery easier to carry. Third look for the impressed signature markings on Red Wing Salt Glaze. It’s estimated that as little as 20% of Red Wing Salt Glaze was marked. It’s also important to know the colors of salt glaze – it’s most often light tan or brown, less frequently a metallic gray. The inside of the pottery is a deep brown. Finally look for the often stunning cobalt blue designs.
Where can you still find Red Wing salt glaze? Search for salt glaze at estate and farm auctions. Another excellent place to buy and sell salt glad is during the Red Wing Pottery auctions that take place during the annual convention in Red Wing, MN each July. Look for Red Wing Salt Glaze from your past. While not as common as Red Wing Stoneware, art pottery, or dinnerware you can still find pieces stored in barns, attics, and basements. Those connections are definitely worth investigating. Lastly, enjoy building your salt glaze collection and have fun!
Kathryn Schleich is a writer residing in Minnesota. In 2003 she published her first book, Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and Other Images through iUniverse. This article first appeared on the www.eHow.com web site. She may be contacted at: kathrynschlei777@yahoo.com. Visit the web site at: www.women-write.com.
