Antique Crock Markings - Antiques PricesHow do you identify an antique Crock?
Crocks are some of the most difficult antiques to identify.Crocks made by hand were usually marked with an official stamp, name, symbol, or signature.Instead, potters would paint their works with decorations made of blue.
Some manufacturers stuck with specific patterns during their early years of production, while others would only start marking their wares as technology improved.
It is difficult for those of us who are not experts to identify a piece.It can be difficult to read and understand these marks.We will be going over some of the more popular methods that were used to mark crocks, how to find and identify them, as well as a number of recognizable marks.
You can compare an individual company's logo and trademarks against any that may be found on your crock.The lack of signs would indicate when the crock could have been made.When you are trying to narrow down the age of your crock, look for one or more of the following indicators.
Most of the earlier crocks were never marked with a production indicator, a manufacturer's stamp, logo, or signature.As crocks were handcrafted by skilled potters, they would finish them with their own hand painted patterns and images before salt-glazing their wares.
The images were used to identify one company from another.Red Wing Stoneware used several different hand drawn images, from leaves to flowers, birds and butterflies, as well as swirling patterns and lines.If you want to identify a crock by the painting alone, you need to know the different manufacturers and their decorations.
Most crocks have a number on them.The numbers would either be painted or stamped on.The numbers are not a direct indication of who made the crock.The style of number and implementation can be used to help identify a crock, because each manufacturer had a preference of placing or impressing the number.
The numbers were not used to identify the crock's style or model design.They were used to show the size of the crock.A 3 means that the crock holds 3 gallons, and a 5 means it holds 5 gallons.Some crocks were also measured in quarts and the units of measurement were not limited to gallons.
It is highly unlikely that handcrafted crocks will be perfectly symmetrical and smooth.Look for signs of flattening when the crock is being handled before it is placed in the kiln.Check for any small humps that may be present.Check to see if there are any differences in the thickness of the walls along the same height line.There could be an indication that the crock was handcrafted.
The glazes used in today's manufacturing processes could leave little bumps.The glaze may have left the surface relatively smooth with a shiny almost glass-like finish, but small lumps could still develop as the glaze cured.The lump can still be felt when touched.
You can find the manufacturing company's name engraved on the bottom of the crock if the piece is older.It can be found on a tag attached to the crock near the rim, or in the side wall.
Look for anything that could have been put in there, a name, symbol, signature, or just a random combination of letters or numbers.
Sometimes the marks put on a crock can be hard to read, either due to wear and tear or because the mark was not clearly made to begin with.There are a few ways to read these marks more clearly.
Try different lighting from different angles.A brighter light shone parallel to the crock's surface could reveal more details in the shadows.If back lighting the mark could help reveal more details, try taking the crock outside to use the direct sunlight.
If lighting alone isn't enough to help you read the mark, try rubbing it.We advise you not to use a pen, pencil, or marker for this as they could cause damage to your crock's surface.Rub a piece of charcoal over the paper that is being pressed against the mark.The paper will be marked by the charcoal when there is a solid surface beneath it.
Once you have the manufacture's name, pattern details, or any other useful information, you can narrow down your search further by cross examining what you've found against other known marks and manufacturer details.
Several crocks are being sought after by many avid collectors.There are three examples of such companies and a few of their markings to look out for.
The Red Wing range of stoneware began production in 1877.Prior to 1896, they used a rich tan salt-glaze and hand painted their decorations.
Most of their early wares have a side wall stamp.They used metal stamps that were impressed into the wall of their crocks to make these stamps.
They preferred using a base mold for the production of the crocks.The bottom of the crock was shaped by this mold, as well as the company's details into the base.
After 1896, Red Wing stopped using a salt-glaze to seal their wares and began to use a creamy colored zinc glaze.
They replaced their hand painted decorations with stamped designs.The Birch Leaf and Elephant Ear designs were incorporated into two of the first stamp designs.
They replaced their stamp designs with a red wing logo in 1906.The logo has changed over time.The logo was six inches in length.They settled on a two inch design after reducing it to four inches.
The Red Wing Stoneware products were halted after the factory closed.The company was bought by new owners.
Depending on who you speak to, Western Stoneware is either the same company or a different entity.The Western Stoneware Company was formed in 1906 after six other factories joined together to form a single company.
The production of pottery began in Illinois in 1894.Their earlier wares were salt-glazed and Albany slip glazed.
They switched to a Bristol glaze after using various stenciled and stamped decorations.The two men in a crock design was one of their more notable designs.
The primary stamp design was a maple leaf logo with the words "Monmouth Pottery Co." in its center.
The dispute over the company's identities comes from the logo.The same maple leaf logo was used on all of the wares produced in each factory when Western Stoneware Co. was formed in 1906.The center now reads "Western Stoneware Co." and a plant # can be found in or near the logo.The factory that produced the product was indicated by this number.
They are not to be confused with Roseville Pottery because their abbreviated RRP appears on their logo.The Robinson-Ransbottom Company was formed in 1920 after they merged with Robinson Clay Products.
Initially using a simplistic stamp with their company name and details stamped on in cobalt blue, the company would later adopt the crown design that they would become more known for.
The crock size indication number can be found in a circle at the top of the crown.The crown has three curves: an upper one, a center one and a bottom one.
If you find yourself with a crock, you may want to have it assessed.Some crocks can go for thousands of dollars.Maybe that crock you see being used as a plant pot is actually a rare antique.If you would like more information on crocks, please read our Antique Crocks Value Guide.
The pottery includes antique ceramic ware, Crock, monmouth pottery company, red wing stoneware, and the western stoneware company.
I think the pot I have is old.There are no marks on it other than a black number 5 and a faint B at the bottom.I can't distinguish marks on the base or anywhere else.There are some small bumps on the surface.It is beige in color and has a narrow top.I am trying to figure out what it might be.Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.