Question:
Hello–I have been finding Red Wing’s Merrileaf pattern recently. It is lovely! Can you tell me who designed it? I am also curious about the creativity behind the design; when I found first pieces a few months ago they took my breath away. It’s incredibly beautiful and timeless. I appreciate any information you can provide me with. Thank you.

Answer: Merrileaf is one of eight patterns in the True China line (also called China by Red Wing). Standard earthenware clay was used to make earlier Red Wing dinnerware lines. But china-quality clay was used to produce the True China line, and this was promoted as a selling point by Red Wing. The True China line was introduced in 1959, and most likely this is also when Merrileaf production began. The earliest Merrileaf brochure in my collection is dated July 1961, but a January 1961 dealer’s price list includes Merrileaf among the company’s prime patterns of the time. The same is true on a January 1962 price list. But by 1966 Merrileaf has been reduced to a "Limited Open Stock Pattern", which means only basic place setting pieces were still being made and other pieces were limited to the stock on hand.

The Merrileaf pattern is attributed to Charles Murphy, Red Wing’s most prolific designer. The Merrileaf brochure describes the pattern as "subtle, yet vibrant. Subtle, smoky tones capture the decorator’s theme of strong shapes and reliefs. Merrileaf is a classic".

Today Merrileaf seems to hold rather mild interest for Red Wing collectors. There is a fair amount of it available but it isn’t in high demand. Basic pieces can be readily obtained but accessory pieces such as the teapot and the 6-piece relish dish are difficult to find. Merrileaf would be a good pattern for a beginning collector — reasonable prices with both easy to find and challenging pieces.

Larry