Question:
A piece of Red wing came into my possession last week via an old friend. It looks like a small baking dish, 5" diameter and approx 2-3/4" high with a handle and pouring spout. It is brown glaze inside as is the lid and the outside of the pot is yellowish. It says on the side Red wing, provincial Ware 22. that same number is on the inside of the lid. There are no cracks or chips. The handle and outside rim are discolored probably from use. what can you tell me about it and how can I clean it? Thanks so very much. Mary in Maryland

previous question:

http://www.redwingcollectors.org/content/view/3318/117/

Answer:
Your dish is from the Red Wing Provincial Cooking Ware line, made during the World War II years. Red Wing’s name for #22 is "Petite Marmite" or individual casserole. As the name implies, Provincial Cooking Ware consisted of various baking dishes: Casseroles, stock pots, bean pots, open baking dishes, fry pans, etc. No place settings or tableware was included in this line. Most collectors aren’t interested in this set because of this. Also, most pieces that have survived tend to have a dirty appearance because grease and soil was difficult to remove from the bisque exteriors. Value for a Petite Marmite with cover would be $10-15 if no chips or cracks and in reasonably clean condition.

Cleaning your dish will be difficult because the grime is most likely grease-based. The bisque exterior readily absorbed stains and does not release the stain easily. I use 40% hydrogen peroxide to successfully clean stained dinnerware but I’ve only done so with glazed surfaces. This product is available at beauty supply stores. You could try soaking your dish in straight peroxide for several days and see if it helps. But I cannot promise it will help nor am I sure it won’t make matters worse. If you do try this, soak the piece in peroxide for several days (or even weeks if you see progress), then soak it in clean water for the same length of time. Change the water occasionally.

Larry