Question:
hi, i found two identical small white crocks w/ wooden lids in an antique store. They are about 7-8” tall and stamped red wing on the bottom. I’m having a problem w/ the container they are in. It looks to be an old bamboo carring device for the crocks. i tried doing my homework on this but have come up empty handed. thank-you so much, janice

Answer: I’ve seen no documentation on the serving set that you’ve described, although they do turn up for sale occasionally. They are not part of any dinnerware pattern. Buffet service pieces were popular in the 1950s and most likely this set dates from that era. I’ve seen these called steam table inserts, so perhaps the rickety carrier was used to move the crocks to and from the steam table. They may well have been made for the restaurant trade. They don’t seem to attract much attention from collectors; value for the set you describe would be $30 to $50.

Larry