Question:
I bought a fun Red Wing bowl that is hand painted with dancing Peasants, I believe. It says Red Wing and USA on the back. Was wondering when it was made and what it might be worth, rarity? Thank you, Shayna

Answer: Shayna, According to a July 1942 sales brochure, you have an "Incised Peasant" Salad Bowl. It is one of three items available in the Incised Peasant design. The other two are a Cookie Jar and a Munch Jar (low and squat in shape). The bowl is the only piece that is marked Red Wing. All three items were available in three colors: Brown, Green and White. Unlike most Red Wing hand painted pottery, the peasant figures were cold painted (over the glaze). Because the colors are not sealed under the glaze they are easily removed. After 60-some years many of these pieces have lost a considerable amount of their original paint . That appears to be have happened with your bowl as very little of the original paint is visible.

An Incised Peasant Salad Bowl in excellent condition and with intact original paint would be worth $25 to $40, with the white color on the low end and green on the high end. Loss of paint detracts from the value, as do any chips and cracks.

Larry