Question:
I have not been able to identify this piece through any of the redwing books or anything I can find on the web. Can you help me. A friend of my aunts said this had belonged to her grandmother. Thank you

                                                                                                                                                Answer: This beautiful little gem is a Minnesota Stoneware Company 4 gallon Elephant Ear Ice Water. These were produced between the late 1890′s and before 1909 and are earlier than the Red Wing Water Coolers. Elephant Ear Ice Waters are extremely collectible and in "Mint" condition can demand a value between $2000 & $3000. Even though the Birch leave Ice Waters were made at the same time, fewer Elephant Ear pieces were produced and therefore demand is much greater. Do you have any idea how nice this would look with a bow under my Christmas Tree! Again, beautiful piece. Al Kohlman