Question:
I am trying to find any information I can on Beesting Crocks…who made it, history of, etc. Do you have any information on beesting crocks?

Answer: I hear the term Bee-sting marked salt glazed crocks quite often. What many people refer to as Bee-sting marked crocks a Red Wing collector would call them either target marked or lazy eight target marked decorations. This type of decoration on salt glazed crocks was used my many if not all of the midwestern stoneware companies along with some of the eastern stoneware manufacturers. The Bee-sting, Target or Lazy Eight Target marked decoration is the most seen decoration found on salt glazed crocks. It is also the least desired decoration collected by the salt glazed collectors because of the large numbers found and simplicity of the decoration. As stoneware manufacturers sales grew, they needed to speed production in order to meet the demand of the customers. Decorations such as flowers, leaves, butterflies and birds took to much time to apply. With a few strokes a good potter could produce the Bee-sting quite quickly and therefore produce more ware to meet the demands of the consumer. With the Red Wing Stoneware Company, the use of salt glazed ended around 1895 and zinc glazed stoneware took over. It was shortly after this that decorations were applied with a stamp rather than hand drawn by the potter. This again increased production, which increased the profits of the company. Al Kohlman