Question:
Greetings Larry Roschen! My name is Eddie Isaacs, and I too have a passion for salt glazed and Red Wing stoneware! I recently purchased a very special piece that I’d like your opinion on. It is a salt glazed stoneware teapot done in spongeware with a blue and brown combination, with solid brown to lid knob, the handle, the top and bottom rims, and the spout. The spout has V’s cut into both the left and the right sides. It weighs slightly over 2 pounds, and is in remarkable condition! On the inside of the lid there are the initials, L.H., under the glaze. Also wanted to mention that the spout and the handle, as well as the holes on the inside of pot are all applied by hand.

I have a great feeling about the rarity of this teapot. I have researched many books and online extensively and have not seen anything like this one! I purchased this teapot from an older lady who said she had obtained it from an estate in Michigan, but didn’t remember which city, as she buys antiques from all over the state! It resembles Red Wings’ spongeware pitchers quite a lot. Is this a lunch hour, or end of day piece? Included are several photos. Thank you much, Sincerely, Eddie

Answer: Well, you certainly have an interesting teapot. I’ve not seen another like it. But it’s definitely not Red Wing dinnerware so it is outside my area of expertise. I’m not aware of any stoneware piece made by Red Wing in this shape, and the colors don’t look quite right for Red Wing. Perhaps our stoneware expert will have a more useful opinion.

Larry

Eddie, the sponging on your teapot is very close to the sponging on the Red Wing pieces, however the background of the sponging is incorrect. Also, the other details tells me that this teapot is definitely not Red Wing. I have not seen this style of teapot before. Therefore, I cannot identify it’s maker. However, it is a wonderful looking piece of spongeware that would look gorgeous in any stoneware collection.

Al Kohlman