Question:
Hello, I have a question about this 6 gallon salt glaze jug. This jug seem really unique to mean. It is huge first of all. I was wondering though it is Red wing, and how much it might be worth. It has the cobalt decoration on it, and I believe it has the unique thumb indention on the back of the handle. It has orange peel on the top. It stands 19" tall and 11 1/2" wide on the bottom. If you could help me out I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Answer: I believe your jug was manufactured in Ohio. First the way the handle is attached is incorrect compared to the Red Wing handles you see attached on their jugs. However the thing that strikes me with your jug being Ohio is that way the number 6 continues on to the decoration with the line of cobalt. I had two beehive jugs that were both 6 gallon beehives that came from Ohio and both of the 6′s continued onto the decoration exactly like yours. I also had a 3 gallon salt glaze beehive which came from Ohio and again the potter ran the cobalt from the letter 3 onto the decoration. The other area you want to look at is the glaze. Ohio pieces in most cases will have small specks of brown in the glaze where Red Wing pieces are an even creamy brown. Your jug is a ways back in the photo for me to tell if there are specks in the glaze, but from what I can tell, it looks like there is some. Either way a very nice piece of Salt Glaze. Al Kohlman