Question:
Hello Stoneware ecperts — I am in Indiana and need assistance in identifying a stoneware churn/jar. I do not feel it is from Red Wing, since I believe it is from 1830-1850. Though you all may have the facts that I am looking for on this piece. Can you help? I feel it is ca.1830-50 based upon its shape and size, 20-in tall. It is hand-thrown. The glazes are not indicative to Indiana, Illinois — my region, so this is why I am having trouble with identification. Is this a southern piece, perhaps of the Bechams of Georgia. Is this an alkaline glaze? It does not give me enough of a feel to be "turkey droppings" like the Minnesota stonewares have. This glaze is much "gloppier" in my opinion. Could this stoneware be from the Colorado region? There are two marks that are incredibly hard to read. They both are on the lower area down toward the base. They are as follows: a large hand-incised "??34" and then right below it is a hand-incised capital "B." The "B" is about one 1.25-in tall, and the numbers are about .5-in tall. They were not well incised as they are very shallow in the clay and thus did not fire well. Very hard to read… I have attached one photo, although will send additional ones in individual emails. I thank you so much for any and all information you can share. I have had persons here in Indiana relay a varied opinion as to its worth. I have heard $20,000 to $80,000 based upon the region it is from. What is your professional honest opinion as to its worth? Dianna

Answer: Dianna, I have looked at all the photos of your churn you sent. You are correct, it is not Red Wing. I don’t believe it is Eastern either, but could go along with a southern piece. No not knowing anything about this piece, I can only give you my opinion on worths. With no markings or decorations, I have a hard time believing a value in the range of $20,000 to $80,000. Stoneware that demands these kind of values, will usually have a makers mark or a decoration that will related to a maker that produced very few and outstanding pieces. Not to say that your churn in not a great piece, (in fact, the glaze and drippings are gorgeous). However, no identification marks or outstanding decorations makes even the estimate of $20,000 seem outrages. When someone gives you an estimate of this size, they would know who the potter was, what years the piece was most likely produced in and an idea of about how few pieces are in existence. I may be way out in left field, but am just trying to be honest with you. If you really want a better idea of value, you can place it on eBay with a high reserve. If your churn is $20,000 to $80,000 rare, I can guarantee that the collectors will find it. I would start the auction low, $100 or so in order to get the bids going. If the churn does not meet your (high) reserve, it will only cost you $3 to get a real world estimate. Hope this helps some. Al Kohlman