Question:

I recently acquired a cookie jar that looks similar to a Red Wing pattern, but I’m not sure if it is a Red Wing or not. Its in perfect condition and I also have the lid to it. Any information and value on this piece would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer:

The cookie jar was made by Red Wing but isn’t from a dinnerware pattern.  In the early 1940s Red Wing introduced a line of cookie jars, munch (squat) jars and salad bowls.  Each piece was available in three different shapes, and each shape was available in three colors (white, brown and green).  A July 1942 brochure named this line “Hand Painted Pottery” and the three shapes were Incised Peasant, Rose and Fruit.  The photo shows an Incised Peasant cookie jar in white.  All of these items were hand painted, but the colors were “cold painted” over the glaze rather than fired under the glaze like most Red Wing products.  Over time and with repeated cleanings these colors tend to wash off. All of the color is missing on this jar. An Incised Peasant cookie jar complete with cover with most of the paint intact and no chips or cracks is worth $30-40.  The missing paint would reduce the value by half or more.

Larry