Question:
Hi, I have a number of Red Wing pieces, but the small spongeware bowl has given me the most difficulties in identifying, probably because it is so common that it isn’t sold on the Internet. It is a 4" high bowl with all-over the outside medium-dark blue spongeware on the tan background. The bowl looks most vertical with a flared out rim, but actually does slightly widen from 4.5" at the base to 5" just below the top, with the flared rim bringing it to just over 6" wide. There are no panels–it is mostly smooth on the outside to the top, with the inside showing slight circular bands. The bottom mark, in blue, has a central wing and the circular Red Wing Stoneware Co. around the top and Red Wing, MN around the bottom of the circle. I occasionally see bowls with red and tan sponge but not the plainer blue on tan. Is this because it is not collectible? Thanks for your enlightenment. Cathy

Answer: Cathy, your 4 inch bowl is a reproduction piece. The vintage Red Wing stoneware bowls never used a wing in their ovals. You could send me a photo which would better help me out, but from what I have read, this is my best guess. Photos can be emailed to our director at director@redwingcollectors.org. Al Kohlman