Question:
Hello, My wife and I are new to collecting pottery but have both grown up around antiques. We recently purchased a 5 gallon red wing union stoneware crock(handle patent date 1915). Price was $20 but is immaterial to my question because we are not selling this piece. The crock was in a local unheated flea market building and was extremely dirty. Being the type that likes to clean, I decided to buy. After a lot of scrubbing off grease with concentrated laundry detergent and using vinegar for rust stains from the handles, I found hairline cracks. They appear as two 2"x 3" oblongs on the front side at the bottom below the red wing union logo(sorry I don’t as yet have a digital camera). Also a crack goes halfway across the bottom. Strangely the crock does not leak after a week of being filled with water. This might sound odd but I really wanted to use this crock to make sauerkraut(I assume Red wing could supply a new lid if I needed one). I believe in using American antiques as much as possible and would prefer to not make this a display piece. I’m sorry to say that these days a quality American made product is usually an antique. Why Americans do not buy their own products is an issue I probably shouldn’t belabor.
Recommended repair on your FAQ’s is CA(cyanoacrylate aka super glue). Many years ago I believe sodium silicate(water glass) could be used to repair glass and pottery.
Would any of the above methods be food safe? And if I have to use this for display only is there a way to reduce the noticeability of the cracks? Thank You, I hope this question(s) was not too long. Wayne
Hi Al I have a 4 gal jug with some unusual traits. First, it looks like it was double glazed (bottom then top) before the marking were put on and the rim between the body and the neck/shouder is glazed. The glaze at the top is a little lighter and you can see it all the way around the jug about where the 4 is stamped. Also,it has a ring cut in the neck about 1/2" from the top. Other than that in great condition. Anything you can tell me about it and the price? Thanks Dawn
This piece has been in my family for many years, I was told by my Grandmother that is a noon-hour piece made by employees during their noon hour. Is this true and what would the value be? Emma
Can you tell me about this piece? Is it authentic, and does it have value? It is a jug that is 17 inches high and 12" inches in diameter. Thanks.
We found this under a chair and half full of marbles as you can see, in my significant other’s parents home. What can you tell us about it? Anything would be appreciated. Mary Lou
Could you tell me the approximate age and value of the two crocks pictured? One is a #6 with handles and the other is a #3. No visable cracks or chips. (The large one has "patented Dec 21, 1915.) Thank you. Sandi
I have this #5 crock with what looks like a bee on it. I has no cracks or chips, but one of the handles has been broken off and glued back on. What can you tell me about this crock and what it might be worth. Thank you Ronnie