Examples included salted meats, butter, jelly, grain, and pickled vegetables. Historical UsesĪntique stoneware crocks often stored foods and beverages. In fact, this utilitarian crockery has taken up residence in countless American kitchens over the generations. Uses of Antique CrocksĪntique stoneware crocks have enjoyed many varied uses. Blue, brown, and purple were common color options. Although the glaze is generally colorless, coloring the salt produced a glaze with a colorful effect. The salt’s sodium reacted with the clay’s silica to create a glassy coating. During the high-temperature firing sequence, he tossed salt into the kiln to create the glazing effect on the crock. These effects might give the crock more decorative value. Very old crocks feature etched designs filled in with a blue-toned substance.Īlthough simple lines and patterns are common in early-era pieces, early 1900s crocks have just a touch of art deco styling. A hand-painted cobalt blue design is a common decorative element. Birds, butterflies, dragonflies, animals, and trees were also popular motifs. Artisans often painted floral designs on early crocks. Following the crock’s formation, the artisan applied blue decorative effects to the stoneware vessel. Cobalt Blue DesignsĪn artisan was responsible for hand-making each antique crock. Hand-painted embellishments include flowers, animals, and specific motifs or patterns. Under the glassy finish, the crock features hand-drawn or stenciled letters and numbers. Each stoneware crock displays a shiny-looking surface that results from the salt glazing process. Antique stoneware crocks generally feature a gray or brown salt glaze with cobalt blue decorations.Īntique crocks have a distinctive appearance. Because the definition is so vague, stoneware can be sourced from numerous clays and can appear in diverse colors and textures.
Stoneware describes a clay that has a waterproof rating of under two percent. Stoneware Crock Construction and Appearance Several New England states, along with Ohio, jumped on the stoneware bandwagon circa the late 19th century.By the early 20th century, many American households owned stoneware crocks. Eventually, cost and market competition spurred American potters to fire up their kilns.ĭuring the early 19th century, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania produced most stoneware pottery in the United States. Stoneware crocks appear to have originally come from France.Through the American Revolutionary War, England and Germany were the main importers of stoneware crocks. History of Antique CrocksĮarthenware pots, crocks, and jars have a long and colorful history.
Cobalt blue crocs how to#
Learn how to determine an antique crock’s value, how to tell an original stoneware crock from a reproduction, and where to find antique crocks for your home. Estate sale shoppers love to discover these sturdy containers that were a mainstay of kitchens from the 1700s through the early 20th century. Antique stoneware crocks are an intriguing slice of Americana.
0 kommentar(er)
