Welcome
How the museum came into existence
A brief history of Red Wing Pottery
Red Wing Salt Glaze Pottery
Red Wing Stoneware
Red Wing Art Pottery pieces
Red Wing Dinnerware Patterns
Cookie jars made by Red Wing
New pieces acquired by the museum
The museum mission of preserving history
How to contact the museum and schedule a tour
Map and directions to the museum
Interview with Louise Schleich
Red Wing Organizations
Salt Glaze Pottery
Salt glaze was one of the earliest forms of Red Wing Pottery, generally made between 1877- 1900. The majority of salt glaze pottery was hand turned and today pieces in good condition are among the most expensive. Salt glaze takes its name from the fact that rock salt was thrown into the kiln during the firing process, giving the pottery a rougher texture than the stoneware that would come later. The color is most often light tan, sometimes tending toward a light brown. Clay color is affected by kiln atmosphere as well as clay composition. An excess-oxygen or efficient, neutral flame in the kiln does not reduce the iron oxide which yields the brown or tan color. The uniformity of color and smoothness of salt glaze pottery was something the company strove for and those pieces that were discolored were often sold at discount prices.

With hand-turned stoneware there are certain characteristics that are typical of pottery from most the major companies of the period. One of the most reliable characteristics of hand turned pottery is the heavy, rounded rim, particularly evident on the crocks and jars. The shape of the “ear” handles is also a good indicator of what salt glaze pieces are Red Wing. A triangular strip of clay was applied by hand to each side just below the rim. It was bent in a slight arch and then the tapered ends made an abrupt curve downward. Such handles provided for a much better grip when lifting or moving a pottery piece than did a handle formed by a constant arc or one made from round rope or clay.

Salt glaze pottery also has the distinction of each piece being unique because of the hand applied cobalt blue decorations. Some of these intricate decorations included birds, leaves, tornados, targets, butterflies, and other designs. This is a true American folk art that was lost as more modern methods were introduced.


Red Wing Salt Glaze churns and jugs. Notice the cobalt blue flowers, leaves, targets, and other designs.

  

Because less than 20 percent of Red Wing salt glaze stoneware was ever marked, it’s important for collectors to be aware of characteristics that set Red Wing apart from the many other pottery manufacturers of the period. Like the pottery that would come after it, Red Wing salt glaze included crocks, butter churns, jugs, water jars and covers, which we know today as water coolers. The museum showcases a variety of salt glaze pieces, including the spectacular 15 gallon crock at right. The cobalt blue letters were stenciled on by hand and the piece is marked in front as Minnesota, from the Minnesota Stoneware Company.

Red Wing Salt Glaze Pottery is both beautiful and functional, true pieces of American folk art that lives on.