Red Wing Versus Wedgwood: Which Antique Crockery to Choose?

If you are looking to bring some antiques into your home, why not look at antique crockery? Crockery is a great way to combine decoration with utility. You need dishes, jugs, and crocks anyway; let your choice of these pieces reflect your personal style. These days, antiques are a popular way to furnish your dining room with one-of-a-kind pieces. In this article we will show you some new information about the antigue crockery you should pick.

When you go into an antique store, there are so many varieties from which to choose, some of dubious vintage. If you are unsure if the piece you are looking at is a genuine antique, it may be best to stick with tried and true brands. Two examples of crockery that have stood the test of time are Red Wing pottery and Wedgwood china.

Red Wing pottery comes from agrarian roots. It was first made by German farmers that settled in the lush Mississippi river valley in the 1860's. The home of Red Wing pottery is Red Wing, Minnesota, once a large grain shipping hub.

Today, visitors to Red Wing can tour the old pottery factory, purchase antique pieces of Red Wing pottery, or pick up some new dishes based on the old styles and techniques. There are three major distinctions that will let you know you are buying a genuine piece of Red Wing pottery. First, there is a red wing stamped on the side, an early trademark. Then, what little design there is should be a hand-drawn decoration or size written in cobalt blue.

The sizes are designated with numbers ranging from 2 to 60. Finally, Red Wing pottery is traditionally glazed with salt glaze, a simple glazing process that only requires one to add salt to kiln when it reaches its hottest temperature. Salt glaze gives the pottery a slightly pock-marked texture. Because it was created by farmers for farmers, Red Wing pottery is heavy and durable.

If you don't like the clunky stoneware look of Red Wing pottery, your crockery choice may be more in the Wedgwood camp. Wedgwood has been a household name for elegant dishware for the past 250 years. In 1759, Joseph Wedgwood set up his first workshop to create neo-classical pottery that was both durable and delicate.

Over the years he continued to innovate and affected big changes to the world of ceramics. Jasper Ware was his crowning glory. It is unglazed stoneware that is thin but hardy. It also takes color well, and so was perfect for the blue and white china patterns popular at the time.

Another innovation of Wedgwood was to keep his patterns available for decades after they were first designed. That meant that a broken plate could be replaced without spoiling the integrity of a dining set. Today, Wedgwood is still the byword for fine china. Regardless of your personal style, you should be able to find something that suits you within the Red Wing or Wedgwood lines. With these two brands you are assured quality and durable crockery for years to come.

Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is bunk beds .