Vessels for holding water can vary greatly in value
Canteens, pitchers, jugs, carafes, tumblers, coolers and even hollow gourds are just a few of the many containers that can be used to hold water.
Today in What's It Worth? we examine the history and value of two relatively common forms -- a stoneware water cooler and a semi-porcelain bowl and pitcher set.
Q. We got this three-part water cooler from in-laws at least 30 years ago.
There are no marks, but it seems in very good condition. The story is that it was from a railroad depot somewhere in Texas and dates to 1900; perhaps 1910. What can you tell us? -- Ray in Pasco
A. Your stoneware water cooler is a terrific example of spatterware decoration and is valuable. Certainly American made, it is not surprising there are no marks.
One hundred years ago, there were many small makers of stoneware scattered across the country. A lot of them were in the South, so there's no reason this piece couldn't have been made in Texas.
Most of those firms are unknown today. Even kilns that produced high-quality, hand-decorated items like this 20-inch-tall cooler remain anonymous.
The decoration is really nice, not quite in the "great" category but certainly way above average. The hand-applied spatterware (it would be called "spongeware" in the British Isles and Europe) was done by patting on the color with a common sponge.
Today, many collectors would consider the blue and orange hand-painted decoration on this piece of stoneware puts it in the field of American folk art. And that designation can lead to higher value.
This three-part cooler is in terrific condition and is complete. As breakage was common, many times one will find just one or two of the component pieces to these types of stoneware sets.
Stoneware's combination of a specific type of clay (non-refractory, which is not heat resistant) and high firing temperatures (almost 2,200 degrees) produce a ware that is nonporous. It has an almost glasslike surface. Perfect for holding water.
At a well-advertised auction sale in an appropriate market, this cooler would be estimated between $600 and $1,000.
Q. Here are photos of my Menelik pitcher and basin set. I don't know if either have any value, but I'd like to know. Also, can you tell from the mark who the maker was? -- Barb in Benton City
A. We don't know who made this set, although it is undoubtedly American and more than likely from the late 19th or early 20th century.
Menelik seems to be the name of the floral pattern; our research found no company by that name. It was not unusual for various pieces of a set of semi-porcelain to have varying marks. Some might have the company name, some the company name and the pattern and others just the pattern.
It is "semi-porcelain," which means it was fired at lower kiln temperatures than true porcelain. A quick way to tell the difference is holding the piece up to a strong light.
Porcelain is quite translucent; you can see through it easily but not clearly. Semi-porcelain is either not translucent at all or, if it is, it shows only the slightest light coming through.
Semi-porcelain is often called ironstone and many pieces are labeled as such.
Invented in England's Staffordshire potteries district just at the beginning of the 1800s, semi-porcelain items filled the need for a mass produced (read "cheap") ware designed for sale to the general public.
We have seen pieces marked "Menelik" in bowl and pitchers sets like this one and also other forms such as chamberpots.
Twenty years ago, this pair would have sold in the $150 to $200 range. As with many collectible areas, values have softened and today's price would be more like $75 to $125.
-- Terry K. Maurer, Tri-Cities personal property appraiser, is a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America. For possible use in a future column, direct questions on your antiques and collectibles to What's It Worth? by email to tchwhatsitworth@gmail.com.
This story was originally published September 21, 2014 at 6:35 AM with the headline "Vessels for holding water can vary greatly in value."