The Nelson McCoy Sanitary Stoneware Company was formed in 1910 and made pottery in Roseville, Ohio for the next 8 or so years. The area surrounding Roseville, Ohio was rich in natural clay deposits, and many American pottery companies headquartered here as a result. The land was given to the McCoy family free of charge with the idea that pottery manufacturing would bring employment, and economic activity to the area. The 1930’s marked a transition from utilitarian wares to decorative items due to consumer demand. The most collectable items were produced during the “Blossom Era” of the 1940’s.

Our favorite McCoy patterns include the Basketweave in all the colors, the Quilted Jardiniere, the Bamboo Planter, and ALLLL of the animals especially the frogs and turtles. In our opinion, the best color to collect is hands down bottle green followed by white, then any shade of blue.

Red Wing pottery refers to the American stoneware company started in Red Wing, MN in 1861. Through several transitions and mergers, the company finally settled on the name Red Wing Potteries in 1936 and was finally referred to as Red Wing Stoneware Company which closed its doors in 2019. Over its many years in existence, Red Wing produced stoneware, pottery, and dinnerware and is probably best known for its quintessential crocks which have stood the test of time.

Early crock designs were finished with a salt glaze featuring a primitive cobalt blue signature design. These pieces are hard to find in good condition and are highly valuable. In 1896, salt glazes were replaced with a creamy, zinc glaze and stamped designs of either an elephant ear or birch leaf. Often found in Tonkadale’s crock collection are crocks produced after 1906 which feature the classic “red wing” stamp.

Stoneware crocks were originally used to keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold. These days, they are used in the home as décor and most recently as indoor plant housing. Floor plants look amazing in 5-8 gal crocks. Simply place a saucer on the inside and drop in your favorite fiddle leaf fig in its grower pot or plastic insert.

Of special interest to plant parents are the colorful, decorative potteries made mid-century. Speckled pink, blue, and brown are our favorite colors to collect. The most exciting pieces to find are the vases with metal handles, the vertical ridge pattern, and any of the leaf border jardinieres.

Ozark pottery refers to several mid-century American pottery makers that artificially colored clay then turned pieces with marbleized swirls on the potter’s wheel. Makers include Ozark, Niloak, Camark, and Ouachita. Artists and makers made good money selling their wares on the roadways and gas stations along Route 66 in the Ozarks during the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. This type of pottery is generally quite heavy and is finished without an exterior glaze.

Always elusive, the hunt is real when searching out the Ozarks.

Beloved by collectors of all ages, Roseville pottery stands the test of time with its brilliant colors and floral patterns. The Roseville Pottery Company was founded in 1890 and like many other American potteries started producing simple, utilitarian pots and stoneware. 10 years later they stared producing the first high-quality art pottery line and continued through 1954.

Once you start, you really can’t stop! In someone’s opinion (mine), the fuchsia pattern which was produced in 1938 and is available in three colors – brown, green, and blue – is the absolute pinnacle of pottery perfection. The Fuchsia style is Realistic with Elements of Art Deco and is available in 38-40 shapes. Guess who has 18?!

Art deco patterns such as Futura, Artcraft, and Artwood are among the most highly collectable and hard to find. Each pattern was produced in standard colors and in multiple shapes. At Tonkadale, we currently have a selection of Apple Blossom (1949), Clematis (1944), Freesia (1945), Ixia (1937), Iris (1939), Foxglove (1942), Magnolia (1943), and Poppy (1938).

When stocking the vintage cabinet with a new haul, we love hearing the whispers and comments of oncoming customers – “That reminds me of my grandma.”, “These can’t all be real.”, “My mother collected that pattern.”

Reminiscent of family members and days gone by, vintage finds are one-of-a-kind treasures to admire, to collect, and to pass on.

Happy Hunting!