Treasures in your attic: Is this Red Wing vase valuable?

Q. The vase in the enclosed pictures has been in my possession for a long time. Unfortunately, I cannot remember how or when I obtained it. It is 10 inches tall and is marked “Red Wing” on the bottom with the number 784. The color is a lovely light shade of green, and the vase is in perfect condition. My friend tells me it is an antique. When was it made and what is its value?

A. In the early 1860s, clay suitable for making pottery was discovered near Red Wing, Minn., by German immigrant Joseph Paul. Paul is said to have made some stoneware pots from the clay, but he did not stay very long in Red Wing.

In 1868, another venture making stoneware was started by David Hallem, but this too was rather short-lived. Then in 1877 (or 1878 according to one source), local investors organized the Red Wing Stoneware Company, and Hallem became its manager.

This firm was very successful and became one of the leading manufacturers of a wide variety of salt-glazed and stoneware items that included crocks, water coolers, bowls, jars, jugs and so forth. We will not belabor the history to Red Wing, but will skip to 1929 when the demand for stoneware had diminished and the company was looking for other types of pottery to produce to stay in business.

They chose to start making glazed “art pottery” or as many collectors would term it “commercial art wares.” This means that the pieces Red Wing made were for mass consumption using molds (not handmade), and had little or no hand decoration.

It should be mentioned that Red Wing's first art wares actually originated in 1906 and were called “Brushed Ware.” This involved applying a colored stain to the outside surface and then “brushing” it away to reveal the rough pottery surface underneath. They usually had designs of leaves, landscapes, cherubs, animals and geometrics.

Perhaps the most important Red Wing art pottery line was called “Nokomis,” and involved a matte-finished multicolored glaze that usually included shades of tan, gray, copper and green. Its production had stopped by 1934 due either to difficulties producing the glaze or to lack of interest from the public (one pottery journal sneeringly said that the glaze resembled the “ ... weather beaten face of Hiawatha's grandmother,” who was named “Nokomis” in Longfellow's famous poem).

In 1932, Red Wing began making pieces marked “Rumrill” and not “Red Wing.” These were wares designed by George Rumrill. The line was made at Red Wing until 1937. Then “Rumrill” was made by other companies until Rumrill's death in 1942.

As for the lovely vase in today's question, its style number is 784, but this number is more often found on an ashtray Red Wing manufactured beginning about 1962. In any event, this piece is a vase and was probably made during the late 1930s or perhaps 1940s, and no, it is not an antique — yet.

It is a good size, and has nice “Art Moderne” decoration. The glaze is soft and appealing and this piece should be valued for insurance replacement purposes in the $85 to $110 range (the style number 784 ashtray is only worth around $20 to $25).

Ÿ Contact Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson at Treasures in Your Attic, P.O. Box 18350, Knoxville, TN 37928.