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How to Collect Red Wing Salt Glaze Pottery

Production of Red Wing salt glaze pottery began in 1877 by German immigrants living in Red Wing, Mississippi. The salt glaze pottery was created through the process of adding rock salt to the kiln during firing, which formed a distinct rough orange skin texture that ranged in color from light tan to brown. Buying the early antique pottery in good condition, collectors can pay a hefty price. However, it is still being made today, so even if you do not have deep pockets to buy the antique version, you can start collecting the new antiques of tomorrow.

Things You'll Need

Antique books

Instructions

- 1
  Know what you are looking for when it comes to the early items of Red Wing salt glaze pottery. Research the types of pottery made between 1877 and 1900 by contacting the makers, experts and antique books. Note that less than a fifth of the early pottery made was marked, so you will need to know the specific characteristics of the pottery -- such as the hand-painted decorative motifs of birds or flowers -- to be able to tell whether you are buying and collecting the originals.
- 2
  Go to antique auctions to buy and collect pieces of the salt glaze pottery, but be prepared to pay a high price for originals in good condition.
- 3
  Browse around antique shops to see if you can find any items of pottery to collect. Ask the antique dealer if he knows how you can locate specific pieces that you might be seeking.
- 4
  Check out local antique fairs, garage or rummage sales and even charity stores, because you might get lucky and find a discolored piece of salt glaze pottery made by Red Wing potteries and get it cheap, as imperfect pieces were sold originally at a discounted rate.
- 5
  Buy new pieces of salt glaze pottery to collect from Red Wing potteries, as they are still going after re-opening in 1996. The new items may add to your overall collection and will become the future Red Wing antiques.

Antiques