If you in any way have been interested in antiques and vintage home décor, it is not long before you run into stoneware crocks.

Most are surprised to find out how much they cost and then are surprised again to find how little others cost.

So how do you tell the difference between a valuable crock and an ordinary run of the mill crock?

As with almost all things dealing with money, it comes down to supply and demand.

Collectible crocks are much more in demand and the rarer (the supply) the more costly you will find it.

So let’s begin with what these things are.

They are the true Americana kitchen collectible.

Before there was electric refrigeration, many households used crocks to store food supplies and even drinks.

In their proper state, they are meant to be water tight with a seal of ceramic and glaze.

Some crocks are signed and/or denoted with the number which indicates its size.

There are some well known collectible crocks that are recognized by their logos (Red Wing, Blue Crown).  Check out this article by Hunker, about stoneware stamps.

Other’s have the origin of the company name and or the city or town from which it was made.

Others are ornately decorated with the signature cobalt blue but without a name or company in which to identify.

Age and quality definitely can add or detract from the value of a crock.

In the end, an object is worth what one is willing to pay for it and for collector’s this can mean big money for the object of their desires.

We have used them lightly to house dried plants.

They have also made great use as a place hold for kitchen utensil.

Their jobs may have changed but decades later they still are found useful in the kitchen while still looking pretty.

 

We try to curate a collection of crocks that would make a great addition to your own home decor.