The pottery that's taking the country by storm... (from a 1938 Ransburg Pottery Advertisement)

{HISTORY}

A favorite since it was first introduced in the 1920s, Ransburg kitchenware tells the story of one man's creative determination to succeed through some of the worst economic climates of the 20th century.

The son of a Quaker farmer, Harper J. Ransburg's passion for creative arts was much more appealing to him than following in his father's footsteps. In the 1920s, he founded the Harper J Glass Company in Indiana. There he produced detailed, colorful glassware of fine quality. Although successful from the start, the glass company struggled to remain relevant once the Great Depression struck, so Harper changed gears and started making functional kitchen items out of stoneware.

This new design line featured heavy-duty storage jars, containers and bowls, each hand-decorated with colorfully painted designs. Like his original glass works, these became an immediate success. Durable, functional, and cheerful, this was exactly what home cooks needed to keep their kitchens festive during the dark days of the 1930s. Harper's stoneware line became so successful, he branched out into other kitchenware mediums over the next few decades which included metal, wicker, and eventually plastic.

Making everything from bread boxes to canisters, storage tins to trays, cake carriers, salt and pepper shakers, and much more, it was possible to outfit your entire kitchen in Ransburg designs. Harper grew a brand over the course of 50 years that was synonymous with stylish and functional kitchen design. Working there until his death in the early 1960s, Harper's business was purchased by Hamilton Cosco in 1967, who continued to produce items under the Ransburg name until the 1980s. 

This stoneware Ransburg crock dates to the 1930s -1940s era and features a handpainted red and orange floral bouquet (possibly tulips).  Most likely, it originally came with a matching lid, which it has since separated from, making it a container that is now ideal for storage. We love crocks in this tall size for large kitchen utensils or grill accessories that need corralling. They also make beautiful vases for long-stemmed flowers. The color arrangement for this crock in particular is lovely for all seasons of the year.

Not all Ransburg pieces are stamped on the bottom with a maker's mark. This piece is one that has only been marked with their USA stamp. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Handpainted floral design

- Colors include hazel green,  cardinal red, and robin's egg blue

- Unique shoulder-style handles

- Glazed interior

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition. The paint on some of the flowers has worn in spots, which is common in most vintage Ransburg pieces. The red-painted rim also bears some areas where the paint has rubbed away.  There are no chips or cracks. This crock is doubled glazed,  so it is shiny on both the interior and exterior. There is staining on the interior of the crock at bottom. Please see photos.  

{SIZE}

Measures 9" inches (height) x 6.5" inches (width shoulder to shoulder) with a 4-inch opening at top and weighs 4.9lbs.

{STYLE IDEA}

We just adore the colorful, weathered, handpainted aesthetic of Ransburg pottery pieces. Find more in the shop here.