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Redware

Redware

Regular price $75.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $75.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Ships to the lower 48.

Redware pottery has been part of American kitchens since the earliest days of the colonies, valued for its warmth, utility, and simple beauty. Our Redware collection, which includes an Onion Jar, Salt Pig, and Gravy Boat, carries forward the tradition with forms that feel both familiar and tied to early American craft.

Our collection is handmade by West Fork Pottery with wild clay dug near the studio in the Appalachian hills. The clay is rinsed, sifted, and wedged before it’s shaped on the wheel or in a mould. Each piece is then slip-dipped and wet-combed for luster and texture, resulting in vessels that feel dense, warm, and primitive, with subtle variations in tone and pattern.

This small run brings together three of our favorite kitchen pieces, used daily in our home and at Stissing House in Pine Plains, New York. The Onion Jar is modeled after a nineteenth-century original from our collection; we use it for flowers in summer, and in winter it holds onions and garlic; the punched holes let air to circulate and keep bulbs dry. The Salt Pig lives beside the stove, always within reach, the small nub makes it easy to carry from kitchen to table. The Gravy Boat, with its matching plate, holds a full quart—enough for a generous Thanksgiving table.

For a pre-Thanksgiving delivery, please place orders no later than Tuesday 11/18.

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Designed and made by West Fork Pottery in Fairmont, West Virginia.

Michael Ray and team continue a deeply rooted Appalachian pottery tradition, hand-digging, processing, and shaping local clay from Mountaineer Country. Each piece is then fired in his hand-built kiln, constructed from recycled 19th-century bricks.

Primitive and Functional

Beautiful things that are made to be used.” Clare de Boer, owner
  • made for use

    The hand-worked, iron-rich clay compacts into a tight, sturdy body during firing, giving each piece its characteristic heft and the durability required for daily cooking.

  • Wet-combed and Slip-Dipped

    Each piece is first wet-combed to create subtle ridges and texture, then dipped in a lighter ball-clay slip that settles into those lines and bonds during firing, giving the surface its warm, varied character.

materials

Appalachian Clay

care

Hand wash only and air dry thoroughly, as redware is naturally porous. Do not heat.

shipping

Ships directly via UPS ground.

  • Appalachian Clay

    The iron-rich clay fires to a tight, sturdy body, and its raw, local nature brings natural variation in tone and texture to each piece.

  • Easy to Care For

    A quick hand wash is all they need; redware ages well with simple, everyday use.

  • Free Shipping

    Ships Free via UPS Ground as a base option, or we offer next day air or 2nd day air for a charge.

Things to Know

These are handmade redware pieces, formed from Appalachian clay and finished with a natural slip rather than modern glassy glazes. Here are a few ways they may differ from the fully glazed ceramics you’re used to.

Redware is naturally porous

This family of redware is slip finished; preserving character rather than sealing it completely. Slip is simply liquid clay—an all-natural mixture applied before firing that bonds with the pot and adds color and smoothness, but doesn’t create a waterproof seal. Modern glazes, by contrast, melt into a glassy coating made from silica and other minerals that fully seal the surface. Slip keeps the finish true to early American redware—natural, tactile, and slightly porous. When using as a vase, place a glass of water inside the pot to feed flowers.

Each piece is slightly different

Because every piece is made by hand with wild clay, no two are exactly alike. The salt pig and onion jar are hand-turned on the wheel, while the gravy boat and plate are hand-pressed in molds. All are slip-dipped and wet-combed, a process that creates drips and tonal variation—part of the character of true redware.

Frequently Asked Questions

How durable is redware?

Redware is suitable for everyday use, but like all handmade ceramics it can chip if knocked against a hard surface. Handle with care.

Will the finish change over time?

Redware patinas — expect small shifts in surface tone through handling over time.

Is redware food-safe?

Yes. Redware is food-safe but porous, especially where no slip has been applied — do not pour liquids into any matte areas.

How do I use the Onion Jar as a vase?

Place a glass of water inside the jar to hold stems. The clay is intentionally left unglazed so it can breathe, helping onions and garlic stay dry.

How do I clean my redware?

Hand wash and dry your redware. Do not put it in the dishwasher.

Can I put the Gravy Boat in the microwave?

No. Redware will crack in the microwave or oven.

Why does my piece look slightly different from the photo?

Each piece is handmade from wild clay and varies naturally in tone, combing, and slip. No two are the same.