Today found Large Glazed Redware Milk pan, and a cobalt lip stoneware ale

[downeastdigger]

Diving in a river today, was digging deep, about a foot down into the sandy river bottom, and came across the edge of this beautiful big bowl (milk pan). I knew it was huge, so I'd dig out a few inches down at a time, thinking for sure as some point I'd find the sharp broken edge. It took me a half hour to get it out, and I couldn't believe it was whole. Its chipped at one spot on the rim, but I think thats pretty easy to patch up for display.

 

[downeastdigger]

Sorry about the multiple photos there :] The pan is 15 inches across, and has an unbelievable glaze on the inside of the bowl. The outside is quite pitted (redware), but the inside is smooth. I've grown to love glazed redware and early pottery like this.

 

[downeastdigger]

I was also down deep near the same spot and got this great stoneware ale with cobalt blob lip. What a great surprise, I thought it was a modern Colt 40oz beer bottle, but as I slid it out of the muck I could feel it's weight. It has the name Dempsey on it.

 

[downeastdigger]

Those plain black glass ales are from prior digs. This pic shows the debossing. Got about a dozen common bottles and some cool shards as well. Great fun, cant wait to get back out there when I can.All for now Happy diggingBram

 

[Macaco]

Is it heavy? Any idea of the original use for it? Steve

 

[sandchip]

What a great day. That milk pan's survival is miraculous.

 

[downeastdigger]

Thanks Jimbo and Steve,The big redware piece is a milk pan. I guess they were used for heating milk on a wide stove, so it could heat it up without scalding it. Maybe for the cheese making process? or maybe for chocolate Jello pudding :]

 

[RED Matthews]

Hello downeastdigger, My Mom used to use metal and ceramic pans like that to make milk products with. She would skim off cream and let the milk sour some and then put it in a clothe bag and hang it on the clothes line out doors to drain - and become cottage cheese. We were just poor fruit farmers, but I had a wonderful respect for every thing she taught me about making food our of what might otherwise be thrown away. Neat dish you got. RED M.

 

[cowseatmaize]

Nice info Red.I'll bet any of the "Handy Tips" books for a more natural way of living all came from times of need or just because there wasn't electricity, gas engines and massive chemical plants to make our lives easier. I've read a few and 75% of the info I could say "my grandmother did that", the other 25% was interesting to learn. They all work just as well if not better but they can make it more expensive now. I do on occasion make my own laundry soap and I still love reading about it. Where was I, oh, nice pet tiger milk saucer.[]

 

[2find4me]

Nice display, I really like the Stoneware. Is that a cannonball beside Milk Pan?