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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: shantichristo on February 01, 2014, 12:17:09 PM

Title: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: shantichristo on February 01, 2014, 12:17:09 PM
Hi,
Glad to be on the forum.  I generally observe from a distance and cruise in and out of topics of discussion, but have reached a point in my current research in which I have been unable to find an answer, so I have decided to submit a post and see if there are any people who might have some information on this item.  I am an avid researcher but have been unable to drag up any information on this Old Crock I came across a while back.  I run with a bunch of People in my local community who collect and deal with antiques, even crocks in particular, and they have not been able to identify, or have not seen anything like this Crock.
It is a large stone ware crock and lid with no observable marks at all.   It has a painted image that covers the front, although I do not believe it was original to the Crock, but would have been done at a later date, although the painting is still old in itself.  The image is painted on, and not fused with the glaze.  The writing on the painting says “Potassium Permanganate” and has a picture of a mortar and pestle.
The Crock is glazed inside and out on both the crock and lid.  It has two unique handles and a recessed lip that fits perfectly in the lid.  The uniqueness of this crock exists in its shape and size.  It is symmetrical without and flaring lips or bulbous contours.  It resembles a storage jar, but it is larger than anything I have seen.  The Crock is 16” to lip, & 11” in diameter.  I was able to fit 5 gallons of water in it.

If you could help me come up with any information pertaining to this crock, or have any ideas of where I can look, I would greatly appreciate it. I can also submit more photos if this will help.

Thank you
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: mart on February 01, 2014, 01:06:55 PM
I think its a druggists crock and likely would not be marked in any way as they were bought as utilitarian pieces !!  Whoa,, just noticed you said 5 gallons !! That's larger than they would have used !! Can`t remember what that stuff is used for !!  I think its a binder of some sort but its been a long time since chemistry class !!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: shantichristo on February 01, 2014, 01:14:47 PM
Great, thanks for the feedback.
Do you have any idea how old it is and what its value might be worth?

thank you
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: mart on February 01, 2014, 01:19:08 PM
Let me do some checking !!  Oh Forgot to say welcome to the forum. Glad you decided to join us !!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: shantichristo on February 01, 2014, 01:22:07 PM
Thank you,
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: mart on February 01, 2014, 01:36:10 PM
This stuff is used for everything from glues to fabric dyes !! So since yours is a large crock I would suspect that this is how it was kept in early industry !!  Saw something pertaining to glass making but didn`t read it !! I would say your crock is probably from around 1900 could be shortly before or after !! No way to really tell !!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: shantichristo on February 01, 2014, 01:40:02 PM
Thank you so much.
The information is extremely helpful and has made my first experience on the forum very pleasant.
I will be certain to frequent.

Do you have any idea on its value?
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: mart on February 01, 2014, 02:01:23 PM
http://www.antiques-stoneware.com/worth.html

My personal opinion is around $100. if in good condition and since it isn`t marked by the pottery but I would send a pic to the above  and see what they say !!
Furniture is more my area so get other opinions !!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: shantichristo on February 01, 2014, 02:04:04 PM
Thanks for everything!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: greenacres on February 01, 2014, 02:22:10 PM
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/antiques/msg0211562624373.html
Here's some info.
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: mart on February 01, 2014, 02:42:48 PM
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/antiques/msg0211562624373.html
Here's some info.

Isn`t that the same one ??  Think they have been trying to get info !! Saw two that sounded the same as what was posted here !!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: KC on February 01, 2014, 03:45:01 PM
This was used many ways in the late 1800's to early 1900's (canker sore medication, fungal infections of hands/feet, to purify water, etc...)and has been made popular again by survivor man!  (good for starting fires, water purification and writing in snow!)
http://www.intherabbithole.com/potassium-permanganate-the-most-useful-survival-chemical/ (http://www.intherabbithole.com/potassium-permanganate-the-most-useful-survival-chemical/)

I recollect it was/is used widely in the film industry as well (it STAINS EVERYTHING easily and is used to age backgrounds/sets to look old!)
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: mart on February 01, 2014, 04:35:40 PM
I found more uses for it than Carter has Little Liver Pills !!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: ghopper1924 on February 01, 2014, 11:23:36 PM
I dunno...the graphics don't look old, more like "ye olde."

But if this is truly ca. 1900, then be sure to treat the lid with special care, as lids tend to be worth more than the crocks they cover!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: cogar on February 02, 2014, 02:55:50 AM
Quote
Potassium permanganate is one of the principal chemicals used in the film and television industries to "age" props and set dressings. Its oxidising effects create "hundred year old" or "ancient" looks on hessian cloth, ropes, timber and glass.[17]
  From Wikipedia

Not a vintage jar
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: mart on February 02, 2014, 09:10:01 AM
I couldn`t find any recent crocks made in that style !!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: shantichristo on February 02, 2014, 09:34:44 AM
Thanks for all of the great feedback.
Not sure if it was implied that the Crock was Vintage/ antique or not from an earlier post,
But this is absolutely an antique pot.
The pot itself is much older than the painting.
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: mart on February 02, 2014, 11:29:18 AM
Many things were repurposed back then !!  Neat old crock anyway,,its much more interesting with the added label !! Otherwise would be just another crock without knowing what it was used for !!
Title: Re: Unusual! Help Identify Antique 5 gallon Crock Jar and Lid?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on February 03, 2014, 02:02:35 AM
Just a little word to the wise here- Make sure you store/display your crock where nothing can fall on top of it. I learned the hard way that if anything drops onto the lid of a crock, because they arch upward, the lids shatter easily if something falls from above. :-(