Hull Potteries Mirror Brown Dinnerware Set
Ceramic table service and decorative stoneware • Hull Pottery Company, Crooksville, Ohio (American)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / American Studio Pottery Aesthetic
Medium & Technique
Glazed stoneware with high-gloss brown glaze and drip-glaze (frosted) decorative rims
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (approximately 1960-1985)
Dimensions & Format
Variable; dinner plates approx. 10 inches diameter, oval bowl approx. 9 inches length. Set format.
Subject Description
A collection of dinnerware consisting of stacked plates, an oval vegetable bowl, and mugs. The service features a deep, mirror-brown high-gloss finish accented by a creamy-white reactive 'foam' or 'drip' glaze around the rims.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; showing typical shelf wear and light surface scratching consistent with age and domestic use.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $300 for a representative partial set of 20-30 pieces
Auction Estimate
$80 - $150 (individual specialty pieces may vary)
Provenance History
Likely mass-produced for the domestic American market; currently situated in a retail or second-hand resale environment.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the shift in American ceramics toward heavy, durable stoneware during the Mid-Century period, reflecting a move away from delicate porcelain toward more organic, earthy 'Craft' aesthetics.
Notable Features
The signature of this specific line is the contrast between the dark mahogany body and the reactive foam-like decorative edging, which was achieved through secondary glazing.
Condition Issues
Minor surface abrasions, potential for utensil marks on center glazes, and small glaze pops or kiln variations common to mass-produced stoneware.
Conservation Recommendations
Hand wash to preserve glaze luster; avoid high-alkaline detergents and abrasive pads that may dull the mirror finish.