Red Wing: Pottery
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Red Wing: Pottery | |
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THE success of a clay industry is large- ly dependent on the quality of its clay. Red Wing clay is not a fire-clay which will resist heat and not vitrify. It is a stoneware clay that will thoroughly vitrify and take a perfect glaze. Volumes have been written describing clays. We wish to refer to the following paragraph, page 394, of Heinrich Ries's treatise on Clays, published by Wiley & Sons, New York, Mr. Ries being a recognized authority on clays:  "The cretaceous beds are probably the most valua-ble clay resource of the State, but unfortunately the on- ly important occurrance occupies but a very limited area near Red Wing, where it has been worked for some years to make an excellent grade of stoneware." Following is the analysis of this Clay:
We find many clays that will vitrify at a maximum heat of 1800 degrees, which is too low to properly salt- glaze the product. It requires 2200 degrees Fahrenheit to apply a salt glaze. This is the stage at which our clay vitifies, and accounts for the perfect glaze on Red Wing pipe. We wish to add a few words regarding the glaze on sewer pipe. At first thought it might be considered un- important; but it is of the utmost importance. It is that which closes the pores of a pipe, keeping gases and acids from entering the body. This can be demon- strated by making an unglazed jar of best stoneware clay. Fill it with common salt water. In a short time it will ooze through the jar. Next, salt-glaze the jar. You will then find it will retain the brine indefinitely. We make it our aim to produce a pipe that has a glass-like body and good glaze that will not disintegrate when laid in sewer, but last for all time. |
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Minnesota Historical Society· 345 Kellogg Blvd. West, St. Paul, MN 55102-1906· 651.296.6126 Copyright © 1999 |
