Same here...I keep the old canning jars if they are unique. I have some of the Mom's and Atlas jars too. My mom gave me some that have squares or diagonal designs all around the jar with a smooth place for a label. I used to can in them but now they are proudly displayed with the rest of the "retired" jars. My mom also had some boxes of very old lids of various sizes. They are the flat lid that requires a ring. All unopened!!! Those are also displayed. Wish I had the rings to match the odd sized lids. She also gave me some old canning books that date back to the 1940's. I know those are fairly common but since they were my Mom's, they are special to me.

Supply as much info as you can on your observations, because although the pictures give us a clear idea on its style, it doesn't really on condition or size. Crazing due to age should be pretty apparent over the whole piece, but temperature differentials are a typical cause of crazing on newer products. If the crazing is mostly internal it might indicate very hot or cold liquids were held inside it. The old pottery industry in the U.S. were located in four or five key states who had appropriate clay deposits for production of stoneware. If you really think this is an older piece, your general area might give you a clue as to what potteries were in operation in those areas and what style ware they made.

Thanks everyone!I had no idea....I just really liked how they looked! This store is full of nice vintage lamps.I wonder what other treasures are there? Forgot to add, I'm the one that also bought that oak barrel table and chair set. They are being reupholstered now and I'll post pics when they are done. Along with my vintage Castiglioni Arco Lamp that I inherited from my mom (that she named George for reasons unknown to me), my basement is turning into quite the swanky pad. Haha! Here is a link that might be useful: Oak Barrel thread This post was edited by geokid on Wed, Nov 28, 12 at 22:36

Too big for a butter bell. I'd have bought that in a second, it's very nice. I have a bunch of that blue/brown pottery serving pieces, most from student sales at local pottery classes. I think most date to about 1980, plus minus 5 years.