NEW JERSEY'S WINGENDER POTTERY

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In 1883, following the death of Haddonfield, New Jersey potter, Richard Snowden, Charles and William Wingender purchased and rebuilt the pottery, in what is now part of Camden, New Jersey. The brothers were German immigrants and brought with them the artisan training taught to them by generations of family back in Europe.

The pottery was a success and the brothers manufactured crocks, pitchers, tile, pipe and even some household ware. In 1904, the brothers purchased another property in Haddonfield and constructed a new improved pottery with adjacent dwellings for both families. 

Wingender stoneware examples are not marked with the names of the brothers, however, the stoneware made by them is quite identifiable. The Wingender's used symbolistic Germanic blue cobalt design on most of their stoneware. These designs are quite traceable back to European designs used in Germany for many years. The designs usually depict fruit or clouds an other natural features adapted by German artisans.

The Wingenders were most talented artisans and that was quite evident when we discovered this NORTH WIND WATER COOLER made by the brothers. 

Water coolers were used in daily life to keep a supply of cool fresh water on hand. This one once had a tap which fit into the NORTHWIND FACE there at the base on the front. It also came with a nicely styled lid which was dome shaped and matched the cooler's design.

The sides and back face of this cooler were full of stylized Germanic design work. Just extraordinary and incredibly well done sculptural work here. The coolers came in several sizes this one being a two gallon capacity as noted by the #2 to the right of the tap hole.

It is important to notice the elegant stylized writing on the face of the cooler, created by Charles Wingender. Charles was a master calligrapher of incredible talent who was able to create the letters by hand. We have noticed that this same lettering also appears on many Remmey pottery presentation examples, given the thought that Charles Wingender may have also worked for Richard Remmey when needed. One Wingender family member and I have mused that the brothers may have worked at Remmey before opening their pottery and kept a working relationship afterwards.

Below we added two stunning Remmey Pottery presentation pitchers, likely given as gifts at special occasions. We believe that Charles Wingender may have done the calligraphy on these and other examples we have seen from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

We found this crock outside of Philadelphia in the cellar of a collectors home. The owner told us that it had been in his cellar since before he could remember. He was in his late 80's and the home belonged to his family since 1871. It was the first …..and only....Wingender crock we have ever seen of this size. The crock measured out at 19" tall and weighed 26 pounds! Crocks like this were used mostly for fermentation. 

This small pint size pitcher was in a box lot at a country auction. We saw it and thought at first it was nothing special because the coloration threw us off. In this case, the usual grey toned stoneware and the rich blue cobalt glaze we usually see on Windgender stoneware, was replaced by this golden toned exterior and almost black cobalt design work. 

When stoneware is fired in the kiln, the temperature fluctuations, oxygen levels and organic nature of the glazes can change coloration. This was evident here with this small pitcher which came out a unique and beautiful color. 

It's unmistakably Wingender, with the form, the design work and size all very much like ones we have seen in our travels, but yet very different from any other we ever had seen.