ROCKINGHAM TURK'S HEAD CAKE MOLD American Pottery Circa 1865 - 1900

This is an absolutely gorgeous example of ROCKINGHAM!  Most likely stoneware because of the weight--more than two pounds 12 ounces, the TURK'S HEAD CAKE MOLD is covered in a heavy controlled spattering of deep rich brown glaze over a creamy butterscotch.  Measures 8” across by 2 ¾” high.

The piece is in good condition but does have a ¼” wide by ½” long chip at the top of the tube.  If you look closely at the chip, you can see that the clay is not yellow, but has a medium brown hue, another clue that it is stoneware not yellowware.  On the base, there are a few flat spots and not so bright spots from where the piece sat in the kiln.

About Rockingham: In the United States, is a primarily a yellowware pottery with a brown glaze that resembles tortoiseshell. It was made from 1840 to 1900 by many American potteries.  Colors range from butterscotch, caramel, light reddish brown, to dark reddish brown.  Often the glazed appears to be sponged or splattered on the pottery but it can often be found in a dark brown glaze completely covering piece. Following its introduction in 1840, it became a preferred pottery for the kitchen over redware because of its durability.