Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
A classic two-tone stoneware bean pot featuring a rich Albany-style brown slip glaze on the upper half and a creamy Bristol glaze below. The underside bears the iconic impressed 'Maple Leaf' mark, a symbol of the 'Maple City' of Monmouth, along with the mold number 0608.
Story
Monmouth, Illinois, earned the nickname 'Maple City' for its lush trees, a fact the local pottery celebrated by stamping every piece with a leaf. In 1906, seven regional potteries merged to form Western Stoneware, keeping this beloved logo as a mark of quality for American kitchens.
Maker / Origin
The Western Stoneware Company was formed in 1906 from a massive merger of seven Midwestern potteries, including the famous Monmouth Pottery Co. They became a titan of American industry, producing everything from utilitarian crocks to art pottery designed by Eva Zeisel.
Condition & Value
The pot appears to be in very good vintage condition with a strong, legible mark. There is minor shelf wear on the unglazed foot rim and small glaze pops typical of early 20th-century stoneware. No major cracks or large chips are visible in the photos. Excellent condition commands a premium.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.