Timaru Potteries Potatoe Crock

This bin has been in regular use since I bought it a few years back.
There is a tendency towards condensation that I could probably fix by keeping the spuds in a sack.
It measures 260mm to the rim and 220mm in diameter at the rim.
The lid is intact. (Many get broken.)
There are some strange reflections.

Does it have a stamp Jeremy?
I've seen quite a few Timaru Potteries lidded pots in that shape and colour ....?
They are really lovely

Here is a pic from the TePapa collection of a Timaru Potteries bread crock... http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/imagepopup.aspx?width=640&height=640&irn=126983&mode=zoom&title=Bread+crock&ack=

Well, I was told it was a tater bin, and I will keep using it as such.
(Bread needs to be kept in the frig in Whangarei or it grows mould.)

The actual colour seems to be midway between my photo and the Te Papa one.

I looked and did not see any marks.
Bottom is flat, unglazed.
It was sold as Temuka.

The apparent variation in shape is partly attributable to the camera position.
The base diameter is 190mm, just 30mm less than the top, even though it looks relatively smaller from the pic.

Thanks for the photo and confirmation of manufacturer.

You can use a lidded crock for whatever you like
I believe that these were made in the 1940's and they seem to have survived well.
The glaze seems to vary from darker to lighter mottled green.

I believe the crock pictured was made at Temuka rather than Timaru , as stated on the Te Papa reference and picture. I have one with the lid colour slightly darker than the body and no marks or back stamp. The same mottled green colour and a brown & cream version was also used for electric jugs in the 40's. There were several sizes as I recall and were very common in the 1940's. I grew up in Sth Canterbury and my father was born at Kakahu in 1900.

The Clay source is from Kakahu and is still used by NZ Insulators and Temuka Pottery.

The same pottery made a very big order of small teapots during the 2nd War for Eastern
High Command in India 1 or 2 cup size I think.

They originally were set up by NEECO ( National Electric Engineeering Co) to make electrical insulators.

Timaru Potteries used a different clay source for their body with a grey appearance in contrast to the paler cream of the Temuka body. In addition Timaru did back stamp their products generally with an Oval black stamp containing the copy 'Stour Ware made by Timaru Potteries', the sample I have also has the numeral 7 on the side, 187mm h x 195dia . The lid is missing. My notes say these were made in various sizes from 1939 to 1959.

This photo is my attempt to show the different body colours between Temuka and Timaru pots

Saw an auction for one of these with the Timaru Potteries stamp -
http://www.trademe.co.nz/pottery-glass/porcelain-pottery/other-nz-manufacturers/auction-451171575.htm

I will edit the title to Timaru now that there is a stamped example.

The Eagle Eye of Ev strikes again.
So much for all my theory about clay type etc. wrong
Not only did you spot the TM example but the site below confirms that they made the green mottled thrown crocks.
Never listen to folk lore it may be just that.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nzlscant/timaru_potteries.htm

That link is superb for Timaru Potteries history Jonno ..... Thank you!!

I had seen a stamped Timaru Potteries crock several years ago Jonno.
Just had to wait until another came along for you to see - and it turned up today

Hi, I was just reading with interest the posts re temuka/ timaru pottery. I would vouch for your observations regarding different clays Jonno, I have seen enough of the timaru stuff now to be able to recognise the clay used. I found an old barrel at the dump years ago, minus it's base, but it is so obviously Timaru that I brought it home where it now resides in my broken pottery garden with a succulent growing in it. I had a look at the Oamaru museum a few years ago at their Temuka collection and they were also selling a book about Timaru Pottery by Davina Davis. I bought this book and have found it useful in identifying the different glazes used, and for marks used. Very interesting. I love the timaru pottery and have several pieces, including hot water bottles, jars and a blue casserole dish which I need a lid for.

Thanks for your comments Thelma re clay types.
I found it enlightening to discover that Timaru used the same green mottled glaze as Temuka did on their electric hot water jugs but I guess that is not too strange seeing how close to one another they were.