Hall China - Water Pitchers
Do You Collect Hall China Water Pitchers?
The retro look of Hall China is classic. In particular, the water pitchers appealed to me. Their sleek lines and range of colors give the collector a variety to search for.
They look marvelous displayed on open shelves in a kitchen. I show off mine across the cabinet tops. They add a nice punch of color that draws the eye upward.
I assembled my collection the hard way, attending flea markets and auctions across Maryland and Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 80s. It's a lot easier now. Take a look at the pretty vintage Hall China pitchers I've assembled here for you to browse.
Some Refrigerators Came with the Hall Water Pitcher Inside - as a bonus
Why the Nostalgia?
Part of the appeal for collectors of Hall China is the memories these bring up of the 1940s and 1950s. It's a link back to the days when housewives wearing aprons made pitchers of Kool-Aid or lemonade for a house full of active children.
Zazzle graphic available on post cards: Vintage Retro Women 50s Kitchen Full Refrigerator Post Cards by superiorwomen.
My Collection
More About My Collection
The 3 pitchers to the left of the basket of sunflowers are Nora pitchers (made by Hall China).
- They date from around 1955.
- They came with and without china lids.
- They were sold in Hall's general line and also available in a premium line for McCormick Tea in their lidless form.
- The colors commonly seen are green, light blue, yellow.
Collectors Encyclopedia of Hall China, 3rd Edition - by Margaret Whitmyer and Kenn Whitmyer
What Pieces Are Rare?
The rarity and difficulty of finding a specific Hall China pitcher can depend on several factors, including the design, the time period it was produced, and the limited production of a particular style or color. In general, the following types of Hall China pitchers are considered to be harder to find:
Early pieces: Hall China was founded in 1903, and the company's early pieces are highly sought after by collectors. Water pitchers produced in the first few decades of the company's existence are often the most difficult to find.
Limited edition pieces: Hall China has produced limited edition water pitchers to commemorate special events or to celebrate holidays. These limited edition pieces are often highly sought after by collectors and are therefore harder to find.
Discontinued styles and colors: Over the years, Hall China has discontinued certain styles and colors of water pitchers. These discontinued pieces are often harder to find and may command a premium price among collectors.
Rare glaze colors: Hall China was known for its wide range of glaze colors, and some of the rarest glaze colors are the hardest to find. For example, water pitchers produced in unique or one-of-a-kind glaze colors may be harder to find.
It's important to note that the rarity and difficulty of finding a specific Hall China pitcher can vary depending on several factors, including the collector's location and the availability of pieces on the market at any given time.
Real or Reproduction Hall?
- Real Or Repro ~ Identifying Fakes and Reproductions
Hall China has reproduced some styles. Read this article to learn how to tell the new from the old. It makes a difference when you find a piece of Hall at a yard sale or in an antique shop. You want the real thing.
Learn about the History of Hall China
The Early History of Hall China
Hall China is a company that has been producing ceramic kitchenware for over 100 years. The company was founded in 1903 by Robert Hall in East Liverpool, Ohio and quickly became known for producing high-quality ceramic pieces, including water pitchers.
Hall China's water pitchers were initially produced in the early 20th century and were popular for their bright, vibrant glazes and stylish designs. The company was known for its wide range of colors, including pastel shades, bold primary colors, and earthy hues. These water pitchers were often used in households and were also popular as dining room accessories in hotels and restaurants.
Read more about the history of Hall China. Here are some additional facts.
An Example of Hall China Included as a Giveaway with a Refrigerator Purchase
Look for Vintage Water Pitchers on eBay and Etsy
In the old days, collectors had to hunt through countless yard sales, attend auctions, and pay high prices in antique stores. Those sources are still around but you can streamline the process by checking out eBay and Etsy online.
I find eBay is like thousands of yard sales all pulled together for your viewing pleasure. Check out the selection there. Choose some auctions to watch. You might get a super good price. Best of luck to you in your bidding.
Etsy features crafts and vintage items so you will find Hall China pitchers and teapots there. The prices vary widely depending on the seller.
Hall China Collectors Group
- Hall China Collectors Group on Facebook
This group has 800 members so you'll see a lot of collections and special pieces. I find it a good place to share a picture of one I have and get it identified by the experienced collectors in the group.
Join Other Collectors to Share Information
Art Deco Styling - Hall China Pitcher
In the 1930s and 1940s, Hall China introduced a line of water pitchers in the Art Deco style, which was popular at the time. These pitchers had clean lines and geometric shapes and were often decorated with geometric patterns or abstract designs.
Isn't this one delightful! The art deco styling from the early part of the 1900s is very sleek and sculptural. I have one of these with a tiny chip where the lid goes. Sometimes I display it with flowers in it.
Video of Art Deco Pitcher
Do You Collect Hall China?
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Kinds of Hall Water Pitchers (not a complete listing)
Name of Pitcher
| Colors
| Height
| Description
|
---|---|---|---|
General
| blue
| 8 inches tall
| refrigerator ware, for Westinghouse circa 1940's era. Art deco styling, ridges around the upper half.
|
Ball
| lettuce green, marine blue, Chinese red, yellow,
| 7 1/2 inches tall
| Round like the Kook-Aid pitcher in ads
|
Nora
| light turquoise, yellow, pink, gray, dark green
| 8 1/4 inches tall
| Has lid, sleek, curved styling with 2 ridges that follow the curve below the handle.
|
Westinghouse
| cobalt blue
| Arrowhead shaped lid. Ridges around lower part of the pitcher
| |
GE
| |||
Riviera
| |||
Montgomery Ward
| blue
| Has lid. Base has vertical ridges
| |
Donut
| Round with hole through the center
|
Go to the bottom of this page to see examples of these.
Autumn Leaf Patterned Water Pitchers Made by Hall China Company - Find a bargain on eBay
I personally prefer the plain colors over the patterned ones for the water pitchers. This Autumn Leaf is quite popular though, so I'm including it here. Many collectors specialize in a certain pattern like Autumn leaf or a certain type of china (like I collect the water pitchers).
Then there are some insatiable collectors who buy every pieces they can afford and go to the Hall China annual convention to find even more.
The Past 70 Years at Hall China
In the mid-20th century, Hall China expanded its product line to include water pitchers in a variety of shapes and sizes. The company produced tall, cylindrical water pitchers, short, round water pitchers, and even rectangular water pitchers. Some of these pitchers were designed for specific uses, such as serving iced tea or lemonade, while others were intended for general use.
In recent years, Hall China has continued to produce water pitchers, though the company has shifted its focus to producing pieces for the hospitality industry. Today, Hall China's water pitchers are used in hotels and restaurants across the United States and are known for their durability and quality.
Overall, Hall China's water pitchers have a rich history and have been popular for their stylish designs, bright glazes, and durability.
Other Kitchen Collectibles
It's fun to decorate your kitchen with retro or vintage collectibles. Besides the pitchers, I have lots of Tindeco tins. I show a few of these in the kitchen, but the collection is too large to feature all of them.
One book to steer you in collecting these kind of vintage items is Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Check for the book on Amazon.
'50s, '60, & '70s Kitchen Collectibles
Another Kitchen Collectible for You to Collect
Besides Hall Pitchers, I Collect Spice Tins Too
- Showcasing My Spice Tin Collection
I collect vintage spice tins and display them in my breakfast room. Here's how I featured them in a display that gets many compliments. You can use the same shelving for other collectibles.
Example of Displaying Vintage Collectibles in the Kitchen
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2013 Virginia Allain