Sohn

Just a week or two ago, I unearthed the following well-designed covered casserole with the indigo back stamp that said--Made in the U.S.A. in a local thrift store.

No other identification marks to give a clue as to the designer or manufacturer. Well, low and behold, just this last weekend I found this current large covered dish just one state away with a similar, but different indigo backstamp that also read--Made in the U.S.A. Coincidence?

I have no information on either of these large white covered dishes, but I have developed what I think is a very strong belief that both of these dishes are product of the Hall China Company.

I would like to make my case for the current post being Ernest Sohn by Hall. BTW, if we can ID it as Sohn, it is also highly likely this is Hall product. Actually, prior to this, I had arrived at the conclusion that the other dish was Hall China before seeing this new dish--based on the backstamp and the quality of the product.

Observations about the current post:

1. Look at the size of the product. It is huge. This is a frequent characteristic of Sohn designs.

2. Notice the white ceramic body. It is very similar to other product by Hall China. Pay special attention to the foot.

Now the following is the foot of the Century teapot by Eva Zeisel and made by Hall China:

Looks the same to me.

3. Now notice the backstamp. Both this presentation and the presentation of the words "Made in U.S.A" on the other dish are quite similar if not identical to the bottom half of many Hall marks (see Lehner pp. 187-193). In fact, if you google on Hall backstamps, you can find some in a similar cobalt blue color.

4. Notice the brass lid on this piece. It is identical in shape and design to another lid designed by Sohn and posted on this website by nostalgiaholic:

The lids are identical, but this one is brass plated.

The one thing that doesn't seem to mesh is the brass wire stand with glass candle holder. It isn't typical for Sohn. This stand may have been a marriage.

Finally and circumstantially, I found this in a dealer's booth with a large set of other Sohn items. In my experience--particularly in thrifts--I tend to find items by the same designer.

So what do you think?