I found a mystery piece today...

[Neecy]

I went to an estate sale this morning and noticed a small ceramic covered roaster. It reminded me of one my German grandmother had - a little too small for a chicken, but she used it for rabbit. I turned it over and indeed it was a German piece - Waechtersbach. It was in perfect condition, no chips or cracks, and it was only three bucks. I'd guess it's between 3 and 4 quarts.

I know that Waechtersbach makes dinnerware, but I wasn't familiar with their bakeware. I've googled for the last hour and can't find a similar piece, even on their site. Is anyone familiar with this line? I'm trying to determine a date for the piece.

Here are a few photos - the roaster is actually a dark blue, came out very light due to my flash:

[NMDemDist2]

1. it's beautiful! and I bet it would be perfect for the NYT no-knead bread

ask over in cooking and baking too, they have lots of folks who know about cookware

[Neecy]

2. good idea, I'll post over there, too

It's probably a little big for bread, and the bottom isn't flat - it has raised ribs, like a roaster. I'm guessing it's roomy enough for around 3 cornish game hens or a very small chicken. It really is a nice piece, and the finish on it is gorgeous. It's very hard and glossy, almost like an Emile Henry piece. I love fun stuff like this!

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Write/email the company and include a pic

Am sure they will give you some more info, and maybe you'll also get the dates of production and what they called the piece :)

Contaact page:
http://www.waechtersbachusa.com/contact.aspx

Nice Find! :hi:

[Neecy]

4. Thanks!

I just wrote them and included a photo. I'm guessing it was a promotional item and not regular stock because I've been researching this for a couple of hours now and I have yet to find another like it. I'm looking forward to using it because it's a beautiful oven-to-table piece.

[Neecy]

5. I've heard back from them...

Apparently this hasn't only stumped me, the guy from Waechtersbach USA is a little stumped by it as well. He wanted me to send a photo of the stamp, since he's not familar with the piece and can only date it by the stamp.

I did look over on eBay Germany and found different pieces of Waechtersbach that weren't strictly dinnerware, but they were mainly vases.

On edit: I just heard back from them again, and it's a bread keeper, produced in the 1990's and discontinued after two years of production.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. Wowzer!

Good going! :toast:

And it's a limited production piece! :bounce:

[eleny]

7. How great! You got news pretty fast!

:applause:

[shenmue]

8. Ooo, pretty

:)