Neu Deel Cookin Ware
I find this “Neu Deel Cookin Ware” earthenware baking dish intriguing because it has so much decoration and design for a dish with such a simple purpose. It obviously was made for use in the oven and has a tight-fitting lid, so I guess it could be called a dutch oven too. Interestingly, the lid is glazed on the inside and is the right shape and size for a second use as a ten-inch diameter pie plate. This large baking dish has four “feet” molded into the base, as well as molded rings to keep the bottom of the dish slightly raised from the surface of the oven. The sides of the dish are covered with raised ornamental designs of branches, leaves, apples, and other fruits and vegetables. I love to look at the intricate detail of the designs.
The interior of this earthenware baking dish has the same dark brown glaze that the interior of the pie plate has. Both have an unglazed exterior that is the color of sand with small dark specks throughout. The baking dish has a metal bail that is connected to earthenware ears.
The bottom of the baking dish has raised lettering that reads “Neu Deel Economy Cookin Ware Health.” The bottom of the pie plate has raised lettering that reads “Neu Deel Economy Cookin Ware Health Reg US Pat Off Pat 91285.” The patent for this design was registered on January 2, 1934 and was valid for a period of fourteen years. The designer was Warren I. Tycer of Columbus, Ohio. Included in the patent are two drawings of his proposed design.
Sketch by Warren I. Tycer of his ornamental design
Sketch by Warren I. Tycer of
his earthenware baking dish
Many different styles of these baking dishes were made under this same patent. Although I have had my “Neu Deel Cookin Ware” for about twenty years and have searched through many sources during that time, I have never found another one of these dishes as tall as mine (8 1/2 inches), including the dish shown in the patent sketch. I have seen shallower dishes with portions of the ornamental design… dishes with and without bails and with and without feet. Apparently not all of these baking dishes were designed with lids. (In fact, the patent drawing does not show a lid.) The lids often look different too, with some having a glazed interior while others do not.
Filed Under Simple Treasures
Comments
Comment by Miss Eagle:
I do love this baking dish. How I would love such a beautiful thing. What’s that saying about form and function? This man not only thought of function - he thought of the beauty of it as well. And it has a dual function too. Treasure it, preserve it. You may have to bequeath it to a museum.
Blessings and bliss
Comment by ellen b:
Have you cooked anything in it? It really is an interesting baking dish.
Comment by Sharon:
I have never seen anything like that before. It is very interesting!
Comment by Kelli:
What a neat history and the dish pattern is wonderful!
Kelli
Comment by Laura:
I have one of the shallow dishes like this. Mine does not have a cover or if it had one, it got broke or something. I bought mine at an auction so I don’t know anything about it except that I like it. I was glad to find out about it. Thanks!
Comment by Shirley:
Ellen… no, I have never actually cooked anything in this dish. I have it sitting on my counter and I use it more like a cannister to keep things in. I’m sure it would work great in the oven, but I’m afraid I might break it. Thanks everyone for the comments.
Comment by Max and Peggy:
We have the dish that’s in the sketch but unfortunately, not the lid. It belonged to Max’s mother and was obviously a favorite baking dish. We heat it in the oven to keep rolls or bread warm during dinner or just keep fruit in it on the counter. It’s too wonderful to hide in a cupboard. We will send you a picture if you would like.
Comment by Shirley:
Max and Peggy, that was so interesting to hear about another of these Neu Deel Cookin Ware dishes… and especially the one in the sketch. I had never thought of using mine for keeping rolls warm… that’s a great idea.
Comment by chuck:
Great Information about these bowls, thanks! We have 2 pieces, a 10″ bowl, 3 1/2″ deep and the 10″ pie plate. I never thought of the plate as a top for the bowl. It does fit but not tight and leaves very little room in the bowl. The pie plate also has the brown rim with a white inside. Lots of crazing and brown from the oven but still looks and works great. Lots of washing has started to wear the outside pattern down and the inside crazing does begin to darken with use.
thanks
Comment by Lynn P:
I have two of these dishes, both inherited from my mother-in-law. One is the pie plate pictured above and the other is 3 1/2″ in deep. They sound like what Chuck has. As Chuck noted above, the pie pan fits right into the top of the deeper bowl but diminishes the depth of the bowl by 1″ when used that way. When turned upside down, the pie pan makes an elevated dome over the lower bowl, but you’d have to be very careful, as there’s nothing to hold it in place but simple friction. It had never occurred to me that they were bought as a set, but I’ll bet that they were.
Mine are both in perfect condition. I had never paid any attention to them except to really appreciate their function (the larger bowl is fabulous for baked beans, spoon bread, etc), until I sent a pie to my next door neighbor yesteday. She brought the clean pie plate back, raving about it, and we “Googled” it to see what it was.
If you want a photo, I’d be glad to send a couple.
Comment by donkittre:
I have come to own several of these pieces. I had always thought that they were flower containers since my Mother in law was an avid gardener. I am now looking at them with a greater appreciation for their form and function. Does anyone have a value on the current market? Responses will be appreciated. Thanks
Comment by Shirley:
I really have no idea about what one of these is worth except for the prices I’ve seen in antique shops. A less tall set with the same design and the pie plate cover had a price tag of $175 in a local antique store about a year ago. And several years ago someone offered me $250 for the one I have. (I said no thanks.)
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