Question:
Hi, I purchased this set for $45.00 to use as a flower arragement and found out it might be worth something. It has a 14′ plate(charger) 8 cups and a large something like a deep jug but i think the lid is not orginial. I haven’t found no pics of this set on the internet does it have any value? Nikki
Answer:
Ernest Sohn was a well-known designer who contracted with various businesses to make products for his sales company. He specialized in serving pieces and buffet sets, not full dinnerware patterns. His dealings with Red Wing were not well documented, but at least two lines of dinnerware items were produced for Sohn. "Butter Mold" is the name of the line to which your items belong. It consisted of serving pieces such as pitchers, teapots, casseroles, bowls, platters, etc. The pieces had a ribbed effect in the glaze, similar to Village Green. Butter Mold colors were dark brown, dark green, or yellow (uncommon). Each piece was marked with a design taken from a vintage butter mold. The design featured a fern and leaves enclosed by 5 rings, and included the letters " E.S. USA". Production years are uncertain but most likely fall between the late 1950s and early 1960s. An ad for Sohn’s Butter Mold line appeared in a February 1961 magazine.Besides the ribbed effect the Butter Mold line also shared some other features of Red Wing’s Village Green line. Your eight beverage mugs are essentially Village Green beverage mugs glazed with Sohn’s green color and with the addition of the Butter Mold design on the side. A wide range of Butter Mold items were made and while not rare, most Butter Mold pieces are scarce and not easily found. Your mugs would be worth $25-35 each and the 14 inch charger around $50. These values assume excellent condition. I am unable to identify the large container to the right in the photo. It seems designed to hold liquids of some kind but doesn’t appear to have a spout or spigot.
Larry