The first cooking pots were, of course, made of pottery. To this day pottery cookware has many advantages over metal — it is slow to heat up and slow to cool off. I use pootery cookware almost exclusively — on the hearth — and on my kitchen stove. The type of pottery that makes cookware that can withstand the shock of direct flame is terra cotta. On the hearth, terra cotta was traditionally used over embers. As the embers are never hotter than the moment they are spread onto the hearth under the pot. Terra cotta cookware evens out the ebb and flow of hearth heat while metal cookware — fast to heat up and fast to cool down — amplifies it. Terra cotta cookware that is properly made for cooking does not crack, even when placed over high heat. As insurance, if you soak the bottom third of the pan in water for a few minutes prior ot using it you will pretty much gurantee that no cracking will ever occur. Of course, always let terra cotta cool after use before plunging in water to clean it. I will add, too, that most of this reproduction terra cott is beautiful — a real pleasure to own.

This gorgeous reproduction pottery, spoon, and knife are examples of the outstanding and inspiring stock offered of reproduction culinary equipment, glassware, adn table settings by the Tuckahoe Trading Company Please see below for more information.

1. Henderson’s Redware
2. Julia Smith, Historic Pottery Reproductions
3. Period Designs: Michelle Erickson
4. Tuckahoe Trading Comany

Henderson’s Redware: Bangore, Maine

Henderson’s Redware includes an extensive line of redware pottery reproductions from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centures. I call your attention to the pipkins. The pipkin pictured here is sold in 1 and 2 quart (1 and 2 liter) sizes. Hendeson’s also sells two very beautiful 8 inch (19 cm) pie plates. Phone: 207-942-9013
Fax: 207-942-9044
Toll Free : 866-376-4475

Julia Smith, Historic Pottery Reproductions : Providence, Rhode Island:

Terra cotta cookware is the best cookware for the hearth. Julia Smith produces an extraordinary collection of museum quality pottery for use on the hearth. Her extensive collection of cooking pots are all beautiful. According to Julia’s catalogue descrition, this skillet was copied from an example found on the Warship Vasa. English or Dutch, early 17th century. 9″-10″ diameter. Terra cotta skillets are hard to find. Julia does not always have pieces in stock so there can be a wait between ordering and delivery.

Period Designs: Michelle Erickson : Yorktown, Virginia

Michelle is a gifted potter. Her reproduction ceramics are gorgeous. Ms. Erickson has over fifteen years experience in working with 17th- and 18th-century reproduction pottery. As owner of Michelle Erickson Pottery, Inc, she produces reproductions for organizations such as Colonial Williamsburg, the National Park Service, Parks Canada, and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts. The images reproduced on her web site give an idea of her work but she often has other types of pottery for sale as well, so if you are intereested in her work you should call her.

Tuckahoe Trading Comany: Chesapeake, Virginia

Terra cotta is only one of the many products sold by this exceptional company, see the beautiful photograph at the top of this page. Tuckahoe Trading Compnay also offers an extraordinary collection of glassware. Tthe three pipkins below illustrate their catalogue section on earthenware cooking vessels from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Their largest footed pot (pipkin) is respectable 4.5 quarts (4.5 liters). Please remember that all itmes are made by hand and you may have to wait for your order. The business number, EST is 757-487-1815.

Terra Cotta found While Traveling

While industralization tends to replace terra cotta with metal cookware, there are still many countries, including a few countries in Europe, where terra cotta cookware is still produced and used. On my hearth, in addition to reproduction redware cookware, I use terra cotta cookware from Mexico, El Salvador, Kenya, Tunesia, Italy,Thailand, and many other countries — pots I collect as I travel. Look for terra cotta cookware when you travel. Ask friends who travel to bring pots back for you. Be on the lookout for terra cotta for sale in markets catering to immigrant communities. Terra cotta cookware is also sold at many cookware stores, such as Sur la Table.