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Hall China - Water Pitchers

Updated on February 13, 2023
Virginia Allain profile image

Collecting has been a lifelong passion for Virginia and her collections range from ephemera to tins and Hall china.

Note the pitcher on the right lower shelf on this old kitchen storage unit (called a Hoosier cabinet).
Note the pitcher on the right lower shelf on this old kitchen storage unit (called a Hoosier cabinet). | Source

Do You Collect Hall China Water Pitchers?

The retro look of Hall China is classic. In particular, the water pitchers appealed to me. Their sleek lines and range of colors give the collector a variety to search for.

They look marvelous displayed on open shelves in a kitchen. I show off mine across the cabinet tops. They add a nice punch of color that draws the eye upward.

I assembled my collection the hard way, attending flea markets and auctions across Maryland and Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 80s. It's a lot easier now. Take a look at the pretty vintage Hall China pitchers I've assembled here for you to browse.


Some Refrigerators Came with the Hall Water Pitcher Inside - as a bonus

A typical graphic for a 1950s refrigerator advertisement. Love the apron and the happy housewife.
A typical graphic for a 1950s refrigerator advertisement. Love the apron and the happy housewife. | Source

Why the Nostalgia?

Part of the appeal for collectors of Hall China is the memories these bring up of the 1940s and 1950s. It's a link back to the days when housewives wearing aprons made pitchers of Kool-Aid or lemonade for a house full of active children.


Zazzle graphic available on post cards: Vintage Retro Women 50s Kitchen Full Refrigerator Post Cards by superiorwomen.

My Collection

I display the pitchers on my cabinet tops in the kitchen.
I display the pitchers on my cabinet tops in the kitchen. | Source
This display makes use of wasted space and serves to decorate my kitchen. I don't actually use the pitchers for fear of breaking one. I'd be devastated to lose one.
This display makes use of wasted space and serves to decorate my kitchen. I don't actually use the pitchers for fear of breaking one. I'd be devastated to lose one.

More About My Collection

The 3 pitchers to the left of the basket of sunflowers are Nora pitchers (made by Hall China).

  • They date from around 1955.
  • They came with and without china lids.
  • They were sold in Hall's general line and also available in a premium line for McCormick Tea in their lidless form.
  • The colors commonly seen are green, light blue, yellow.

Collectors Encyclopedia of Hall China, 3rd Edition - by Margaret Whitmyer and Kenn Whitmyer

Collectors Encyclopedia of Hall China, 3rd Edition
Collectors Encyclopedia of Hall China, 3rd Edition
This collector's guide has something for everyone. Learn the history of the Hall China Company. Identify the Hall China that you've collected. Get an idea of its value. Every collector of Hall china needs this book and even though the market for collectibles changes over the years. I refer to my copy to see what designs are out there and to get an idea of what the value was at the time of printing. It gives you an idea of which items are rarities.
 

What Pieces Are Rare?

The rarity and difficulty of finding a specific Hall China pitcher can depend on several factors, including the design, the time period it was produced, and the limited production of a particular style or color. In general, the following types of Hall China pitchers are considered to be harder to find:

Early pieces: Hall China was founded in 1903, and the company's early pieces are highly sought after by collectors. Water pitchers produced in the first few decades of the company's existence are often the most difficult to find.

Limited edition pieces: Hall China has produced limited edition water pitchers to commemorate special events or to celebrate holidays. These limited edition pieces are often highly sought after by collectors and are therefore harder to find.

Discontinued styles and colors: Over the years, Hall China has discontinued certain styles and colors of water pitchers. These discontinued pieces are often harder to find and may command a premium price among collectors.

Rare glaze colors: Hall China was known for its wide range of glaze colors, and some of the rarest glaze colors are the hardest to find. For example, water pitchers produced in unique or one-of-a-kind glaze colors may be harder to find.

It's important to note that the rarity and difficulty of finding a specific Hall China pitcher can vary depending on several factors, including the collector's location and the availability of pieces on the market at any given time.

Learn about the History of Hall China

This was before the day of Tupperware and before refrigerators dispensed ice and cold water. Food was stored in china dishes with covers like Hall made and cold water came from a pitcher kept in the fridge.
This was before the day of Tupperware and before refrigerators dispensed ice and cold water. Food was stored in china dishes with covers like Hall made and cold water came from a pitcher kept in the fridge. | Source

The Early History of Hall China

Hall China is a company that has been producing ceramic kitchenware for over 100 years. The company was founded in 1903 by Robert Hall in East Liverpool, Ohio and quickly became known for producing high-quality ceramic pieces, including water pitchers.

Hall China's water pitchers were initially produced in the early 20th century and were popular for their bright, vibrant glazes and stylish designs. The company was known for its wide range of colors, including pastel shades, bold primary colors, and earthy hues. These water pitchers were often used in households and were also popular as dining room accessories in hotels and restaurants.

Read more about the history of Hall China. Here are some additional facts.

An Example of Hall China Included as a Giveaway with a Refrigerator Purchase

GE (General Electric) was another refrigerator company that commissioned Hall pitchers to go with its machines. Besides the water pitchers, Hall China made refrigerator dishes. On the bottom it said Coldspot Vitrified China by the Hall China Co.
GE (General Electric) was another refrigerator company that commissioned Hall pitchers to go with its machines. Besides the water pitchers, Hall China made refrigerator dishes. On the bottom it said Coldspot Vitrified China by the Hall China Co. | Source

Look for Vintage Water Pitchers on eBay and Etsy

In the old days, collectors had to hunt through countless yard sales, attend auctions, and pay high prices in antique stores. Those sources are still around but you can streamline the process by checking out eBay and Etsy online.

I find eBay is like thousands of yard sales all pulled together for your viewing pleasure. Check out the selection there. Choose some auctions to watch. You might get a super good price. Best of luck to you in your bidding.

Etsy features crafts and vintage items so you will find Hall China pitchers and teapots there. The prices vary widely depending on the seller.


Join Other Collectors to Share Information

Example of the sharing on the Facebook group of collectors. This is a closed group, so you have to request to join it and get approved. It's great fun to share this hobby with others who love the same things you do.
Example of the sharing on the Facebook group of collectors. This is a closed group, so you have to request to join it and get approved. It's great fun to share this hobby with others who love the same things you do. | Source

Art Deco Styling - Hall China Pitcher

In the 1930s and 1940s, Hall China introduced a line of water pitchers in the Art Deco style, which was popular at the time. These pitchers had clean lines and geometric shapes and were often decorated with geometric patterns or abstract designs.

Isn't this one delightful! The art deco styling from the early part of the 1900s is very sleek and sculptural. I have one of these with a tiny chip where the lid goes. Sometimes I display it with flowers in it.

Video of Art Deco Pitcher

Do You Collect Hall China?

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Kinds of Hall Water Pitchers (not a complete listing)

Name of Pitcher
Colors
Height
Description
General
blue
8 inches tall
refrigerator ware, for Westinghouse circa 1940's era. Art deco styling, ridges around the upper half.
Ball
lettuce green, marine blue, Chinese red, yellow,
7 1/2 inches tall
Round like the Kook-Aid pitcher in ads
Nora
light turquoise, yellow, pink, gray, dark green
8 1/4 inches tall
Has lid, sleek, curved styling with 2 ridges that follow the curve below the handle.
Westinghouse
cobalt blue
 
Arrowhead shaped lid. Ridges around lower part of the pitcher
GE
 
 
 
Riviera
 
 
 
Montgomery Ward
blue
 
Has lid. Base has vertical ridges
Donut
 
 
Round with hole through the center

Go to the bottom of this page to see examples of these.

Autumn Leaf Patterned Water Pitchers Made by Hall China Company - Find a bargain on eBay

I personally prefer the plain colors over the patterned ones for the water pitchers. This Autumn Leaf is quite popular though, so I'm including it here. Many collectors specialize in a certain pattern like Autumn leaf or a certain type of china (like I collect the water pitchers).

Then there are some insatiable collectors who buy every pieces they can afford and go to the Hall China annual convention to find even more.

The Past 70 Years at Hall China

In the mid-20th century, Hall China expanded its product line to include water pitchers in a variety of shapes and sizes. The company produced tall, cylindrical water pitchers, short, round water pitchers, and even rectangular water pitchers. Some of these pitchers were designed for specific uses, such as serving iced tea or lemonade, while others were intended for general use.

In recent years, Hall China has continued to produce water pitchers, though the company has shifted its focus to producing pieces for the hospitality industry. Today, Hall China's water pitchers are used in hotels and restaurants across the United States and are known for their durability and quality.

Overall, Hall China's water pitchers have a rich history and have been popular for their stylish designs, bright glazes, and durability.

Other Kitchen Collectibles

It's fun to decorate your kitchen with retro or vintage collectibles. Besides the pitchers, I have lots of Tindeco tins. I show a few of these in the kitchen, but the collection is too large to feature all of them.

One book to steer you in collecting these kind of vintage items is Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Check for the book on Amazon.

'50s, '60, & '70s Kitchen Collectibles

'50s, '60s, & '70s Kitchen Collectibles (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
'50s, '60s, & '70s Kitchen Collectibles (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
If you collect Hall China, it's likely that you are attracted to other kitchen collectibles from the 1950s through the 1970s. This book will be a real nostalgia trip.
 

Another Kitchen Collectible for You to Collect

These vintage spice tins appeal to me.
These vintage spice tins appeal to me. | Source

Example of Displaying Vintage Collectibles in the Kitchen

This was my kitchen when I lived in Baltimore. The Hoosier cabinet and vintage bread signs made of metal were great accessories for my Hall China collection.
This was my kitchen when I lived in Baltimore. The Hoosier cabinet and vintage bread signs made of metal were great accessories for my Hall China collection. | Source

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2013 Virginia Allain

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