madfinnhockey Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 I'm a first time poster trying to figure out what I have. About 30 yrs ago when doing yard work I dug up a ceramic/stoneware jar. It's white in color, very heavy for its size, and it has an unusual clamp that secures the top to the jar. There's a metal label on the top, most of the name on the label is worn off, but you can read the words Stoneware Company. The bottom of the jar has the letters BOF stamped in it. Between the top of the jar and the jar is a rubber seal. Inside the jar is filled with what I would call marbles. They are solid in color, sort of a dull off-white / tan color. They are smaller than a dime, and they are not perfectly round, but a little rough. I've attached a picture, hopefully it will help. thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'llhavethat1 Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Interesting Lid, so the jar had those in it when it came out of the ground? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 I wonder if they were boiling balls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madfinnhockey Posted October 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Yes, the jar had those in it when I found it. The jar is over half full with those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Does it say a town's name? Like Akron? Or is that my over-optimistic imagination? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 This looks like it might be a newer version of what you have. I wonder why they call it a sauerkraut crock? http://www.ebay.com/...k-/280737990918 With the balls inside I wondered if it might be a grinding mill jar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marble novice Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Something about the lid makes me think humidor (or something along those lines). As for the jar contents, I tend to think they may be ceramic pie crust weights (which keeps the crust from bubbling as it bakes). Holly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marble novice Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Sauerkraut... Ick! But I too was curious, so went looking. If you wanna make the stuff, here's something I found: http://www.probiotics-help.com/sauerkraut-crock.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Different maker on this one but this is something along the lines of what I suspected because of the balls inside: http://www.ebay.com/itm/STONEWARE-GRINDING-MILL-JAR-CERAMIC-PAUL-O-ABBE-1-5-4-/370537521748 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marble novice Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 If by chance this is a sauerkraut crock, it seems the ceramic balls could've been what was used to "Cover the cabbage mixture ... and weigh down. The use of a weight places a constant pressure upon the cabbage mixture and helps force the juices out of it. " http://www.probiotics-help.com/how-to-make-sauerkraut.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madfinnhockey Posted October 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Mine looks identical to the one in the ebay link that Steph posted, with the exception of the little balls/marbles in it. And like the one on ebay, mine has the same letters on the bottom, and it does say Stoneware on the lid, the rest of the letters/name can't be read. I was hoping it was worth millions... guess not! Thanks everyone for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'llhavethat1 Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Sauerkraut is very German, but I'm thinking the jar would have been bigger than the one originally shown and for the weights to make any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Check out this catalog on the Bay. Again looks newer than your jar but I think the same company. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-U-S-Stoneware-Catalog-Tygon-Jars-Towers-Masonry-/380125413424 This page explains how mill jars would be used. If you can read the fine print you'll see a reference to "Danish Flint Pebbles and Porcelain Balls" for use in the chemical pulverizing process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Mine looks identical to the one in the ebay link that Steph posted, with the exception of the little balls/marbles in it. And like the one on ebay, mine has the same letters on the bottom, and it does say Stoneware on the lid, the rest of the letters/name can't be read. I was hoping it was worth millions... guess not! Thanks everyone for your help. Whatever it is, I think it's a very cool item. Don't underestimate it just coz it's not worth millions! :) I wouldn't use that one non-selling ebay listing as an indicator of its monetary value either. If you were tempted to discard it, I'd look for second opinions. just sayin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Mini mill balls, now we know where the smaller ones come from. Very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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