New china rolling pins

The shape of the new 15½-inch china rolling pin shown in Fig. 1 is virtually identical to the china rolling pins made by Harker Pottery, ca. 1935-1955. The new wild rose floral decoration, Fig. 2, on the new pin, is a close match to several vintage decorations including Rose I shown in Fig. 3 as well as Amy and Rose II.

Probably the easiest way to separate old from new is to look for a new mark, Fig. 5, which appears in gold. Unfortunately, the gold mark is applied over the glaze and is easily removed.

Another good test is to check the ring on the handle. We've now talked with owners of several other new examples and all the new rings have glaze problems. The insides of all the new rings reported so far are raw bisque, they are not glazed (Fig. 4).

Harker Pottery, which closed in 1972, was the only company to make this particular style of china rolling pin. Harker China was a trade name of Harker Pottery used in the 1950s. There are likely other new pins made with other types and styles of decorations.

Fig. 1 New 15½-inch china rolling pin with multicolor floral decoration. The shape is virtually identical to china rolling pins made by Harker Pottery, ca. 1935-1955.

Fig. 2 Detail view of multicolor floral decoration on the new china rolling pin shown in Fig. 1. The new pattern is similar to, but not an exact copy, of several vintage decorations used by Harker (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Vintage china rolling pin by Harker Pottery shown with a 9" pie baker. This vintage decoration was called Rose I.

Fig. 4 The ring on the new handle is not completely glazed. The inside of this new ring (arrow) is unglazed bisque.

Fig. 5 The new rolling pin has this marking in gold lettering. Actual size of the entire new mark is only one-inch top to bottom.

Fig. 6 Original advertisement offering a vintage rolling pin as part of a Harker Pottery three-piece set. This original floral decoration is similar to the decoration used on the new pin.