From: Gary Tefft / locustent@aol.com
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Date: 13 Oct 1998
Time: 00:17:54
You guessed right Bill, the piece is a water filter. I don't know who made it, but I've seen a number of styles, which leads me to believe that a lot of different factories made them. In fact, the later style Red Wing Perfection filter, the one that looks like a Pantry Jar, used this type of filter, rather than a Tripoli stone block, or sand. (see page 158 in Red Wing Potters & Their Wares)
Thanks for the kind words, It keps me going.
-Gary-