Forgot to reroute my reply to Susan...rather than ALL.  You can't see
the photos I sent her....that help explain what my words weren't
adequately doing.

But, while I have your attention...in case you may be wondering about
the bowl mentioned to Susan...it is a 11 3/4" dia, 6" tall bail handle
stoneware "cooking pot" (casserole?)....glazed dark brown (nearly black)
on the interior; unglazed on the exterior...but it has a dimpled surface
with a heart design every quarter round.  On the base are concentric
raised bands...with impressed lettering (words) and dashes (--)...that,
unfortunately, we only have half of (where is the other half of the
bowl??!!).  The wording we have is (each row on separate band):

TRADE MARK
-- DEUTS   C[OMPANY]?
? [PR]OOF  (probably Oven)
-- ACID  ???

The Deuts ends with the "S", so don't think it was ever Deutsche (as
Google wants to replace for me when searching. !!).  
Has anyone heard of this "brand"?  Or know the proper name for such a
vessel?
I figure the dimpling and raised bands are for heat dispersment. ??

Thanks for any help.

Carol

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Susan Walter
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 9:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: filters inside of cisterns

Hello all, 

Has anyone encountered red brick filters inside of water cisterns?  

In the cistern I have been studying, slightly off center on the floor is
a solid block of cemented bricks.  It measures approximately 49" high,
and 2 bricks wide, and 3 1/2 bricks long.  One brick width protrudes
down the sides of the construction.  On the top is a place built up of 1
brick wide into which the original ferrous pipe was inserted.  There is
no evidence of any opening anywhere.  

Thanks, 
S. Walter