We arrived probably three hours after the flea market had already begun - so it was extremely surprising to see this urn having been passed up by person after person for only five nickels - or two dimes and a nickel or even twenty-five pennies.
When I first glanced at the redware vase - I immediately knew it was something special. I picked it up instantly. I could clearly see how the vase had been stacked in a potter's kiln at one time, the finger markings on the interior indicated it had been hand turned and the crackling in the green glaze appeared early New England. The use of kiln furniture was even present on the base. The urn's weight felt correct. The clay, footed base and bottom all had the correct feel of an early example of American redware. Without hesitation - we purchased it - handing the flea market seller a dollar bill and receiving three quarters in return.
We were told the vase had been found locally in a Maine home after cleaning out its contents. All of the leftover and unwanted contents that were considered by the seller to have little value we brought to the flea market and sold for a quarter.
19th Century Redware Urn Found at a Flea Market in Maine
Maker: See Below
Maker: See Below
I had initially planned on doing some research within my library when I got to my Newburyport, Massachusetts home - but as quickly as I walked in the front door - the maker popped into my head. I remembered viewing a large collection of work from a New Hampshire maker not too long ago.
The New Hampshire Historical Society has a large collection of John Farmer Clark produced redware - which was mostly made during the second half of the nineteenth-century - in the Millville neighborhood of Concord, New Hampshire. I feel the example we found yesterday is arguably one of the finest forms produced by John Farmer Clark. The handle attachments or urn rings are extremely accomplished. The form and proportions are perfect. The glaze is beautiful. I have seen the many examples the historical society owns and I consider the form we found yesterday equal if not better than their suggested best.
John Farmer Clark Redware Feeder - Concord, NH
19th Century
Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society
John Farmer Clark Redware Jar - Concord, NH
19th Century
Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society
John Farmer Clark Redware Mug - Concord, NH
19th Century
Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society
John Farmer Clark Redware Mug with Political Statement - Concord, NH
19th Century
Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society
John Farmer Clark Redware Flower Pot - Concord, NH
19th Century
Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society
John Farmer Clark was the grandson of the eighteenth century redware potter, Peter Clark - who began his career in Braintree, Massachusetts before relocating to Lyndeboro, New Hampshire. Peter Clark is arguably one of the most important New England potters from colonial days up through modern times.
Likely Peter Clark Large Redware Jar - Braintree, Ma
Late 18th Century
Peter Clark Redware Jar - Lyndeboro, NH
Late 18th or Early 19th Century
Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society
It should be important to note - the use of incised decoration that Peter Clark used in both Braintree and Lyndeboro were likely a skill that Clark learned while training in Essex County, Massachusetts. Eighteenth-century Essex County is well-known for this type of decoration. Clark was born in Braintree, but his parents were from Essex County - where he received his training. It is not known which South Danvers, Danvers or Salem, Massachusetts shop Clark apprenticed under, but his work in both Braintree and Lyndeboro always demonstrated an Essex County influence.
Two of Clark's sons became potters - while working under him in New Hampshire. Daniel Clark and Daniel Clark II both trained in Lyndeboro before relocating to Concord, New Hampshire and beginning their own family shop.
Many of the New England redware rundles (form seen below) were made in the nineteenth-century Clark shop in Concord. For some unexplainable reason - the form was extremely popular in this part of New England.
Many of the New England redware rundles (form seen below) were made in the nineteenth-century Clark shop in Concord. For some unexplainable reason - the form was extremely popular in this part of New England.
Daniel Clark Redware Rundlet - Concord, NH
19th Century
Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society
Redware Rundlet Dated "1839"
Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society
John Farmer Clark took over his father's company (Daniel Clark II) when he passed away in 1863. His uncle, Daniel Clark died in 1849. He had been working under both family potters previous to that. The wares John Farmer Clark produced were less expected from a New Hampshire potter having many examples taken on a European-type influence. This influence is likely seen in the urn that my nephew and I found yesterday in Maine.
Among the notable potters who worked and trained in the Millville shop were Peter Flanders, Joseph Hazeltine and John Libby. Each are known for their accomplished work in New Hampshire - and additional to Flanders, Hazeltine and Libby - there families are also regarded as working in Millville. The New Hampshire Historical Society owns examples from each potter.
The Clark family redware business carried on for more than twenty-years under John Farmer Clark's direction before he suddenly died in 1885. With Clark's passing - the legend of three generations of Clark family master potters died with him. The Clark family pottery shop of New Hampshire is regarded as the most successful potter's business ever attempted in either eighteenth or nineteenth-century New Hampshire.
I don't feel the Clark's ever achieved that large business-model that was introduced with the Industrial Revolution, instead, they were a small shop working in a smaller area of New Hampshire that remained relevant in an ever-changing industry for more than a hundred years -- there is something to be said for that.
The wares each family member produced speaks for itself in skill, detail, creativity and accomplishment.
Needless to say, this is probably the best twenty-five cents either my nephew or myself have ever spent!
I don't feel the Clark's ever achieved that large business-model that was introduced with the Industrial Revolution, instead, they were a small shop working in a smaller area of New Hampshire that remained relevant in an ever-changing industry for more than a hundred years -- there is something to be said for that.
The wares each family member produced speaks for itself in skill, detail, creativity and accomplishment.
Needless to say, this is probably the best twenty-five cents either my nephew or myself have ever spent!
Much more to come...
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