Limington Village, Me Report 2
"The town of Limington (Maine) comprises the eastern portion of the lands lying between the Saco and Little Ossipee Rivers...It is bounded on the north by Baldwin, and on the east by Standish, in Cumberland County, the Saco River being the division line, on the south by Hollis and Waterborough, and on the west by Limerick and Cornish." (History of York County Maine - Clayton, 1880)
The areas of Alfred, Buxton, Hollis, Limington, Portland and Yarmouth produced some of the most colorful wares of the nineteenth-century Maine potters. Each was within a 35 mile radius of Limington Village and most within the Saco River region. In general, there is not a lot known of the work produced in these areas. There may be many more small potters' businesses near the Saco River that we have not yet discovered. The operations in Portland and Yarmouth are considered large when compared to Alfred, Buxton, Hollis and Limington. The Saco River likely served as the clay source for many of these potters, but who's to say there were not other sources. The lakes and rivers are extremely abundant in this area of Maine.
The redware milk pan I discovered recently near the New Hampshire seacoast - is very similar to sherds found on Maine antique dealer, Bill Kelly's eighteenth-century Limington Village property. I personally believe the milk pan was made by John Alld in Hollis, but the similarities are very close. Hollis is a neighboring town of Limington and the border is only a matter of miles from the property where all the sherds, kiln furniture and wasters have been found. The property has not been excavated - the redware has merely been discovered through simple gardening and landscaping. A professional excavation may happen in the future.
Redware Milk Pan Sherd - Early 19th Century - Interior of Pan
Similar Greenish Glaze to the Milk Pan
Found on Limington, Village Maine 18th Century Property
Redware Milk Pan Sherd - Early 19th Century - Exterior of Pan
Similar Exterior to the Milk Pan
Found on Limington, Village Maine 18th Century Property
Redware Sherd - Early 19th Century
Demonstrates a Faint Green Spot and Greenish Glaze
Found on Limington Village, Maine 18th Century Property
Likely John Alld Redware Milk Pan - Hollis, Me
Early 19th Century
Found in New Hampshire
Exterior of Milk Pan
Close-Up of Green Dots on Redware Milk Pan
An even more fascinating discovery has been the glaze style demonstrated within this redware sherd - also found on the same Limington Village property.
Redware Sherd - Possibly a Pitcher or Chamber Pot
Early 19th Century
Found on Limington Village, Maine Property
Without getting into the specifics because I would like to save much of this research for a future publication, I will say this glaze style, which demonstrates a separation in the glaze - was more so often associated within the areas of Afred and Yarmouth, Maine than anywhere else in the state. It appears this unknown Limington Village potter may have taken inspiration for their work from many of the nearby potters - seen within both the glazed sherd and possibly the milk pan. Or who knows - maybe the known area potters drew inspiration from Limington? They were all working alongside each other of the same period.
These two jugs are not the best comparison of the work from the Webber family pottery in Alfred, but the first jug does demonstrate a similar glaze to the sherd - without any separation, veining or crawling.
These two jugs are not the best comparison of the work from the Webber family pottery in Alfred, but the first jug does demonstrate a similar glaze to the sherd - without any separation, veining or crawling.
Probably Alfred, Me Redware Jug
19th Century
Photo Courtesy: Tim Gould Auctions - Smithfield, Me
Probably Alfred, Me Redware Jug
19th Century
Photo Courtesy: Skinner Auctions - Boston, Ma
Separation was done intentionally by the potter - which forces the glaze
to divide, leaving an under glaze to be seen. The crawling glaze is often a different color or a variation of the original glaze. The use was solely for decorative reasons. It is a technique also seen with New Hampshire and New
York potters and occasionally the use of starch is applied to the glaze
to cause this decorative affect. Here are examples of New York and New Hampshire glazes with this described "crawling" affect.
Early to Mid 19th Century
Slightly Demonstrates Crawling in the Glaze
Likely Alvin Wilcox Redware Jar - West Bloomfield, NY
Mid 19th Century
Strongly Demonstrates Crawling in the Glaze
Strongly Demonstrates Crawling in the Glaze
Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup Antiques - Sheffield, Ma
Likely New Hampshire Redware Jar
Early to Mid 19th Century
Strongly Demonstrates Crawling in the Glaze
Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup Antiques - Sheffield, Ma
This Limington Village property and nearby homes have proven to be a fascinating study. I am in the midst of working with a group of neighboring homes in an attempt to figure this all out. I will say that we have made a great-deal of progress with the sherds and a signed jug. At this point, we have a very-good understanding of who this unknown potter may have been.
There will be much more on this subject to come. I am working on publishing an article in the near future with information surrounding an important jug at the very-least.
There will be much more on this subject to come. I am working on publishing an article in the near future with information surrounding an important jug at the very-least.
Much more to come..and a quick tease looking ahead - I will be visiting Brimfield, Massachusetts early tomorrow morning with my nephew for some picking.
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