Unidentifed Green Glaze of Possible Early Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts Potter

John Spargo's book, "Early American Pottery and China" attributes a few examples of early Massachusetts redware to the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts. There is no real evidence for this association beyond what is assumed examples of early Southeastern Massachusetts redware that may have emerged from Barnstable homes at the time of Spargo's writing. There is certainly no archaeological support for his claims. He did however, write the book when many nineteenth century potters and customers were still alive, but I still feel there is no concrete evidence beyond word of mouth and speculation.

Noah Bradford and his son in-law, Daniel Parker, Jr. ran a pottery in West Barnstable, Masssachusetts. The site of their operation may be represented with redware sherds, tiles used for stacking wares in kilns and actual kiln furniture that was dug near a construction site. Sherd glaze colors include a variation of greens and blacks. Known forms represented in the ceramic assemblage include jugs, lug handles, lids and mostly thick outdoor wares. Many of the sherds may even represent pottery forms intended for solely architectural and heavy use.

 Bradford-Parker Pottery Sherd - West Barnstable, Ma

Dark Green Glaze

Early to Mid 19th Century

Kiln Furniture Attached to Sherd

I have seen many of the sherds that represent this archaeological collection and most appear to have been used for some-sort of outdoor heavy intended purpose. Oddly, I have never seen redware manufactured in such a way in early nineteenth century New England like the sherds from this Cape Cod town.

The sherd shown above - demonstrates a very-good idea of what this company produced. Are there any thoughts towards the use or forms these potters may have manufactured? Myself and others have mixed and unproven thoughts of how this company's output may have appeared. Could Bradford-Parker have contributed to many of the Southeastern Massachusetts forms that most associate with potters working further west and north in the Bay State?

Southeastern Massachusetts Redware Jar

Early 19th Century

Discovered in a Westport, Ma Home

Lura Woodside Watkins only briefly discusses the West Barnstable manufactory in her book, "Early New England Potters and Their Wares." She described the work as similar to the "flower pots" made of the era in Kingston, Rhode Island.

Possible Kingston, RI Redware Flower Pot 

Near Mid 19th Century

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc - Boston

An interesting example of domestic redware was recently found in Rhode Island. The glaze style does not remind me of either the known potters working in East Greenwich, Rhode Island or those of whom worked around the Taunton River in Massachusetts. Could this sherd represent the work of the potters in West Barnstable or those in Kingston? Either way, very little is known of both area's pottery production.

The site location of discovery is many miles inland so there is really no way of seeing an import industry from local potters working within a fifty mile radius. Most exported their wares by a river or ocean into maritime communities. East Greenwich is about thirty miles away and likely the nearest known area of an earthenware business. Could these sherds be the work of the Upton Brothers who worked in East Greenwich?

Redware Sherds Found in Rhode Island

Likely a Domestic and Local Potter

Early 19th Century

The sherds are described as moderately potted with a thick green glaze and brown mottling. There is likely no true archaeological context.

The glaze style does not remind of any form or colors used by the known Rhode Island potters or those who worked just a bit further north in Massachusettss that I have seen. They appear more of a technique used even further north in northern New England. Could they be the work of the Bradford-Parker pottery or those who worked in Kingston, Rhode Island? What do you think? Any thoughts or suggestions? Is this a rare glaze not typically seen within this area? Could it be an experimental glaze?

The glaze is like nothing I have ever seen. It is utilitarian and likely made for a household use. Beyond that, there are a number of obvious potential questions.

What do you think!?

Plenty more to come...