I have taken into consideration many possible origins with the dated 1865 slip decorated earthenware pitcher. I feel the key characteristics are the handle and the rounded foot. The manner in which the handle was applied is really an Americanized form. I have considered possible English, Spanish, German, Swiss, French, Bulgarian and Lithuanian makers - and none that I can see, demonstrate either of these characteristics in this style. The way the slip was also applied is seen by earthenware makers all over America. The wavy and straight line decoration was used by potters in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania - and by potters of many more backgrounds all over the east coast.
19th Century Earthenware Pitcher
Probably a Highly-Skilled American Potter
8 3/4 Inches Tall
8 3/4 Inches Tall
Wonderful Use of Slip Decoration
Dated on Bottom -1865- and Possibly Signed (See First Report)
In the previous report, I showed the base, which was covered in kaolin clay. Kaolin is used to make slip decoration, clay pipes, refined ceramics and sometimes other means of pottery. For the base to have been covered in kaolin, I feel the pitcher must have been near a large kaolin source or inside a kiln that fired many white clay products. From here, I thought about where white clays were most used in 1865. Southern potters used plenty of kaolin to produce porclain and related products in the nineteenth century. There were abundant sources of kaolin in South Carolina and Georgia that were harvested. South Carolina porcelain manufacturers used the white clays in the 1850s and 1860s, which also happens to coincide with when the pitcher is dated. Kaolin was also used by the state's stoneware potters for ornamental slip decoration. I have considered the pitcher may be a southern product - and I would not be surprised to find out if it is.
Below the kaolin is a light colored clay. Similar pale colored clays are associated with Southern Maine, parts of New York, Rhode Island and Virginia - but that shouldn't mean these colored clays were not seen from additional American potters.
A very interesting characteristic which should be noted is where ever the slip was applied in a wavy or straight line decoration on the pitcher - it appears to have either been incised before the slip was applied or the slip cup (what applies the slip) was dug into the clay. It is very smoothly done. The potter was obviously skilled. The pitcher is also thinly potted.
The lead glaze also appears American. I know that's a bold statement, but it just has that certain feel and look to it. It has the same appearance that William Pecker's lead glaze showed on the jugs he made in Merrimacport, Massachusetts in the early nineteenth century. It really gives a thick glass-like appearance to it.
An obvious characteristic is the boldly slip decorated interior. Not many potters applied this type of decoration to their wares. It was probably expensive to use this amount of slip on the interior - especially since that part of the pitcher was not really seen when it was displayed in a formal setting. It had to have been a special piece for the potter to put this amount of effort into it.
I did find a slip decorated pitcher attributed to the Valley of Virginia that Jeffrey Evans auctioned off a few years ago.The pitcher dates about forty years before the pitcher of discussion was manufactured, but between the Valley of Virginia pitcher and the stew pot in the previous report - it shows slip decorated interiors were used by nineteenth century American potters.
The Virginia pitcher is described as a kaolin clay. That is exactly how I would like to describe the yellow and red pitcher above. I wouldn't be surprised to find out if the pitcher was made in Virginia.
Valley of Virginia Earthenware Pitcher
Ca. 1800-1820
Described as a Kaolin Clay Product
Probably Wythe or Smyth County, Va
Possibly Augusta County, Va
Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey Evans & Associates - Mt Crawford, Va
Light Colored Clay Similar to the Above Pitcher
Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey Evans & Associates - Mt Crawford, Va
Here is more information about the Valley of Virginia pitcher.
A nearly identical stoneware form is seen in Diana and Garrison Stradling's book, The Art of the Potter. It is attributed to the Hartford, Connecticut area. The body, rounded foot, lip, placement of the handle and the incised lines are all very similar to the slip decorated pitcher. I also wouldn't be surprised to hear the pitcher was made by a Connecticut potter. After-all, that is where it was found.
Hartford, Ct Stoneware Pitcher
Ca. 1800-1820
Notice the Form When Compared to the Earthenware Pitcher Above
Notice the Form When Compared to the Earthenware Pitcher Above
Photo Courtesy: The Art of the Potter, Stradling, 1977
I personally feel the slip decorated pitcher is either a product of a Connecticut or a Southern American potter. Feedback is always welcome! The form of the stoneware pitcher in the last photo really shows all the characteristics of the earthenware pitcher. There are really a lot of similarities, but the use of kaolin and the quality of slip decoration make it appear more southern. The clay color also makes it seem southern rather than from a Connecticut potter. It is a very interesting piece!
Much More to Come...
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