The Continued Study of a Highly Slip Decorated Earthenware Pitcher - Part 3

Earthenware Pitcher Report 1
Earthenware Pitcher Report 2

There has been some significant feedback towards the slip decorated earthenware pitcher, but no definitive answer, yet. I have checked with a group of professionals from South Carolina and the overall southern states - and they have felt the earthenware pitcher is not a product of the south. At this point, I think the likeliest possibilities are a Connecticut or English manufacturer. Unfortunately, I have not been able to determine where kaolin was used in either area. I have been able to find similar forms in both areas, but the products are either made of redware or stoneware. In both instances, there is no use of kaolin. Here is evidence from both region that may support the idea of the pitcher's origin of production.

19th Century Slip Decorated Earthenware Pitcher

Origin Still Unknown, Possibly American, Possibly European

Dated -1865- on Base

CONNECTICUT 19TH CENTURY POTTERS
Western Connecticut has a history of potteries producing refined ceramic products in the later years of the the nineteenth century. Porcelain, semi-porclain and art potter were all made after 1875 - and I ask, if these types of products were manufactured; why could a heavily slip decorated pitcher dated 1865 not have been apart of the output from Connecticut's post 1850 industries? The proper white clay was used later on - and its widespread use was seen in many states as the Arts and Crafts Movement progressed into the twentieth century.

According to Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), production of semi porcelain was made in Connecticut during the latter years of the nineteenth century.

"A pottery in New Milford, Connecticut, which ran well into the 20th century, as organized as a stock company in 1886 and called the New Milford Pottery Company. Its first products were ordinary white ware and semiopaque China. The white ware was marked with a square including the lettering N.M.P.Co. or the initials L&S in a circle. The latter stood for Lang & Schafer, the New York agents for whom the China was made.

The name of the works changed to the Wannopee Pottery Company - a style that was still in use in 1904. During this period "Duchess" ware, characterized by mottled glazes, and porcelain were produced. A letter W in a sunburst was the mark of Duchess ware, while a sunburst with the word Porcelain, the letter W in the center, and W.P.Co. below appears on porcelain.

Wannopee Pottery Earthenware Candlesicks - New Milford, Ct

Ca. 1892-1900

"Duchess" Ware" 

Photo Courtesy: Cowan's Auctions - Cincinnati, Oh

Wannopee Pottery Earthenware Vase - New Milford, Ct

Ca. 1892-1900

"Duchess" Ware"

Photo Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

Wannopee Pottery Eartheneware Vase - New Milford, Ct

Ca. 1892-1900

"Duchess" Ware"

Photo Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

...The Park Lane Pottery (also in Connecticut) produced, about 1895, some semi-porcelain pitchers with a smear or a dull glaze slightly resembling Parian Ware. These were white except for a band of brown leaves in relief at the top and another of greenish yellow at the base."

Bennington, Vt Parian Ware, But Similar to the Product Discussed in Connecticut

19th Century

Photo Courtesy: Early American Craftsman, Dyer, 1915

In these instances - it is encouraging to see the use of refined white ceramics in Connecticut despite all the products emerging after 1875 during the Arts and Crafts Movement.

ENGLISH 19TH CENTURY POTTERS

I stumbled onto this redware pitcher by accident, but the form and handle placement are very similar to the pitcher of discussion. There may be a relationship, but the type of clay is completely different.

19th Century English Trail Slipped Pitcher

Similar Form to the Pitcher of Discussion

However, Clay Type is Very Different

Photo Courtesy: rhrising.blogspot.com

There are other forms of English earthenware that can be mentioned for the sake of this discussion, but the handle is really what places this pitcher into an overall wide-spread discussion.

 Handle of Earthenware Pitcher
This is the Characteristic Which Makes It Appear American

Mid-19th Century English Marbleized Agate Pitcher

Form is the Same Idea - But There Are Many Contrasting Characteristics

Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup Antiques - Sheffield, Ma

A similar use of colors is seen on this English redware inkwell, which Crocker Farm, Inc. sold in October of 2009.

Mid-19th Century English Redware Inkwell

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm, Inc - Sparks, Md

Overall, I think it is interesting to see the use of white clays in Connecticut during the second half of the nineteenth century. A similar clay source was used to manufacture the earthenware pitcher. Connecticut is also where the pitcher was found. The form is very similar to some Connecticut stoneware potters, who worked in the Hartford area, but the manner in which the slip was applied is similar to how some Connecticut redware potters applied their slip. It is also very similar to the incised decoration used by some Essex County Massachusetts potters in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. However, I certainly do see the argument for an English potter. I have just been unable to find any substantial evidence to persuade myself in either direction, yet.

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