American Merchants Tied in with 19th Century European and American Ceramic Manufacturers - A General Study

While visiting a group of shops on the Maine seacoast this weekend - I came across a rather interesting molded earthenware pitcher. I have never seen anything quite like it before. The base read, Amos Seaver, Chelsea. According to the tag that accompanied the pitcher; Mid-1800s Stoneware, Black Satin-Glaze, Pitcher by Amos Seaver of Chelsea, Molded Decorations, Squat Spherical Body, 8 Vertical Sections, Applied Handle, Mint Condition, Related Item with Similar Decoration is in the Brooklyn Museum (New York). The asking price was $295.

It is my belief the pitcher probably dates from around the mid-nineteenth century. I have done a bunch of background research on the name Amos Seaver - and in theory Seaver was not actually a potter, but rather a merchant. He was probably working in Chelsea, Massachusetts. I have seen similar inked and impressed stamps from various nineteenth century merchants throughout the northeast. The products varied, but the stamps were usually consistent. In this case, the potter probably applied the stamp as the product was made. The potter may have taken a commission from many merchants and this is how they would keep track of their output. Its a similar idea American potters used with matching numbers placed on lidded forms. I have seen similar red earthenware pitchers made in other parts of the country; however I do not tie this form to any New England potters - especially since it is not a red earthenware product.

The York, Maine auctioneer, Hap Moore sold a similar earthenware pitcher at a sale held in August of 2008. Hap Moore prides himself on fresh-to-market antiques from local New England households - many of which have never been offered for sale in an antique dealer and collector environment. I assume this is the same pitcher of discussion, which probably means it is from a local Maine, New Hampshire or northern Massachusetts household.

(Please excuse the photo quality - I used my iPhone to take these two pictures)

 19th Century Molded Earthenware Pitcher

Ca. 1840-1880

Interesting Decoration in Relief
Probably an English Manufacturer

Seen in a Shop in Ogunquit, Me

Asking Price: $295

 Stamped - Amos Seaver, Chelsea on Base
Seaver was Likely a Chelsea, Ma Merchant

The New Hampshire  Historical Society owns a pitcher of a similar idea as part of its collection. It is attributed to Jeremiah Burpee of Boscowan, New Hampshire. I understand there is an attribution to Burpee, but I have speculated in the past that the Burpee Pottery may have sold its red earthenware products along with English earthenware imports. I am indecisive on which category the Historical Society's pitcher would fall under. Burpee only traditionally worked with red earthenware and the NHHSO's example may be a different colored clay - which leads to a possible English manufacturer. This piece does not bear a stamp on its base, but it would be fascinating if it did read something related to the Burpee Pottery and Boscowan. I think there's a lot of confusion as to what the Burpee Pottery's true identity was. Important and early publications have helped contribute to this confusion due to Burpee Pottery attributions that are actually English products imported throughout coastal New England. Burpee Pottery should not be regarded as anything more than a business that produced and sold traditional utilitarian pottery. The Burpee name may also be linked to both a potter and a merchant, but I am yet to validate this idea. Many eighteenth-century successful potters acted as both merchants and potters like Anthony Duché in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Isaac & Grace Parker in Charlestown, Massachusetts and Samuel Marshall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

19th Century Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Jeremiah Burpee - Boscowan, NH

Ca. 1830-1860
No Stamp or Signature

Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society - Concord, NH

I happen to own a pair (not matching) of nineteenth century red earthenware teapots that were made at one of the factories in England. One example bears the mark of a probable New York City merchant - while the other is not marked. Both of these are examples of English imports brought into coastal American cities during the nineteenth century. Each were probably molded - and likely ordered by a merchant. The unmarked teapot was found in Maine last year - while the other was purchased from Cape Cod antiques dealer, Brian Cullity some-time ago.

The mark reads - James M. Shaw & Co, New York.

 Pair of 19th Century Red Earthenware Molded Teapots

Probably English Manufacturers

Ca. 1850-1880

Larger Teapot Stamped - James M. Shaw & Co, New York

Purchased from Brian Cullity Antiques - Sagamore, Ma

This is not the only occasion I have seen a mark from James M. Shaw & Co. The Shaw company name and the St. Regis hotel in New York City is stamped on the base of a ceramic bowl seen below. Also stamped is the ceramic brand, Warwick China and the date, 1930. This was likely a very-large order placed by the hotel through James M. Shaw & Co. around 1930.

A Little Bit of Information About the St. Regis Hotel

It took three years for the hotel to complete its construction, which began in 1901 - before finally opening in 1904. In 1930, the hotel was eighteen stories high and modeled after a French Beaux-Arts style hotel. It was built as a sister-hotel by one of America's richest men (John Jacob Astor IV) to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel (also in New York). Here is a link to the present-day hotel.

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With this understanding - and the idea the retailer James M. Shaw was involved with such a prestigious New York City operation, lends me the idea that the Shaw name was prestigious among American merchants and the American consumer (marketplace). The Shaw name may have only sold what it regarded to be the best American-made and imported European products - and this is what I believe many of the merchant impressed wares were about. Most the names placed on nineteenth century products - were successful businessmen, with the means to bring high-quality products into America. These same merchants sometimes contracted with domestic manufacturers to provide high-end American products to the local marketplace.

 Warwick China Ceramic Bowl Made for the St. Regis Hotel in NYC, NY

Ca. 1930
Possibly Made in East Liverpool, Oh

Photo Courtesy: Ebay

James M. Shaw & Co - Merchant Stamp

Photo Courtesy: Ebay

I have put some research into who James M. Shaw was, but I have not been successful into tying him with any English or American potters. In fact, I haven't been able to find much information about his background at all. His business may date back to colonial America. The Shaw name may have descended through the years under family ownership - or he may have been a nineteenth century merchant who continued to work into the twentieth century. That is still under research.

This is the second teapot in this form I have seen with Shaw's name impressed into it. The other is in another private New England collection. I believe the black teapots above date between 1850-1880 - so I would probably like to learn more about the ownership of this company since a Shaw stamp is seen on a dated ceramic bowl in 1930 - tied in with one of New York City's most prominent hotels and wealthiest Americans. My questions would really revolve around how far the name James M. Shaw & Co. dates back and how far into the twentieth-century it is seen.

Anyone who may be interested in the earthenware pitcher stamped, Amos Seaver - may contact the antique shop, Blacksmith's Mall at the center of Ogunquit, Maine on Route 1 - (207) 646-9643. I assume it is an English manufacturer with a stamp from an important American merchant. I have never seen anything else like it before. The name Seaver may have been equally prominent in Boston as was Shaw in New York City. I would buy it, but it doesn't currently fit into my collecting, writing or study needs. I think it's definitely worth it!

Much More to Come...