A Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar from an Unknown Possible 19th Century Maker

"Slip decoration does not appear to have been practiced by the English potters to any extent prior to the middle of the seventeenth century…One of the earliest varieties of slip ware was decorated by combing. While the body was still moist a slip of another color was poured upon the clay…which produced a marbled or veined effect in two colours…True slip-decorated pottery was produced at various places in England (17th & 18th centuries), which included Wrotham slip, Metroplolitan slip, Staffordshire slip and Derby slip. The earliest known piece of slip (as of 1907 in America) was found in Pennsylvania in the form of a shaving dish discovered in Lancaster County, bearing the date of 1733."

(Lead Glazed Pottery, Edwin Atlee Barber, 1907, NY - Doubleday, Page & Company)

Late 18th or Early 19th Century English Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

This is the Marbleized Effect Discussed Above

Photo Courtesy: Northeast Auctions - Portsmouth, NH

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Among the earliest examples of slip decoration discovered in New England is a large bowl with a slip decorated interior and an unglazed exterior. The bowl was found inside a 1770 archaeological context within a privy at the Three Cranes Tavern in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The tavern (along with part of Charlestown) was excavated as part of the Big Dig project in the 1980s. According to the archaeology reports, the maker is not known. The tavern was originally built for Governor John Winthrop after his arrival in 1630; however he soon left for Boston and the house was turned into Long's Ordinary (ordinary being the Old World word for tavern). By the end of the seventeenth century, it had gone through another name change when it became the Three Cranes Tavern. It would remain under this name until the Battle of Bunker Hill happened on June 17, 1775. The tavern provided shelter and festivities for a broad group of visitors over the years. It witnessed much of the revolutionary turmoil that happened across the river in Boston in the 1700s.

18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

Found in a 1770 Context in Charlestown, Ma
Measures 15" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Massachusetts Historical Commission - Boston, Ma
Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Ma

Slip decoration was probably most popular with American potters before 1800, where afterwards in some regions its use began to decline. The technique did remain strong in Pennsylvania throughout the nineteenth century. In England, country potters in areas like Buckley, Sussex, South Wales and Fremington continued with its use.

Last summer, I found this jar at a local flea market. The dealer told me it was found in a local home. I initially thought it was a product of Thomas Nickerson's Merrimac Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts. As I have previously discussed, Merrimac Pottery worked with a paper label before 1902 and afterwards, an impressed stamp was used. I figured the paper label may have fallen off and it was now lost. The form, slip decoration and diminutive handles are all characteristics sometimes used at the Merrimac Pottery Company. My idea was ruled out the other day when Jim Messineo of JMW Gallery in Boston said the jar appears earlier than when Thomas Nickerson operated in Newburyport. He said he could see the argument for a  Merrimac attribution, but he felt it was earlier. JMW Gallery has specialized in the pottery made during the Arts and Crafts Movement (1860-1930s)  for more than twenty-years - with a special emphasis given to the products made in Massachusetts. Based on that information, I now feel it must be a European product and seeing it is made of red earthenware leads me to believe it may be the product of a nineteenth century English country potter. Unfortunately, it's a form I am not familiar with.

  (Left) Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Handled Jar with a Clear Lead Glaze

Possibly an English Potter

Likely 19th Century

Measures 6 3/4" Tall

(Right) Slip Decorated Earthenware Pitcher with a Clear Lead Body Glaze

The Interior is Completely Covered in Slip

Dated on Base, "1865"

  Red Earthenware Base Cut at an Angle

 Clear Lead Glazed Interior

 Interesting Form and Diminutive Applied Handles

Large amounts of slip were used by country potters all over England and throughout parts of continental Europe. The technique is still in use today by some country potters. The manufacturer of this jar is not known, but I thought it would be an interesting slip decorated jar for discussion. The amount of slip used, the dark color of the clay and the lead glazed interior all suggest a possible English potter to me; although potters elsewhere in Europe should not be ruled out. I would love any feedback if there are any comments or suggestions. Thanks for reading!

Much More to Come...