A New Collection of Essex County Made Red Earthenware Shards Found on the Waters River in Danversport, Massachusetts

Today I went back to a river in Danversport, Massachusetts where I have found success in the past with the abundance of red earthenware shards that consistently make their way onto the river's mud and rock-lined shore. It appears this river was a dumping ground for local trash in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In the past, I have discovered slip decorated shards that appear to have been from locally made plates. The manner in which the slip was applied is similar to shards Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares) collected from the site of the Kettle Pottery in Salem Village (now Peabody), Massachusetts - a site that is only a short distance from where I was today. The comparison is interesting since most of those products are from the early-to-mid eighteenth century. I think there is a good chance these shards are related to the Kettle family - and interestingly, among the shards I found today, were more examples of slip decoration.

Slip Decorated Shards Report

 Waters, River - Danversport, Ma

 Waters, River - Danversport, Ma

These following shards were all found on the surface level just as the tide had receded back from parts of the shore. It is likely the shards had surfaced from the cold winter and all the ice the area saw. I believe all of these shards are from the local businesses that successfully operated all-over Essex County in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The first two photos are more examples of slip decoration.

Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Shard - Probably a Plate

Possibly 18th Century, Otherwise Early 19th Century

Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Shard - Probably a Plate

Possibly 18th Century, Otherwise Early 19th Century

This next shard is photographed how it appeared when I walked up on it submerged in the mud a few feet away from the shoreline. It is large - probably measuring six or seven inches long. There is no glaze. It is probably the remains of a utilitarian crock, but what really peaked my attention about it is the thickness in-which it was potted. It is very thickly potted. This is the first instance I have seen anything this dense from an Essex County potter. I have reviewed a large collection of shards kept at the Narbonne House (National Parks Services) in Salem, Massachusetts - which represents a nice sample of products made in Essex County and none appear this thick. Its thickness reminds me of late seventeenth and early eighteenth century products made just to the south in Charlestown, Massachusetts - and regardless of its maker, it does appear early.

Probably 18th Century Red Earthenware Crock Shard

Unusually Thickly Potted for Products Made in Essex County

The most common glazes found in Essex County are what many of us refer to as Osborn Pottery products made in South Danvers (today known as Peabody), Massachusetts. Many of these products are decorated with red and black glazes. The Osborns are probably the most recognized potters by today's standards of who worked in Essex County. Below are shards decorated in a variety of colors that are not the typical colors associated with this area, but it is my belief they were all locally made.

 Dark Brown Glazed Shards

Late 18th or Early 19th Century

Probably Related to Essex County's Industry

 Brown, Red and Caramel Colored Glazes

Late 18th or Early 19th Century

Probably Related to Essex County's Industry

These following two shards are interesting; the first (left) is ovoid, which may indicate it is from a jug or a pitcher. It is decorated in a reddish and caramel glaze. The second demonstrates a pair of incised lines with a brownish glaze.

 (Left) Ovoid Shard with a Reddish and Caramel Glaze

Probably from a Jug or a Pitcher

(Right) Shard with a Pair of Incised Lines with a Brownish Glaze

Both Probably Related to Essex County's Industry

The rim on this next shard reminds me of rims placed on milk pans by some Maine potters in the nineteenth century. When I initially saw the shard, I wondered if there was an influence taken from Essex County that was then applied by the potters who used a similar rim in Maine. It is an interesting concept and theory to recognize - after all, Essex County was a training ground for many potters who eventually migrated north of Massachusetts for work.

 Brown Glazed Shard with an Interesting Rim that is Similar to some Milk Pan Rims made in Maine

Together with a Black Glazed Shard

Both Probably Related to Essex County's Industry

Another Angle of the Rim

Please Stay Tuned for Much More...