A Great Discovery Today from a Picker in New Hampshire

I think it is fair to say that the nineteenth-centurypotters in central Massachusetts are often overshadowed today by the potters, who worked in eastern Massachusetts; however that should not discredit any of the pottery that was made in this part of the state. Utilitarian potters in Worcester County can be traced back before 1750, where they produced all sorts of red earthenware.

In the nineteenth-century, there was also a stoneware industry, and some of these potters can be traced to businesses elsewhere in New England in places like Vermont and New Hampshire. However, when the potters industry altered its appearance at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth-century - potters like William J. Wally (Sterling, Massachusetts) were at the forefront of the Art Pottery Movement. I personally enjoy Walley Pottery today since Walley was a utilitarian potter, who adapted his business to the ever-changing needs of the industry.

While traveling through parts of New Hampshire today - I came across an incredible example of red earthenware made in East Brookfield, Massachusetts at the end of the nineteenth-century. I am not positive about the form, but it appears like it would have held an inkwell and sander.

What's absolutely incredible about this find is it has been personalized by the potter; three incised boxes have been placed around the exterior. One box is plain, another has a cross placed inside of it that makes the box appear like a window - and the third box, which has been placed directly on the back is inscribed, "East  Brook Field 1895."

I was given a tip about this piece by an antique dealer who owns R.S. Butler's Trading Company in Northwood, New Hampshire earlier today. She told me a picker recently found it in a home in New Hampshire and the picker had offered it to her for sale. She didn't really have much of an interest, but she pointed me in the object's direction when I saw her today. Needless to say, I was pretty excited when I finally found it this afternoon.

R.S. Butler's Trading Company in Northwood, NH

When I got home - I was showing it to my mother and father - and I noticed on the base it read, "Made by…" but the rest was covered in some kind of gold material. My initial reaction was to remove it - and that's when it got even more exciting. I could clearly see more inscribed writing. I quickly grabbed some flour out of the refrigerator and placed it over the inscription, which made it more legible - it read, "Made by Charles J. Potter (or Porter) East Brookfield Mass." NOW THAT'S EXCITING!

Any type of signed utilitarian pottery is extremely rare today. The amount of writing on this inkwell holder is even rarer.

 Front of the Red Earthenware Form - Likely an Inkwell Holder

Made in East Brookfield, Mass in 1895

Measures 4 1/2" Long

Measures 3" at its Widest Width

Measures 2" at its Shortest Width

Measures 2 1/4" Tall

View of the Side

Notice the Box that Looks Like a Window

 View of the Interior

 The Back Box Reads, "East Brook Field 1895"

 The Base Reads, "Made by Charles J. Potter (or Porter) East Brookfield Mass

View of the Base

This is far from a common New England form. Inkwells were popular in many areas of New England, but this type of form is seldomly seen. I think its an incredible find - and I am quite excited over it!

Please Stay Tuned…Much More to Come...