As part of my research and discovery in Merrimacport - I have found a large selection of red earthenware shards that are likely the output of Pecker's company. I have written extensively in the past week about William Pecker, "The Stoneware Potter" - today, I am going to write about William Pecker, "The Red Earthenware Potter."
All of the following shards were discovered on the shore of the Merrimac River in Merrimacport, where Pecker probably discarded much of his kiln waste. Some were also found at the base of a cliff that is likely at the bottom of where Pecker used to fire his kilns. None of these shards were dug.
Just to restate what I just said - All of the shards were either A) found in shallow water in the Merrimac River, B) found on the rock lined shore of the Merrimac River or C) taken from the base of a cliff that I believe leads up to where Pecker operated his kilns. They were all found in the same location.
My interest here isn't necessarily to define all the vibrant glaze colors that Pecker used, but to rather prove that he made a large amount of forms in his thirty-plus year career as a business owner - and only a small percentage of his output is accurately attributed today. This study of Pecker can also be applied to the Maine potters of which we know today. It's in my opinion that Pecker's business approach can relate to how we perceive many of the Maine potters today, who came after Pecker's death in 1820.
Take a look at some of the shards -- this is an ongoing project so there will be much-more to see in the future. This is just a start into my study of who the potter, William Pecker really was. Pecker was first employed in West Amesbury in 1784, when he began to work under his brother in-law, Benjamin Dodge - but it is my belief Pecker actually trained (apprenticed) as a potter before the American Revolution making him a colonial potter. He was born in 1758 in Haverhill, Massachusetts - and prior to his work in 1784 in West Amesbury - he likely worked elsewhere in Massachusetts that may predate 1770. Some of the following shards may date from the late eighteenth-century.
Base of a Dark Brown Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Shard (Possibly Manganese)
Ca. Early 19th Century
Base of a Dark Brown Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Shard (Possibly Manganese)
Ca. Early 19th Century
Orange Glazed Exterior of Red Earthenware Jug Shard
Ca. Early 19th Century
Orange Glazed Interior of Red Earthenware Jug Shard with a Manganese (Brown) Brush Stroke
Ca. Early 19th Century
Green Glazed Red Earthenware Shard
Ca. Early 19th Century
Yellow and Brown Glazed Interior Shard of a Red Earthenware Crock
Ca. Early 19th Century
Thickly Potted, Shallow Crock Shard
This is the Exterior
Late 18th or Early 19th Century
Thickly Potted, Shallow Crock Shard
This is the Interior
Late 18th or Early 19th Century
Exterior of a Brown Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Shard
Ca. Early 19th Century
Interior of a Brown Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Shard
Ca. Early 19th Century
(Left) Brown and Greenish Glazed Red Earthenware Milk Pan Shard
(Right) Appears Slip Decorated Shard to a Base of an Unknown Form
Both Ca. Early 19th Century
Gold, Green and Black Glazed Red Earthenware Crock Shard
Ca. Early 19th Century
Black Glazed Red Earthenware Shards with Kiln Furniture
All. Ca. Early 19th Century
Variety of Glazed Red Earthenware Shards
All Ca. Early 19th Century
Variety of Glazed Red Earthenware Shards
(Top) The Green is Especially Nice
All Ca. Early 19th Century
Kiln Brick
Ca. Early 19th Century
I assume some of you reading this are surprised to see these colors - nothing like this has ever been attributed to William Pecker before. This is only a sample. I promise there is more to come with even more vibrant glazes, unexpected forms and surprises!
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
No comments:
Post a Comment