The Line Waiting to Get Into the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association Show at 8:15am
Doors to the Show Opened at 10:00am
By 10:00 More Than 500 People Were in Line
I Was Number 108 to Enter the Show When It Started
A person came around and collected tickets from those who had been invited as a guest - while other people sold tickets and handed out numbers with show programs. Longtime collector, mentor and friend - Lewis Scranton of Killingworth, Connecticut was kind enough to invite me as a guest - so I already had a ticket for the show. I was given number 108, which meant I would be the 108th person to enter the show when it began. By the time 10:00am rolled around - there were more than 500 people in line that stretched the entire length of the Radisson Hotel at the Center of Manchester.
I'll spare you the rest of the details of the anticipation that happened as the show approached; although as soon as it started and I got in those doors - I quickly did a walk-around looking for any American-made red earthenware that may be of interest to me. I saw a few pieces, but nothing I could live without. Instead, I made my way over to Lew Scranton's room-like setup. When I got there - I saw one of the most incredible pieces of southeastern Massachusetts red earthenware I have ever seen. It appeared in pristine condition. It was covered in early incised decoration with lots of colors. I didn't even consider placing it down. Lew and myself conversed about it for a bit - and he told me he had just purchased it from Vermont antiques dealer, Michael Seward while they were setting up for the show the day before. Naturally, my instinct was to head over to speak with Michael about where this wonderful colorfully decorated pitcher came from - and as a result, I heard a very interesting story.
Michael told me it was purchased less than a week ago from a family who lives on the South Woodstock and Hartland, Vermont line. He told me he walked in their house - and their it was placed high atop a shelf. The family told him it wasn't initially for sale; however they eventually came to an agreement. Michael told me that it had descended in the family for years - and this is the first time it has ever been out of the family's possession before.
I am unquestionably quite proud of this piece. It's rare for many reasons and certainly early dating from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth-centuries. The pitcher may very-well be late eighteenth-century. Massachusetts and New York antiques dealer, Samuel Herrup was quite impressed with it.
After about two hours, I left the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association Show - and I headed out to the Collector's Fair (Show) that was only a few miles away, also in Manchester. I was in attendance for the start of this show yesterday. I knew a few well-known names would want to see it. I showed the pitcher to one of the most knowledgeable people I know on southeastern Massachusetts redware, Hilarly Nolan. His wife, Paulette (also extremely knowledgeable) also looked at it for me. There was an area that showed questionable restoration, but after Hilarly looked at it under a magnifying lens for ten or more minutes - he confirmed what I wished to hear - that there is zero restoration and this remarkable jar is completely original. These are the types of pieces that collectors, museums and alike dream of owning. I couldn't be happier.
Incredible SE Mass Red Earthenware Pitcher
Ca. 1780-1810
Stands 10" Tall
Look at All the Detailed Incised Decoration
There Is Zero Restoration
Recently Acquired by a Vermont Antiques Dealer from a Vermont Home
I Purchased It Today at the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association Show in Manchester, NH
Close-Up of the Handle
The Glaze is Absolutely Spectacular
Absolutely Incredible Glaze
View of the Interior Glaze
Ironically, a few years ago I purchased a similar glazed southeastern Massachusetts red earthenware jar, which may be from the same potter's business, also from Lew Scranton. He told me that jar was also purchased the day before from a dealer during setup. I am not skeptical to believe that jar may have also come from Michael Seward from the same family. I just haven't asked yet; although it would make sense since that jar was also fresh to the market - and both jars share similar characteristics. Much like today's jar - nobody had seen that jar before either. I'm thinking they are both from the same family. How's that for a provenance!
Incredible SE Mass Red Earthenware Handled Jar
Ca. 1780-1810
Stands 11" Tall
There Is Zero Restoration
Acquired by a Vermont Antiques Dealer from a Vermont Home
I Bought It 2 Years Ago at the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association Show in Manchester, NH
Close-Up of One of the Handles
View of the Interior Glaze
Here are the two jars together for a side-by-side comparison. They just look absolutely wonderful together. I feel very fortunate to own them both!
The Two Jars Side-By-Side
Both Jars Likely Descended Through a Vermont Family
I have so many wonderful stories from this week - I have only been able to tell a few; however its days like today and the people that you experience these days with that make it memorable. This is a pitcher and jar that I will hold onto forever. The pitcher is among my most favorite pieces of red earthenware I have ever seen anywhere - from private collections to museum holdings - it's just wonderful!
Please Stay Tuned…Much More to Come...
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