Today marked yet another visit to Todd's Farm Flea Market in Rowley, Massachusetts; the flea market is held outdoors each Sunday (early spring to late fall) and there is always a possibility that something can be found. You will never know unless you look. The flea market always starts before dawn and continues into the early afternoon (or until everybody leaves). I've never shown up while it was still dark out; however I am usually en route while the sun is on its way up. I've seen some beautiful sunrises this summer. It was absolutely packed today. There were hundreds of dealers who drove from all over New England - many who brought fresh antiques recently removed from homes, barns and where ever else they could have been pulled from.
Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, Ma
Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, Ma
Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, Ma
Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, Ma
Only a matter of minutes after I arrived, I spotted this fabulous red earthenware miniature pitcher or possibly a creamer. The dealer told me she found it buried in a home in Byfield, Massachusetts (a few towns south of Newburyport heading towards Boston). She said it was in a box full of glass. The form's top reminds me of an ancient ewer; although the body and base appears unique. I would say it dates after 1850 because that is when ancient forms became fashionable here in America.
19th Century New England-Made Red Earthenware Pitcher or Creamer
Found Today at Todd's Farm Flea Market in Rowley, Ma
Originally Found in a Byfield, Ma Home
Ca. 1860-1880
Stands 2 3/4" Tall
View of the Front and Spout
Close Up of the Spout
View of the Base
Base 2 3/8" Wide
A View of the Pitcher/Creamer Without Any Light
View of the Unusual Foot
Close Up of the Foot
View of the Neck and Top
Another View of the Top
View of the Interior
I would also like to show the color of the glaze when a camera flash is used. Aside from a great form, it's also quite a colorful piece!
The Glaze Color When a Camera Flash Is Used
If you notice - there is a small amount of clay that has been exposed from use around the rim; if you look closely you will see a light colored clay with a gray interior. I have been taught that the gray interior is all a result of chemistry inside the potter's kiln. It can technically happen with any potter's products; however most sherds I have analyzed from Philadelphia to Maine and elsewhere do not show this characteristic. But, it is regularly seen on sherds I have collected from Charles A. Lawrence's business in Beverly, Massachusetts after 1866. Interestingly, the clay color on all the Beverly sherds I have handled match the exposed clay seen around the rim on the piece I found today. Since this glaze and form have never been attributed to Beverly before - I am not necessarily saying the pitcher or creamer was made in Beverly - I think you should be your own judge on that. It's just really interesting to see!
C.A. Lawrence Pottery Red Earthenware Sherds - Beverly, Ma
Ca. 1870s, 1880s or 1890s
Notice the Clay Color and the Gray Interior
Notice the Clay Color and the Gray Interior
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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