A Rare Inkwell Made in Bristol County, Massachusetts in the Late-Eighteenth or the Early-Nineteenth-Century

When I think of utilitarian pottery made in the southeastern region of Massachusetts (Bristol County) in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries today - a major collection that comes to mind is the collection of Paulette and Hilary Nolan of Cape Cod Massachusetts. The Nolans began collecting decades ago with incredible stories they can share today about discovering fine examples of pottery made all-over New England in early contexts. However, their true passion remained with the pottery that was made closest to home that was manufactured in the southeastern part of the state. This region,  that surrounded the Taunton River is known today to have employed at least forty-two documented potters (there were very-likely more), who produced mostly red earthenware in places like Somerset, Swansea, Berkely, Taunton and Barnstable (Cape Cod). The heart of this production appears to have happened in Somerset, where there were at-least twenty-eight documented potters with ties that can be traced back to the industry in Essex County or South Danvers (today known as Peabody), Massachusetts. The names Chace and Purinton were the dominant families during this utilitarian movement. The city of Taunton also supported a stoneware industry. Interestingly, any kind of production that may have occurred in nearby New Bedford (major maritime community) is thought to be very-limited today; although, a large amount of the aforementioned production has been discovered in various locations in this city over the years.

Map of Southeastern Massachusetts that Shows the Locations of the Production Centers in the Area

There Were Likely Other Places, Too, But These Were the Main Locations

Photo Courtesy: Google Maps

The Nolans sold their collection of redware in 2004 at Northeast Auctions annual Americana sale held in Manchester, New Hampshire. The collection was highly sought after by collectors from all over the country that included people from Virginia, Pennsylvania to areas all-over New England. It is my opinion that this was the most important collection of pottery ever assembled that was made up of predominantly red earthenware made in Southeastern Massachusetts. What was unique about this collection versus other prized collections is much of this collection was personally picked by the Nolan's in the 1970's, the 1980's and the 1990's - concluding with the sale in 2004, which provided collectors, museums and dealers their first true opportunity to purchase many of these wonderful objects in a public sale.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts antique dealer and collector, Brian Cullity expressed his feelings towards this collection and what it meant to the Nolan's in a well-written narrative that preceded the collection in the auction catalogue.

August, 2004

"Collecting Americana has been a passion in this county for well over one hundred years, yet it is only within the past two or three decades, that the beauty, form and rarity of New England redware has registered with most contemporary collectors and dealers.  Hilary and Paulette Nolan were fortunate to have been inspired thirty years ago by the singular elegance and splendor of these utilitarian  objects and the ensuring years have resulted in a grouping of eye dazzling beauty which is now being offered in its entirety in this sale.  Their attention on the truly magnificent symmetry, form, and above all, the colors achieved by the eighteenth and nineteenth century New England potters is a testament to their collection and focus in the assemblage of this significant collection.

As with any collecting journey, insights and revelations would build an awareness and deeper understanding of the artists who created these pieces and parts of the puzzle would fall into place as time progressed. While the majority of the collection is focused on Bristol County, Massachusetts and neighboring Rhode Island, some outstanding pieces of other regional New England centers are also to be found in the offerings. Rare forms with a rainbow of colors came from a diversity of sources,  from old time dealers such as I.M. Wiese, to pieces found at local flea markets or even the town landfill.

Charlotte Cook of Little Compton, Rhode Island was an early source and fountain of knowledge. Mrs. Clark of New Bedford, while no longer living in the 1970's certainly helped with establishing the importance and desirability of these ceramic objects. Most likely, the Nolans have concluded, it was her marketing of redware through her shop in New Bedford in the first half of the twentieth century that cemented the name, "New Bedford Pottery" into the lexicon of the antiques world. Her son, who Hilary and Paulette met in Rhode Island confirmed that the bright orange crayon prices found on the bottom of some redware pieces were placed there by Mrs. Clark. Surprisingly, these were not cheap objects even then. My personal association with Hilarly and Paulette began with the loan of several pieces of redware from their collection for an exhibit at Heritage Plantation in 1991. Their input and generosity to the show were essential to the success it achieved.

The catalogue entries written by Hilarly and Paulette contain valuable information on provenance and their personal insights on various pieces. What they have not included are the resounding accolades of friends and associates, scientists, fishermen and the casual visitor who have all responded in similar manner to this outstanding collection. One need not be an antiquarian to appreciate the timeless beauty of these art objects. They speak to anyone who takes the time to stand back and enjoy the fruits of our gifted ancestor' craftsmanship and artistry.

The motivations for parting with this collection are many, but best summed up by Hilarly and Paulette - We are moving on to building barns, bigger boats and our beloved brown dogs. May our redware bring others the happiness it has given to us all these years."

Brian Cullity
Sagamore, Massachusetts

As part of Crocker Farm's upcoming sale this weekend in Sparks, Maryland - is a wonderful Bristol County-made red earthenware inkwell that was formerly a part of the Nolan's collection. It was consigned to the auction house from a collection of inkwells. It likely dates from the late-eighteenth-century (circa 1780-1820), but it may be a little later. According to Crocker Farm, "...It came from an inkwell collection that had been amassed over the last thirty-years." The inkwell was originally owned by an antique collector and dealer, I.M. Wiese who lived in Southbury, Connecticut before it was owned by the Nolans (this dealer is referenced by Brian Cullity above).

Here is a link to the auction listing.

 18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Inkwell Made in Bristol County, Mass.

Ca. 1780-1820

Ex-Hilarly & Paulette Nolan Collection

Stands 3" Tall

Measures 3 1/2" Wide
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm, Inc. - Sparks, MD

 Another View of the Inkwell
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm, Inc. - Sparks, MD

 Another View of the Inkwell
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm, Inc. - Sparks, MD

Another View of the Inkwell
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm, Inc. - Sparks, MD

Brian Cullity assembled an important museum exhibit at the Sandwich, Museum on Cape Cod in the early 1990's; he has told me stories of how he drove around to various museums and private collections from the southern states, to the mid-Atlantic region, to New Jersey, New York, and further north, into New England taking on loan, important pieces to exhibit as part of his region-to-region exhibit. A book accompanied this exhibit, Slipped and Glazed: Regional American Redware (1991), which showed all of the pieces (many color photos) that were on display, which included the inkwell of discussion  seen in figure number thirty-three. Accompanying the description of the inkwell in the book is this statement that paints the picture of the rarity of some forms today, "Potter's day books occasionally record the requests for unusual orders --- such as this inkwell."

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...