EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A Rare Formed Large 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Originally Discovered in Dover, New Hampshire

Saturday, April 11, 2015

A Rare Formed Large 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Originally Discovered in Dover, New Hampshire

A few years ago, this nineteenth-century lidded red earthenware pitcher surprisingly appeared at an antique show in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; however, the dealer told me that he had originally discovered it nearby in Dover, New Hampshire. I had never seen the form before - so, I couldn't resist buying it for my collection. And, to this day, I only know of two other related pitchers, but those pitchers are not the size of this pitcher even though they demonstrate a similar form, handle and cupped base. The other pitchers currently reside in a private Connecticut collection and a private New Hampshire collection. The pitcher in the New Hampshire collection was originally discovered in Kittery, Maine. The pitcher in the Connecticut collection has jumped around from one prominent private collection to the next - so, unfortunately, I do not know where it was originally found even though it has remained in New England collections in recent years. Interestingly, each pitcher demonstrates a different glaze; the pitcher in Connecticut is mixed with bright colorful glazes - while, the pitcher in New Hampshire is decorated with different shades of brown.

What makes the pitcher in tonight's report special is the overall form, the unusual formed lid (which was made to also cover the pouring spout) and the support handle on the front. I have never seen another piece of redware with a support handle before. The fact that the lid was made to cover the pouring spout leads me to believe that this pitcher may have been intended to hold some sort of 'hot' liquid and the oddly formed lid may have helped contain the heat since it covered the pouring spout. But, the lid may have also covered the pouring spout to help prevent spills. I have never seen another lid produced in this form since. This is the only lid that I know of today made in this form.

I have also never been able to determine a true maker or region for where this pitcher was made - even though, I'd like to believe it was made in New England since the only examples that I know of today have all been found in New England - and/or, they also all currently reside in New England. I've wondered for a few years now if this could be a really rare Maine form, but I have also wondered if these pitchers could have been made elsewhere.

I've written in the past that I try to buy pottery on three basic principles - 1) maker or region, 2) skill, form or rarity and 3) glaze color. This pitcher is an example of a potter's true skill mixed in with a wonderful, rare form. Simply put, I bought it because I liked it, but I still hope to learn more about it in the future. Any thoughts or ideas are more than welcome!