A Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Inkwell Holder Discovered on the Maine Seacoast Today

On my way home today, from the coastal Maine flea markets, I stopped into a few random shops along Route 1 between Wiscasset, Maine and York, Maine. I was just handling a piece that I found in one of these shops a few minutes ago - and, I felt it was worth showing.

The form appears to me to be a wheel-thrown black glazed red earthenware inkwell holder. It's a well-made piece with a footed base. What really drew my attention to this piece was the stamped base, which is stamped with the number '145;' however, the number is actually made from three separate stamps - the numbers, 1, 4 and 5 were used. A similar technique was used at the Dodge Pottery in Portland, Maine in the 1800's. There are also some products today that are even attributed to the potter, Thomas Truxton Kendrick in Hollis, Maine that have a stamped base with a number applied with this same (multiple stamp) method; however, I feel those products were possibly (likely) also made in Portland by the Dodge family.

I assume this inkwell holder is a New England-made piece from the nineteenth-century.  For what it matters, the antique dealer, who I purchased this from, told me it was found in Maine.

 19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Inkwell Holder Likely Made in New England

Stands 2 1/4" Tall

Base Measures 2 3/8" in Diameter

Found in a Shop on the Maine Seacoast Today

 View of the Interior of the Inkwell Holder

 View of the Base

View of the Stamped Base with the Number '145' Created from Individual Stamps

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