A Pair of Red Earthenware Discoveries: A Slip Decorated Jar and a Slip Decorated Mug Discovered in 2014

Since the 2015 edition of the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts officially kick off at dawn tomorrow morning (I'll be leaving my house in Newburyport, Massachusetts at 4:00 am) - I thought tonight, I would discuss one of my favorite finds from the Brimfield shows in 2014. This nineteenth-century slip decorated red earthenware jar was purchased last May at the Hertan's Antique Show, which is held on the Wednesday of each Brimfield session - and, happens three times each year (May, July and September). The dealer, whom I purchased it from, told me the jar was originally found in an estate on Long Island in New York.

19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Ca. 1790-1860

Stands 7" Tall

Purchased Last May at the Hertan's Antique Show in Brimfield, MA

Originally Discovered on Long Island, NY

The jar is almost entirely covered in slip decoration; although, the bottom third of the exterior on the jar has been left unglazed. The interior of the jar is entirely glazed. I have seen similar glaze styles from the potters, who were employed on Long Island in the 1800's; however, I am not convinced that this is where this jar was manufactured. I don't know enough about Long Island pottery to make that statement.

This jar most-likely never possessed a lid - instead, if necessary, the jar probably had some kind of temporary cover, like a cloth, that would have been tied over it to seal the contents. Interestingly, the clay color is a palish-colored clay that is not regularly seen on red earthenware made in the northeast (i.e. New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine). It should be noted that potters on Long Island also used light colored clays to produce stoneware. It should also be noted  that there is traces of green on this jar; there is a green dot on the interior - and, a green steak found on the exterior. This was not an intentional decoration applied by the potter. It was either the result of a copper oxide glaze accidentally ending up on the jar - or, it may also have been the result of an unexpected copper impurity in the clay used to manufacture the jar.

 Another View of the Jar

 View of the Interior

Green Dot Seen on the Upper Right of the Interior

 View of a Green Streak on the Exterior

View of the Base

Soon after I purchased this jar, I attended Dish Camp last June (2014) in Historic Eastfield Village in New York, which is just outside of Albany, New York. While attending the three-day seminar, I purchased a very-similar slip decorated mug from the late, hugely important scholar - and, New York State potter, Don Carpentier. Upon purchasing the mug inside Don's old-fashioned General Store, I asked Don, where he found the mug - unfortunately, he wasn't positive, but he thought he may have found it in either New York or Massachusetts. The potter, decorated the mug with a pair of incised lines placed just above the top of the handle. You can see that the mug is glazed with a similar slip technique leaving the bottom third of the mug unglazed. The clay color is also a similar palish-color. I have some doubt, but, overall, I believe the jar and the mug of discussion, were made at the same potter's business in the early-nineteenth-century. However, where that potter's business was located is still under investigation.

 Early-19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Mug

Ex-Don Carpentier

Ca. 1790-1840

Stands 5 3/8" Tall

Purchased from Don Carpentier at Dish Camp in June of 2014

 View of the Handle

 View of the Interior

View of the Base

I'm hoping that I will have a few stories to share about my trips to Brimfield this week. I will be there as soon as the sun rises tomorrow and Wednesday - and, I will try to write a report each day depending on how I do.

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