The Continued Study of Canadian-Made Red Earthenware - Glazes and Forms that are Similar to Wares Made in America

While at Dish Camp in Historic Eastfield Village in Nassua, New York last weekend, I spoke with a gentleman from Canada, who has a genuine passion for Canadian folk art, Canadian art, Canadian furniture - and, Canadian pottery. He really enjoys the early decorative arts from Canada. It's an honest passion. We spoke in-depth about the early red earthenware potters, who were employed in Ontario in the nineteenth-century. Personally, I believe this is the area, where the best red earthenware was made in Canada in the 1800's. A number of the Ontario potter's businesses were located around Toronto. I touched upon this subject in the past - and, I would like to rehash this idea again today.

I really feel there is a lot of confusion in America today with some of the wares that were made in Canada in the 1800's; although, some of this Canadian pottery has been discovered in American contexts (i.e. private collections, early homes, antique shops, auctions, junk shops, yard sales, flea markets, etc.). It really doesn't surprise me, either that Canadian collectors and antique dealers have told me that they also discover American-made pottery in Canada that is often mistaken for Canadian-made objects. I feel that the confusion really stands true for red earthenware; however, Canadian-made stoneware and American-made stoneware is a little easier to differentiate seeing much of it is marked by either a stoneware potter or a merchant, but that idea doesn't hold true for all stoneware. There are also other variations of earthenware from Canada that fall into this realm of confusion today.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot in publication today that discusses the types of wares that were made in Canada in the 1800's; none-the-less, that does not mean they were not made. In-fact, there were many accomplished objects made in Canada. The glazes were often very colorful - and, some of the glazes (and some forms) even mirrored wares that were made in America in places like Illinois, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine during the same period.

Despite the invisible boundary that separates Canada and America - potters still traveled from places like Pennsylvania and Western New York to Ontario for employment. I actually believe that the Western New York and Ontario-areas should be considered the same district today in terms of a potter's region. The wares from this area are very-similar in glaze and sometimes form. There are even documented potters, who worked in both places, which likely shows the influence in these areas and why wares are so similar.

I don't have proof, but I wouldn't be surprised if some Maine and Vermont potters ended up in Canada, too. Potters traveled to where they could find work and make money - and, the growing population in Canada in the 1800's provided some potters this kind of opportunity.

I will admit that in the past I have felt strongly that certain objects (like some jugs and jars) were made by potters in Western New York (such as the Alvin Wilcox Pottery in West Bloomfield, New York) that I now strongly believe were instead made in Ontario. Glaze separation with a cream and raspberry-colored glaze was a style often used in Canada that is especially sought after today by experienced collectors and dealers. It makes it confusing that this style was also applied in Western New York, but I find the Canadian objects adorned in this kind of glaze are often more vibrant and pronounced unlike some of the Western New York wares that appear a little more subtle, but there are always exceptions.

There are some Vermont potters today, who are famous for a rust-colored glaze; unfortunately, it only adds to the confusion with an understanding that this style was also practiced in parts of Ontario in the nineteenth-century.

To make it even more confusing, some of the raspberry and cream colored glazes were also accomplished by a variety of potters employed in Maine in the nineteenth-century.

This is only an introductory article, but I would like to included that Massachusetts longtime collector and scholar, Roger Pheulpin taught me a few years back that the glazes can be unpredictable at any given potter's business. There's no real complete way to identify why a specific potter used a certain colored glaze on any give day; however, he told me that the form traditionally does not lie. I feel that the only way to really differentiate between the wares made in these regions today is to really understand the forms that were made in these areas and the local needs that the potters fulfilled with their products.

In general, many of the surviving wares made in Canada (especially Ontario) are incredible objects to see today. I can speak for my American point of view by saying that I still have a lot to learn about Ontario today; however, that knowledge is important into understanding more about the kinds of wares that were made in America and differentiating between these areas. I'd like to say the same could be said for Canadian collectors, dealers and scholars into understanding the similar American-made wares.

American collectors, dealers and scholars can view Canadian-made wares however they choose today - personally, I view them as a continuation of the American potter's industry - especially, the products made in Ontario that are closely knitted to the wares made in Western New York.

This is an example of the the type of Canadian-made pottery that I am referring to that could easily be mistaken for an American-made product. This lidded jar is an accomplished form with an absolutely breathtaking glaze.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Likely Made in Ontario 

Said to Have Been Made in Markham, Ontario

Photo Courtesy: Joseph Schneider Haus Museum - Kitchener, Ontario

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