A Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Owned by the Litchfield, Connecticut Historical Society that May be an Important 18th Century Massachusetts Product

Today's report, is thanks to a friend of mine, Long Island collector, writer and scholar, Anthony Butera, who may have identified another very-rare example of Charlestown, Massachusetts red earthenware, made before June 17, 1775, that is owned by the Litchfield Historical Society in Litchfield, Connecticut. This particular example is attributed, by the museum, to the Goshen, Connecticut potter, Hervey Brooks (1779-1873); however, the stamped slip decoration is very-similar to a stamped slip decoration that is seen on a double-handled lidded pot that sold at a Tim Gould Auction in Augusta, Maine last November. That highly important pot was previously unidentified; although, it was identified just before the sale as likely being a Charlestown-made product. The decoration is also similar to pots excavated during the archaeology that happened before the Big Dig in Charlestown. Given the historical and archaeological context, those pots, were all made before the Battle of Bunker Hill happened on June 17, 1775.

Massachusetts potter, Rick Hamelin actually demonstrated this stamped technique at Dish Camp in Historic Eastfield Village in New York last month. The tool used to apply the slip was really at the will of the potter or decorator; however, Rick simple curved a card from his wallet, dipped it in slip and decorated the pot. That's basically what was happening on the curved decoration on all of these pots seen below.

To my knowledge, the slip decoration used at Hervey Brooks' business in Goshen was typically freehand. Be your own judge, but the manner in-which the slip decoration is applied on the pan below is similar to the remainder of the objects in this report that are all identified as Charlestown products.

 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Lidded Pot Likely Made in Charlestown, MA

Circa 1760

The Curved Slip Decoration was Applied Like a Stamp

This Pot Sold at a Tim Gould Auction in Augusta, ME in November of 2014

 (Right) 18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Excavated in Charlestown, MA

Circa 1760

Notice the Curved Slip Decoration

  (Right) 18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Cup Excavated in Charlestown, MA

Circa 1760

Notice the Curved Slip Decoration

 Possibly 18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pan

Possibly Made in Charlestown, MA
But, Also Possibly a CT Product
Museum Attributes it to Hervey Brooks in Goshen, CT

Stands 3 1/4" Tall

Measures 13 1/4" in Diameter

Notice the Curved Slip Decoration

Photo Courtesy: Litchfield Historical Society - Litchfield, CT

Another View of the Curved Slip Decoration

Photo Courtesy: Litchfield Historical Society - Litchfield, CT

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