Little Brown Stoneware Jugs from the 19th Century - and, a Little Brown Red Earthenware Jug, Also from the 19th Century

Last weekend, while picking my way though Todd's Farm Flea Market in Rowley, Massachusetts, an antiques dealer, pulled a miniature late-nineteenth-century Albany-glazed stoneware jug, from his car, that was inscribed with the words, 'Little Brown Jug.' I showed a small interest in the jug; however, it was nothing that I really had to own for my personal collection. These kind of jugs were made allover in the 1800's; although, I believe this particular example was probably made in Vermont after 1870.  It probably stood two-to-three-inches tall with no noticeable condition issues.

Outstanding interpretations of the 'Little Brown Jug' typically vary in value from region-to-region with some examples selling for less than one-hundred-dollars today - while, more prominent examples that were produced in places such as the Kirkpatrick brothers pottery in Anna, Illinois in the 1880's have sold in recent times for tens-of-thousands of dollars.

For example, in 2014, a very-rare salt-glazed stoneware snake jug (note: this jug was not decorated in an Albany-glaze) that was inscribed 'Little Brown Jug / Anna Pottery / Jan 22 1885' sold for over $50,000.

I would say the most common brown jug to find (at least, in the northeast) today are probably the Little Brown Jugs that were produced by the Norton family in Bennington, Vermont in the late-1800's. According to the website, LittleBrownJugs.com, "These miniature jugs were sold as souvenirs at Centennial celebrations, fairs and expositions. Therefore it is not surprising to see many miniature jugs with the Battle of Bennington reference scratched into them, they usually bear the August 16th, 1877 date, also known as Bennington Battle Day. Many were also produced for the July 4th, 1876 Bicentennial celebration. We also see examples that were made for special events like the Columbian Exposition as well as the Poultney Industrial Fair. In a recent discovery one was found for the presidential campaign between Harrison and Morton. Captain John Norton in 1793 started the pottery, but it was Luman Preston Norton and Edward Norton who sold thousands of these miniature stoneware Albany slip scratched LITTLE BROWN JUGS."

 Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, MA - Sunday July 19, 2015

  Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, MA - Sunday July 19, 2015

  Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, MA - Sunday July 19, 2015

  Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, MA - Sunday July 19, 2015

 Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, MA - Sunday July 19, 2015

In recollection, I can remember seeing many stoneware examples in recent years that were identified as a 'Little Brown Jug;' however, I can only recall a single example of red earthenware with a related description. Rather than an Albany-glaze - the small red earthenware jug was decorated with a brown-glaze.

This jug is owned by the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, New Hampshire. It was reportedly gifted to the museum by Margaret H. Jewell, a prominent collector from years past. She also donated a large red earthenware collection (the majority of her collection) to Historic New England in Massachusetts. The bulk of her collection is actually kept in Historic New England's storage facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Inscribed on the front of this jug, it reads, 'Little Brown JUG / NH.' The definition of the jug and the abbreviation for New Hampshire are separated by an inscribed wavy line. The writing is highlighted in gold as well as gold highlights that were placed around the rim, the neck and the base of the jug.

The jug also retains a very-old label that reads, "Made at the Millville Pottery." The Millville Pottery was a business that operated in Concord, New Hampshire by John Farmer Clark (1832-1885) in the latter-half of the nineteenth-century. He is a relative and descendant of the famed Clark family of potters, which includes the important potter, Peter Clark, who began his career in Braintree, Massachusetts in the 1760's before moving to New Hampshire shortly after the American Revolution, which helped spark the Clark family's involvement with the New Hampshire potter's industry.

Small 19th Century Red Earthenware 'Little Brown Jug'

Made at the John Farmer Clark 'Millville Pottery' in Concord, NH

Stands Roughly 3"-4" Tall

Circa 1870

Ex-Collection of Margaret H. Jewell

Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society - Concord, NH

Update

If you remember, I purchased a red earthenware rundlet, from a similar time period, while visiting Timothy Bailey's antique shop in Nassau, New York this past June. That rundlet, exhibits a very-similar glaze decoration with related gold striping as-does the jug of discussion. There's a good possibility that the rare rundlet is an example of pottery from John Farmer Clark's business in Concord in the 1860's or the 1870's.

 19th Century Red Earthenware Rundlet Possibly Made at the Clark Pottery in Concord, NH

Circa 1860's or 1870's

Stands 5" Tall

Found in Timothy Bailey's Shop in Nassau, NY

View of the Back of the Rundlet

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