A Mystery Possibly Solved: The Origin Behind a Known Group of Red Earthenware Pitchers

Thanks to Long Island (New York) collector, writer and past contributor to Ceramics in America, Anthony Butera - the questions in origin surrounding a group of manganese decorated nineteenth-century red earthenware pitchers that I recently posed last week may finally be solved. If you recall, I wrote about a group of pitchers that are all related to the pitcher shown below. It has been a mystery, in recent years as to where these objects originated from - I have heard attributions that include Virginia and New England, but no actual concrete proof to support either claim. I agree that the form seems to correspond with some pitchers made in coastal Massachusetts in the 1800's, but the glaze is what really throws me off.

It appears that an origin for these pitchers may now be solved as a result of an article written by Jeannette Lasansky titled, 'Pennsylvania Pottery in Berks County Collections.' The article identifies a red earthenware noggin decorated with a similar (unusual) glaze technique as seen on the pitcher of discussion - the noggin is identified as a product that was produced in southeastern Pennsylvania during the 1800-1850 period.

Jeanette Lasansky is a writer who has authored a few books on Pennsylvania pottery (among other non-related books), which includes the book, 'Central Pennsylvania Redware Pottery: 1780-1904'. According to Penn State University in Pennsylvania, 'Jeanette Lasansky is a graduate of Harpur College and the University of Iowa. She is a lecturer and a research associate at Bucknell University. She is also director of the Union County Oral Traditions Project and a recipient of ten grants for research, publication, and multimedia shows.'

 19th Century Red Earthenware Noggin Probably Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania

The Glaze Appears Related to the Pitcher in Origin

Circa 1800-1850

Stands 5 1/2" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Jeanette Lasansky - Pennsylvania

  19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Probably Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania
The Glaze Appears Related to the Noggin in Origin

Circa 1800-1850

Stands 4 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Another View of the Pitcher

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

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