A Pair of Red Earthenware Discoveries Made Today While Picking My Way Through Maine

I went out picking with my niece, Alexis all-day today in Maine - we left my house in Newburyport, Massachusetts around 9:00 am - and, we traveled north to Arundel, Maine, Brunswick, Maine, Bath, Maine, Woolwich, Maine, Wiscasett, Maine, Hallowell, Maine and we ended in Fairfield, Maine before we drove back south - ultimately, ending the day in Scarborough, Maine. Naturally, my niece picked her share of Barbie Dolls; however, I also made a significant discovery today.

My Niece, Alexis with a Pair of Barbie Dolls She Found in Fairfield, Maine

Honestly, I was shocked when I came across these jugs sitting together in a glass case in an antique shop well-north of Portland, Maine this afternoon. I didn't ask the shop keeper for a history, but they were found in group shop. It wasn't a private dealer's shop. It was a regular antique shop. I was thrilled to find both of these objects for a fair price so I didn't press my luck with questions.

I believe this first jug was made at one of the potter's businesses that were employed in the nineteenth-century west of Portland. This jug stand under six-inches tall. It is decorated in a beautiful variegated green glaze. I have heard of similar forms called vinegar jugs; although, it would have really been used however the owner wished. It's unlikely, but this jug may have even been used as a vase at one time.

I have also heard of similar jugs attributed to the Webber Pottery in Alfred, Maine (including a related jug that sold at Skinner in Boston in 2006),  but I'm not positive of that attribution. Personally, I feel safer calling this jug a southern Maine product.

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Probably Made in Southern Maine

Circa 1840-1860

Stands 5 3/4" Tall

Discovered Today in a Shop North of Portland, ME

 Another View of the Jug

Another View of the Jug

This next jug is a significant discovery seeing that it is stamped 'John Safford 2D' - which, stands for John Safford II, who was a significant potter from a significant potter's family by today's standards from Monmouth, Maine. This jug probably dates from the 1840's period. It's a large jug standing nine-inches tall - and, decorated in a beautiful cream and apricot colored glaze. Rarely, are stamped products from the Safford family of Monmouth found today  (or, really any utilitarian red earthenware potter's business) - never-the-less, it is even rarer to find signed objects found on such nicely glazed forms. In recent years, I have seen signed unglazed crocks with the 'John Safford 2D' stamp sell for upwards of $600 or $700 in smaller auction settings.

This was a really good discovery today.

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made by John Safford II in Monmouth, ME

Stamped 'John Safford 2D'

Circa 1820-1854

Stands 9" Tall

Discovered Today in a Shop North of Portland, ME

 A Closer View of the Jug

View of the Stamp 'John Safford 2D'

Please Stay Tuned…Much More to Come...