Due to the smaller size of the objects in this report - I would probably lean towards suggesting that these forms were probably used more as a creamer - rather, than a traditional pitcher, which was used for water or other liquids. From the pitchers that I have handled that are related to these objects - none (or most), appear to have never been used over an open flame seeing that most of the bases do not appear to be blackened
The first time that I saw one of these pitchers was at the Kelly Young Sale at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in January of 2010, According to Crocker Farm, "William Kelly Young was born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1933. In 1959, he joined his father full time at the Marshall R. Young Drilling (Oil) Company. Upon his father's death in 1976, Kelly and his brothers successfully operated the company, and it still continues today.
Beginning in the mid-1980's, Young began to focus his collecting interests on American redware and stoneware pottery. He became a familiar face at antique shows up and down the East Coast, easily recognizable by his cowboy hat, leather boots, and warm personality. On his buying trips, Young established connections and friendships with several leading dealers and collectors in the American pottery community, some of which he maintained for the next two decades. In the early 1990's, Young was a frequent buyer at the New York City auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's. His collection covered a vast range of American pottery output during the 19th and 20th centuries, with products made in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Texas, represented."
The following pitcher was included in Kelly Young's collection, which Crocker Farm sold in 2010 - it was identified as a "late-19th century American-made redware pitcher (that stood only four and one-half inches tall).".
19th Century American-Made Red Earthenware Pitcher
Stands 4 1/2" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD
Another View of the Pitcher
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD
I have spoken with a few dealers who have owned these pitchers over the years - and, some have felt they may have been made in New England in the nineteenth-century; however, none have been completely certain of that attribution. Myself included - the form appears like it could have been made in New England, but I have been unable to pinpoint where it was made. None-the-less, these forms have appeared in various contexts in recent years; aside from the example that Kelly Young owned in Texas for many years - I have also seen examples owned in Chicago, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
This next pitcher was recently offered by Antiques Associates at West Townsend, Massachusetts which is a high-quality shop that is mostly brokered material from dealers, private collectors and sometimes even museums. Unfortunately, I don't know the history of this piece, but as you can see, it is almost a mirror image of the pitcher that sold in Kelly Young's collection five-years ago.
19th Century American-Made Red Earthenware Pitcher
Stands 4 3/4" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Antiques Associates at West Townsend, Massachusetts
The reason for this report today is because of a related pitcher that is set to sell at Burnt Chimney Auction Gallery in Wirtz, Virginia this weekend on Saturday July 29th. The auction house describes the pitcher as a product that was made in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in the nineteenth-century. I assume the attribution may be based on where the pitcher was discovered or where it was consigned from, which may be the result of a Virginia household or a private antiques collector
This pitcher now marks the sixth example of this style pitcher that I know of today - and, they have all appeared in various contexts from around the county. I am positive these pitchers are American-made, but 'where' is the million-dollar question. Interestingly, I cannot recall having seen any other forms with this type (or manner) of dripped manganese glaze before that could be related to these pitchers. The combination of glaze colors is not unique - these colors are seen on objects from New England, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee and I am sure other states, too.
19th Century American-Made Red Earthenware Pitcher
Stands 6" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Burnt Chimney Auction Gallery - Wirtz, VA
If anyone reading this has any insight or knowledge of where this formed pitcher was made - please, feel free to share or leave feedback. It would be greatly appreciated!
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