A Great 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Discovered Years Ago in an Ontario Farm House

This morning's report, showcases, a beautiful large nineteenth-century red earthenware pitcher that was acquired from a farm estate in Oakville, Ontario years ago - and, it has resided in the same important private Ontario collection ever since. The maker of the pitcher is not currently known today, but some believe that it could be an Ontario-made object; although, there are others who suggest that it could be from an American potter such as someone based in western New York or Pennsylvania. There are also claims that this pitcher may have family ties to the Waterloo, Ontario area where there was a known potter's industry in the 1800's. Never-the-less, this is a beautiful object that appears (to me) to fall in line with the group of known products that were manufactured in places like western New York and Ontario rather than anywhere else today.

The reason that I am showing you this giant pitcher this morning is purely because of the decorative colorful glaze, which I feel could be mistaken for a Maine-made product if the pitcher were discovered in Maine - or, really any type of New England-based context. The glaze is similar to glazes that I have seen in sherds collected at the Bickford Pottery in Buxton, Maine; although, it is also comparable to glazes that are reportedly found on products attributed to Thomas Truxton Kendrick in Hollis, Maine and even the Dodge Pottery in Portland, Maine today.

This first object was discovered by Maine collector, Rick Poore in the basement of a southern Maine home that was about to be demolished some years back. It is debatable where this object was made in southern Maine; although, I think the belief currently leans towards a Bickford Pottery attribution in Buxton (a few miles west of Portland). I believe the only differences seen in the glaze found on the following pot and the Ontario pitcher of discussion are the result of a camera flash and the type of lighting that was used on the object when the photos were taken.

19th Century Red Earthenware Pot Likely Made in Southern Maine

Possibly Produced at the Bickford Pottery in Buxton, Maine

Circa 1840-1880

Stands Approximately 7 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Rick Poore - Maine

I believe this next object was produced at the Dodge Pottery in Portland, Maine in the 1820-1860 period; although, it is more commonly attributed to the Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, Maine today, which is located a few miles west of Portland. Recent studies seem to have altered that attribution from Hollis to Portland due to a group of signed Dodge Pottery jars that are related to this jar in form, but not glaze. Here again, the glaze seen on this small lidded jar is also similar to the glaze found on the large pitcher of discussion.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Likely Made at the Dodge Pottery in Portland, Maine

In the Past, These Jars Have Been Attributed to the Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, Maine

Stands Approximately 5 1/2" Tall

Circa 1820-1860

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

Here is the pitcher that I have been mentioning - it is really a wonderful object standing about thirteen-inches tall. I really feel that based on the glaze alone that this object could be mistaken for a southern Maine object; however, 'the form never lies' - and, that's what should really be analyzed here. Whether this is an Ontario-made object or a potter elsewhere like western New York or possibly Pennsylvania - regardless, it doesn't really matter  (to me) due to the beauty that is seen in this incredible object! It is really a remarkable survivor!

Large 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Found in a Farm House in Oakville, Ontario

Reportedly May Have Ties to a Family in Waterloo, Ontario

Circa 1850-1880

Stands 13" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Alvin Cameron - Ottawa, Ontario

For what it matters, here is a similar group of miniature glazed pitchers that are adorned in a similar glaze - these objects are all kept with the important Harbinson Collection of Canadian-made objects at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. The pitchers are all attributed to the Waterloo, Ontario area; however, no specific potter is cited. And, honestly, I have seen a related pitcher similar to the largest pitcher shown below attributed to Maine before - it really is fascinating how potters in two completely separate areas shared a common interest with similar glaze colors in the nineteenth-century.

Three Late-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitchers Attributed to Waterloo, Ontario

Glaze is Comparable to the Previous Objects of Discussion

Largest Stands 3 5/8" Tall

Part of the Harbinson Collection of Canadian-Made Objects

Photo Courtesy: The Canadian Museum of History - Gatineau, Quebec

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