A Group of Red Earthenware Apothecary Jars that Sold Last Weekend in Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

Last week, I wrote about a group of nineteenth-century black-glazed red earthenware jars with make-do tin lids that were scheduled to sell at Wiederseim Associates, Inc. in Glenmoore, Pennsylvania. I believe they were all Mid-Atlantic-made objects (i.e. New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland) that were likely made in Pennsylvania; although, there is also a small chance that a potter in New Jersey may have also been responsible. The auction house described the lot as a "set of four redware apothecary jars, each standing 6 1/4" tall." The lot also included an eighteenth-century cast iron mortar and pestle possibly from an American manufacturer.

I guess you could say that these objects sold just in time for Halloween (see the jars's descriptions below) as the official start to the 2015 fall season is fast approaching.

Each of the jars were decorated with a painted label that described the intended contents. Unfortunately, from the picture alone, I can not read what was written on each jar; however, I can explain how some of the jars read, which includes one jar that is partially labeled with the word 'Blood' - other legible jars read 'Hartshorn' and 'Crabs Eyes.' The 'Crabs Eyes' and 'Blood' descriptions seem self explanatory (to me), but my curiosity got the best of me with the descrption 'Hartshorn' - which, naturally, I had to look up.

From what I have found online, "Hartshorn is obtained from the destructive distillation of a deer's bones or horns. It is used for both medicinal and baking needs."

From there, my interest then turned to the 'Crabs Eyes.' What purpose could they have possibly served in the nineteenth-century?

According to the '15th Edition of the Compleat Housewife or, Accomplish'd Gentlewoman's Companion' which was published in 1753 in London - crabs eyes were actually used as part of a recipe (which also recommended hartshorn) in that year as a cure for a cold. The recipe required "pearls, crab's-eyes, red coral, white amber, burnt hartshorn, and oriental bezoard, of each half an ounce; the black tips of crab claws three ounces; make all into a paste, with a jelly of vipers, and roll it into little balls, which dry and keep for use."

In my initial story, I had hinted that this lot should do well seeing that there was already a group of left bids. In the end, the lot sold for $950 at the podium - and, more than $1,200 after the sales tax and the buyer's premium were added to the final hammer price. I think it's a safe bet to say that it will probably be a long time before a set of jars, like this, are seen again in the public marketplace - these definitely appear to be a rare set to find anywhere today.

Collection of 19th Century Red Earthenware Apothecary Jars with Tin Lids

Likely Made in Pennsylvania or the Mid-Atlantic Region

Circa 1840

Each Stands 6 1/4" Tall with the Tin Lid
Sold for Over $1,200 on Saturday September 19, 2015

Photo Courtesy: Wiederseim Auction, Inc. - Glenmoore, PA

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