I have actually regretted trading this jug for about six-months now. I had no idea that I would see it at the flea market this morning - and, I am quite excited to have come across it, yet, again because I now feel that it could be an important jug that may expand the knowledge of what is known today about a group of red earthenware spice jars (and, the products that are associated with those jars) that are attributed to southern Maine.
This jug was originally found in New Hampshire near the Maine border a few years ago. I purchased it from a Maine-based dealer. I have always felt that this jug was made in Maine, but I never had any strong proof of where in Maine it was made. I'll explain why this could be an important object.
Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, Mass.
Sunday November 1, 2015
Todd's Farm Flea Market - Rowley, Mass.
Sunday November 1, 2015
This jug was originally found in New Hampshire near the Maine border a few years ago. I purchased it from a Maine-based dealer. I have always felt that this jug was made in Maine, but I never had any strong proof of where in Maine it was made. I'll explain why this could be an important object.
19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Likely Made in Maine
Circa 1820-1860
Stands 8 3/8" Tall
See Below for More Information
View of the Handle
View of the Base
After I got this jug home today - and, I had examined it for a few minutes - I realized that the beading or the incised line carefully placed around the base seemed familiar. It is really an unusual characteristic to see today from any nineteenth-century New England-based potter.
As I sat there focusing on this line - and, how I thought it could be an attributable characteristic - it dawned on me that I have seen this same line before. I quickly turned to my collection - and, I pulled a slip decorated red earthenware spice jar from a shelf to make a comparison, which I found that the line on the spice jar and the line placed on the jug seemed to be very-similar. The tool used appeared to be the same and the placement of the line seemed to be in the same position on a very similar base with no foot.
There is debate today where these type of spice jars were made; although, it can likely be narrowed down to either the Thomas Truxton Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, Maine or the Benjamin Dodge Pottery in Portland, Maine. These businesses were only separated by a few miles. The argument comes down to what is known about these businesses. Either way, there is very-little known about either business today - despite both of the businesses finding success in southern Maine that lasted for decades. My guess is that there was a larger and wider production at the Dodge Pottery rather than the Kendrick Pottery in consideration of where the Dodge Pottery was located in Portland, which was surrounded by a larger population and more money in the nineteenth-century.
If this incised line that is seen on this jug is an attributable characteristic, like I feel it could be - then this may be an important jug that I am very-happy to have re-acquired. I won't be trading this jug, again any time soon. I've learned my lesson that I shouldn't trade anything until I know what it exactly is - and, who may have made it. Ultimately, this could be an important object.
As I sat there focusing on this line - and, how I thought it could be an attributable characteristic - it dawned on me that I have seen this same line before. I quickly turned to my collection - and, I pulled a slip decorated red earthenware spice jar from a shelf to make a comparison, which I found that the line on the spice jar and the line placed on the jug seemed to be very-similar. The tool used appeared to be the same and the placement of the line seemed to be in the same position on a very similar base with no foot.
There is debate today where these type of spice jars were made; although, it can likely be narrowed down to either the Thomas Truxton Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, Maine or the Benjamin Dodge Pottery in Portland, Maine. These businesses were only separated by a few miles. The argument comes down to what is known about these businesses. Either way, there is very-little known about either business today - despite both of the businesses finding success in southern Maine that lasted for decades. My guess is that there was a larger and wider production at the Dodge Pottery rather than the Kendrick Pottery in consideration of where the Dodge Pottery was located in Portland, which was surrounded by a larger population and more money in the nineteenth-century.
If this incised line that is seen on this jug is an attributable characteristic, like I feel it could be - then this may be an important jug that I am very-happy to have re-acquired. I won't be trading this jug, again any time soon. I've learned my lesson that I shouldn't trade anything until I know what it exactly is - and, who may have made it. Ultimately, this could be an important object.
(Left) Jug Found Today
(Right) Spice Jar that is Referenced Above
Probably Made in Either Portland, ME or Hollis, ME
Probably Made in Either Portland, ME or Hollis, ME
A View of the Lines Placed Around the Bases
Another View of the Lines
Please Stay Tuned…Much More to Come...
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