EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A Pair of 19th Century Red Earthenware Jugs that were Recently Discovered in New Hampshire

Sunday, December 20, 2015

A Pair of 19th Century Red Earthenware Jugs that were Recently Discovered in New Hampshire

Today, I would like to show a few nineteenth-century red earthenware jugs that I picked this weekend - this first object appeared at the Milford, New Hampshire Antiques Show a few weeks ago. A friend purchased it for $35. He said the jug didn't come with much of a history other than being found at the antique show. Afterwards, he offered it for me - and, I couldn't resist the opportunity to purchase the jug. The green-glaze really shines when it is placed in direct sunlight.

My feeling is that this jug was made during the circa 1840 to 1880 period. Similar formed jugs have been attributed to a variety of potter's businesses in Maine before. The glaze is also reminiscent to some products produced at the Safford family potteries in Monmouth, Maine.

I don't know what specific potter's business is responsible for this jug; although, I do feel it was made in Maine. There's a chance that it was made at one of the potter's businesses in the southern part of the state; however, it could also have been produced further north at a place like one if the Safford Potteries in Monmouth.

19th Century Green-Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Likely Made in Maine

Circa 1840-1880

Stands 6 3/4" Tall

Recently Purchased at the Milford, NH Antiques Show

View of the Handle

View of the Base

This next jug was recently discovered at an estate sale in Epsom, New Hampshire. The form of the jug is a classic form that was produced at the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Massachusetts during the circa 1790-1820 period. However, the glaze is somewhat unusual for this business - and, thus why I purchased this jug.

Any type of jug is considered very-rare from the Pecker Pottery today. I would classify this jug as a medium-sized object from the Pecker Pottery standing about eight-inches tall. The characteristics that stand out to me as styles that I would attribute to William Pecker's business are the rim, the incised lines, the form of the handle, the ovoid body and the footed base.