A Newly Acquired Red Earthenware Jug that Reminds Me of an Object that Sold at Skinner in Boston in 2006

When I first began seriously studying and trying to acquire red earthenware based on maker - there was a collection that really first inspired me. I guess you could say that this was the first time I saw how a quality hand-selected and carefully chosen private collection truly appeared. This was also years before I ever saw the prominent private collections, that are located throughout New England, which I often reference today.

It was November 4, 2006 (I had only graduated from college two-years prior), I attended a special Saturday auction hosted by Skinner in Boston. They had been consigned a wonderful private collection of eighteenth and nineteenth-century American antiques and folk art.

Normally, Skinner holds their sales on Sundays; however, they made a special consideration for this sale. I remember marveling at some of the red earthenware in the redware portion of that antiques collection. I thought to myself that I'd like to build a collection like that someday. This collection really opened my eyes as to what was potentially out there if I looked hard enough.

Seeing this collection kind of motivated me - I became determined to learn as much as I could, and this is an approach I still take today.

Overall, the consigned red earthenware collection was well-assembled representing potters throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and the Mid-Atlantic states. There was also a few terrific examples of stoneware and a small collection of nineteenth-century sewer tile animal figures. Essentially, all of this material is what opened my eyes to the possibilities what could be available in the field of nineteenth-century utilitarian pottery. Previously, my focus had been redware - and, this collection enforced my interest.

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Stoneware Jug Decorated with an Incised Bird Perched on a Branch

Probably Made by a Member of the Remmey or Crolius Families in New York City

Circa 1790-1820

Stands 14 7/8" Tall

Sold for $42,300 on November 4, 2006

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc. - Boston & Marlborough, Mass.

Early 19th Century 2-Gallon Stoneware Crock Decorated with an Incised Horse

Circa 1790-1820

Stands 11" Tall

Sold for $3,643 on November 4, 2006

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc. - Boston & Marlborough, Mass.

I was the winning bidder on a few red earthenware objects, which I still own today, but there were a couple of examples of red earthenware made in Merrimacport, Massachusetts at the William Pecker Pottery (circa 1790-1820) that I wished I could have owned. There was one jug in particular, which I have never forgotten - it was decorated in Pecker's trademark pumpkin-colored glaze with brush strokes of manganese. It was in remarkable condition with a skilled form that was perfectly made.

Basically, this was the first time that I had ever seen an example of Pecker's work in-hand - you can probably say this was the jug that inspired me to pursue learning more about who William Pecker was, how his production appeared and how that production should be perceived today. To my knowledge, that jug never reappeared; although, I have acquired a number of rare jugs that were made by Pecker since, but I have always wanted to own an example that was similar to the object that sold at Skinner's in 2006. I've seen related glazed examples in storage at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and at Historic New England's storage facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts, but (until recently) I have never seen a comparable example for sale privately, offered at a show or sold to the highest bidder at auction since.

Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made at the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820

Stands 8 7/8" Tall

Sold at Skinner in Boston in 2006

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc. - Boston & Marlborough, Mass.

A few weeks ago, I was able to acquire a jug made at the William Pecker Pottery that reminded me of the jug that sold in 2006. This new jug is a little more ovoid; however, the glaze, the size, the handle, the neck and the rim are very-similar. Honestly, it reminds me of the jug that sold at Skinner's in 2006. I'm confident that this jug now fills that empty space in my collection. 

Earlier this month, the jug appeared at the Hudson Antique Show in Hudson, Ohio. It wasn't attributed. I believe it is a previously unidentified example. East Waterford, Pennsylvania antiques dealer, Jeff Graybill, who was setup at the show, spotted the jug and he sent me a photograph. Jeff described the jug as being in "pristine condition." Now that the jug is in-hand, I completely agree. It's tough to find an example of early-nineteenth-century red earthenware anywhere near this type of condition today.

Note: The difference in glaze seen in the photo above (Skinner jug) and the photo below (the newly acquired jug) is mostly the result of the choice of background colors and the type of lighting used in the photographs. Although, I believe the new jug is actually probably a little more vibrant in color.

Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made at the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820
Stands 8 1/8" Tall
Recently Discovered at the Hudson Antique Show in Hudson, OH

Another View of the Jug

View of the Handle

Another View of the Handle and the Rim

View of the Base

For a comparison: I have shown a small nineteenth-century red earthenware pot, in the following photograph, that is decorated in a nearly exact glaze. This pot was also made at the Pecker Pottery during the same circa 1790-1820 period. I purchased this pot from Thomaston, Maine antiques dealer, Ross Leavitt a few years ago. This pot is actually from the important collection of Hilary and Paulette Nolan on Cape Cod in Falmouth, Massachusetts. They sold their decades long private collection in 2004. Their name is an important provenance today when it comes to New England-made red earthenware.

Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Pot Made at the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820
Stands 5 1/8" Tall
Ex-Hilary and Paulette Nolan Collection

Shown below are a number of examples of jugs made at the William Pecker Pottery that are owned by various national museums. I have also shown the various objects from the Pecker Pottery that are currently on display at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Historic New England

Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made at the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820
Stands Approximately 9" Tall
Margaret H. Jewell Collection
Photo Courtesy: Historic New England - Haverhill, Mass.

The Smithsonian

Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made at the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820

 Stands 9 1/4" Tall

Formerly Owned by Mr. Frank Winn, Great-Grandson of William Pecker
Lura Woodside Watkins Collection
Pictured in the Book 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares'
Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History - The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made at the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820

Stands Approximately 13" Tall

Largest William Pecker Jug that I am Aware of Today
Lura Woodside Watkins Collection
Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History - The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History - The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C

Old Sturbridge Village

(Left) William Pecker Pottery Porringer

Circa 1790-1820

Stands Approximately 3" Tall

(Right) Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug - William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820

Stands Approximately 8 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

(Left) William Pecker Pottery Pitcher

Circa 1790-1820

Stands Approximately 6" Tall

(Right) William Pecker Pottery Chamber Pot

Circa 1790-1820

Stands Approximately 7" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

(Left) William Pecker Pottery Pitcher

Circa 1790-1820

Stands Approximately 8" Tall

(Right William Pecker Pottery Flower Pot

Circa 1790-1820

Stands Approximately 4 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

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