An Unusual and Possibly Rare Stoneware Pitcher that Will Sell Next Week at W.A. Smith, Inc. in Plainfield, New Hampshire

This will be a brief article today that focuses on an intriguing stoneware pitcher that has been consigned to W.A. Smith, Inc., an auction firm based in Plainfield, New Hampshire. This object is scheduled to sell early next week on Monday January 18, 2016. Unfortunately, I don't know the history of this object, but it certainly raises my curiosity level. All that I know is that it was consigned for the upcoming sale; although, I do assume that it came from a New England collection or estate since that is where this auction firm acquires the bulk of its inventory.

I guess what fascinates me the most about this object is the form. It's unusual. The double-lipped rim is very-rare for a stoneware pitcher - and, the ribbed decoration around the neck is reminiscent to some eighteenth-century stoneware jugs that were produced in the Westerwald region in Germany. There was also some cross-over with this style with some potters in France in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

According to the Museum of London, "Pottery production in the Westerwald region is known from the beginning of the 15th century, but an influx of migrant (German) potters from Siegburg and Raeren helped establish the stoneware industry towards the end of the 16th century. The region catered to the east of the Rhine between the rivers Sieg and Lahn, with principal production sites at Grenzau, Grenzhausen and Hohr. It then spread from these towns to outlying sites at Hilgert, Hillscheid, Ransbach, Baumbach, Mogendorf and Vallender. The identification of vessels from particular workshops has proved to be difficult, due to the similarities between the products and the clay used by these production sites, resulting in the application of a regional term (Westerwald) for their collective output. 

The industry grew in the 17th century and remained strong well into the 18th and 19th centuries, with exports not only to Britain, but also Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and neighboring islands in the Pacific Ocean), Africa and America. In London it was imported in bulk until the end of the 19th century."

18th Century German (Westerwald) Gray Salt-Glazed Stoneware Jug

Circa 1725-1740

Stands 10" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Colonial Williamsburg - Williamsburg, VA

18th Century German (Westerwald) Gray Salt-Glazed Stoneware Jug

Circa 1725

Stands Approximately 10" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Colonial Williamsburg - Williamsburg, VA

I asked a knowledgeable friend yesterday what he thought about the pitcher that was consigned to W.A. Smith - I told him that I didn't know what to make of it. I was doubtful that it was American-made; however, I thought it seemed to appear like an eighteenth-century product that was in-keeping with the wares made in the Westerwald region in the 1700's.

In theory - I honestly considered whether this was a product that was produced in the American colonies before 1775, but I am very-doubtful of that idea. I have also considered if this was a product that could have been imported into America in the eighteenth-century. None-the-less, this object seems to be a rare product, but how rare is a valid question.

The individual, whom I asked, for help, thought that there was a possibility that this pitcher could have been made in England or France. That makes sense, too since there appears to be some-kind of Westerwald influence in the form. I checked the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website and they don't appear to own an object like this, which may indicate that this is a rare object to find today since the MET prides itself on its diverse collection of ceramics, which were manufactured during a broad time period from around the world.

A few observations: This is what I can say about this object; 1) It appears to be salt-glazed. 2) It is hand-thrown with an applied handle. 3) The double-lipped rim is a rare characteristic to find on any type of stoneware pitcher today. 4) The ribbing around the neck seems to be influenced by some of the products that were produced in the Westerwald region in Germany in the 1700's. 5) The basic form and the handle placement is in-keeping with American-made stoneware products; although, I agree with others, who have seen this object and have questioned whether this pitcher was made in Europe. 6) It appears that it could be an eighteenth-century product. 7) This appears to be a thickly-potted product when compared to the more-refined Westerwald jugs that are shown above.

 18th/19th Century Stoneware Pitcher 

Origin Unknown (to me), But Probably a European Potter
Circa 1750-1810

Stands 9" Tall

Photo Courtesy: W.A. Smith, Inc. - Plainfield, NH

View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: W.A. Smith, Inc. - Plainfield, NH

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