A 19th Century Red Earthenware Bank that was Recently Uncovered in Portland, Maine

Visually, this isn't the most exciting product since the potter left the object unglazed; however, it could possibly be an important object in respect to the context that it was discovered. This nineteenth-century red earthenware bank or money box was recently uncovered in Portland, Maine. It was likely deposited in the late-nineteenth-century.

The reason I suggest that this bank is important today is a result of the information that it can lend to the area's continued study of its local red earthenware industry. This form is rarely attributed to the potter's in Maine today. In fact, I have never seen another Maine-made bank before.

Personally, I believe this bank was either made at the Dodge family pottery in Portland or at the potters industry in North Yarmouth, Maine during the circa 1840-1880 period. I feel there are arguments that could be made for either attribution.

A friend, who is responsible for salvaging a large amount of red earthenware sherds, wasters and kiln furniture from various potter's sites in North Yarmouth, which are now owned by the state of Maine, has reportedly seen similar banks discovered in the ground near the potter's sites in North Yarmouth.

This object's form appears special. The finial and the base seem unusual for banks that I have seen from other potter's businesses elsewhere in New England, such as New Hampshire and Massachusetts during the same period.

 19th Century Unglazed Red Earthenware Bank or Money Box

Uncovered in Portland, ME

Likely Made in Portland, ME or North Yarmouth, ME

Circa 1840-1880

Stands 4 7/8" Tall

 View of the Back

View of the Base

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