A Rare Early-19th Century Slip Decorated Philadelphia-Made Red Earthenware Charger that is Scheduled to Sell Today in Quarryville, Pennsylvania

Later today, a rare example of late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century slip decorated Philadelphia-made red earthenware is scheduled to sell at the Pennsylvania Auction Center in Quarryville, Pennsylvania. I had actually planned on bidding by telephone on this press-molded object, but since I can not attend the auction, in-person, I have decided not to participate. I assume this charger is going to command a decent price, too - and, in consideration, I would rather inspect this object in-hand instead of only bidding based on internet photography.

This object is advertised as a "rare Philadelphia redware charger measuring 13 1/2 inches in diameter with no repairs from the circa 1825-1830 period." Although, I will suggest that this charger could date from an earlier period, as well.

In my opinion, slip decorated Philadelphia-made red earthenware plates, chargers and platters are among the best known forms of decorated flatware made in America in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

There are some questions that may arise from the photographs shown below - there seems to be some kind of substance that covers part of the charger; however, the auctioneer told me on the phone yesterday that there is no restoration. Instead, it is possible that there may be some staining, but I can not be sure of that, either.

The auctioneer also told me yesterday that I was the first person to inquire about the charger by phone. He said there are currently no phone bids setup for this item, and they do not use internet bidding. They are an Amish auction house. The auctioneer said, "Typically, what is sold goes to the highest bidder in the auction hall."

This was also not a heavily advertised sale. I believe it only received attention through Auction Zip and maybe some local advertising. Ultimately, this could be a fantastic opportunity to acquire a rare example of Philadelphia-made pottery that may not sell for as much as it would in a higher-profile setting

Note: Related slip decorated red earthenware sherds have been recovered in numerous archaeological contexts in Philadelphia; although, this type of product was also exported. Similar sherds have also been recovered in such places as New York City, New Jersey and Albany, New York; all of these contexts vary from the late-eighteenth to the early-nineteenth-centuries.

For Reference: I have also shown a complementary charger that is owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which is also attributed to Philadelphia. The big difference between the two objects is the manner of the slip decoration.

Pennsylvania Auction Center Charger -- 

Collection of Red Earthenware that is Scheduled to Sell Today in Pennsylvania

Photo Courtesy: Pennsylvania Auction Center - Quarryville, PA

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Charger Attributed to Philadelphia, PA

Circa 1790-1830

Measures 13 1/2" in Diameter

Scheduled to Sell Today in Pennsylvania

Photo Courtesy: Pennsylvania Auction Center - Quarryville, PA

View of the Back of the Charger

Photo Courtesy: Pennsylvania Auction Center - Quarryville, PA

Metropolitan Museum of Art Charger --

Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Charger Attributed to Philadelphia, PA

Circa 1800-1820

Measures 15 3/4" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City

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