According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary: "A rundlet is a small barrel or keg of no certain dimensions, which could contain upwards of 3 to 20 gallons of liquid, such as wine or other alcohol."
Traditionally, the red earthenware rundlets that I see today could be considered a miniature size in comparison to the general definition of the form. The forms that I am aware of today in museums and private collections, typically range in size from 2 1/2 inches to 5 3/4 inches tall. Various potters are also represented from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Never-the-less, I assume this form was made by various American potters, who were employed in the red earthenware and stoneware industries in the nineteenth-century.
For example, the potters in southeastern Massachusetts are known today to have produced a number of rundlets, which varied from vibrant-colored-glazes to simpler black-glazes. However, this type of production in New England was not merely limited to the potter's industry located near New Bedford, Massachusetts. Although, it is taken for granted that this was somewhat of a specialty form that was probably in limited production when compared to the more-desired forms, such as pitchers, crocks and jugs.
Any potter could have manufactured this form - it was just a matter of whether they chose to produce it, and if they felt it would sell.
The nineteenth-century Clark family in Lyndeboro and Concord, New Hampshire is also known for this form today. In fact, the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, New Hampshire owns a few rundlets attributed to the Clarks.
I was told that this large black-glazed red earthenware rundlet was recently discovered in a house in Saugus, Massachusetts, which is located about eleven-miles directly north of Boston. The refinement of this product does suggest a coastal Massachusetts potter (to me). Whether that was a potter located to the north or south of Boston is, yet to be proven - but, it should be noted that the finesse of this product is in-keeping with products that were produced in southeastern Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth-centuries (circa 1790-1830). Personally, I believe this rundlet probably dates from the 1800-1820 period.
It is also important to indicate that this rundlet is not a pocket-sized object, either - unlike the majority of the rundlets that I am familiar with today. Technically, this a portable size, but it is not an object that would be regularly carried in that manner. I estimate that this rundlet could hold one-half-gallon of liquid.
Due to its size, I believe this object served more of a transportation need for a larger quantity of liquid in contrast to the smaller rundlets (known today) that served more of a novelty need. This was truly an utilitarian object no matter if it was originally purchased simply as an empty rundlet or as a rundlet that held a desired liquid. That debate would surround the idea of 'who' originally sold this object; was it a potter, a distiller or a merchant? And, to further that debate: was this a special ordered size or is it just a very-rare form (size) that is hardly seen today?
Note: The cork which is used to seal the hole is very-old. Unfortunately, it is difficult to say how long this cork has been used for this rundlet, but it does show significant age.
Late-18th Century or Early-19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Rundlet
Very-Thinly Potted, Appears in the Manner of Products Made in Southeastern Mass.
Otherwise, It's Probably a Coastal Massachusetts Product
Otherwise, It's Probably a Coastal Massachusetts Product
Recently Found in a House in Saugus, Mass.
Circa 1790-1830
Stands 9" Tall
Measures 7" Wide at the Midsection
Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton - Milford, NH
Another View of the Rundlet
Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton - Milford, NH
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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