EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A Recently Acquired Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Creamer that Likely Dates from the 18th Century

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

A Recently Acquired Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Creamer that Likely Dates from the 18th Century

Last weekend, I was able to acquire, from a friend, a small black-glazed red earthenware creamer that was likely made in Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century. The form is very-similar to examples that are attributed to the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company (circa 1766-1799) in Newburyport, Massachusetts and the potter's industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts (circa 1635-1775) before the American Revolution.

In both instances, the attributions were developed based on the manner/style or appearance of the slip decoration, which strongly resembles archaeological evidence recovered in Newburyport and Charlestown. Those artifacts currently reside at the Smithsonian (Daniel Bayley Pottery Co.) in Washington, D.C. and at the Boston Archaeology Department (Charlestown Archaeology Collection) in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

The creamer, which I (now) own is thought to have been originally discovered in Maine; however, I'm not currently aware of what type of context that it was found.

The form, base and handle found on the newly acquired creamer is nearly identical or very-similar to the surviving examples shown below, which are attributed to Newburyport and Charlestown. The only difference being that the handle is attached closer to the rim. None-the-less, this is a very-rare survivor to find today.

I should also mention that products made in Charlestown and Newburyport are thought to have been exported elsewhere in New England. For example, remains from the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company have been recovered in a circa 1770 context in New Brunswick.

Note: The surviving objects shown below are courtesy of a prominent private collector in Connecticut, Hollis Brodrick in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and the Lura Woodside Watkins Collection at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Private Connecticut Collection

18th Century Red Earthenware Creamer

Possibly Made at the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.
Slip Decoration Matches Slip Techniques Recovered in Newburyport in the 1930's

Circa 1766-1799

Stands Approximately 3 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Private Connecticut Collection

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Private Connecticut Collection

The Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.

Daniel Bayley Pottery Company Red Earthenware Chamber Pot - Newburyport, Mass.

A Slip Decorated 'X' is Seen on the Front of this Pot Similar to What is Seen on Two of the Creamers

Recovered by Lura Woodside Watkins in the 1930's at the Bayley Pottery Company

This Type of Decoration is Found on Many of the Sherds that Watkins Recovered

Circa 1766-1799

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

Hollis Brodrick, Portsmouth, NH

18th Century Red Earthenware Creamer

Possibly Made at the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.
Slip Decoration Matches Slip Techniques Recovered in Newburyport in the 1930's

Circa 1766-1799

Stands 3 1/2" Tall

Discovered in an Early Farm House in Rochester, NH

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH