A Comparison of Incised Birds Drawn on Stoneware Objects Produced in Charlestown, Mass. and Merrimacport, Mass.

Wintethur in Wilmington, Delaware owns an incredibly rare example of eighteenth-century stoneware attributed to Jonathan Fenton in Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 1793-1796. The jug is decorated with an incised bird perched on a branch. This is a very-rare decoration to find on any stoneware produced in coastal Massachusetts today. The few known examples date from the 1790's, and possibly the early-nineteenth-century.

When I initially saw this jug - I  thought it would be an interesting comparison to compare Fenton's incised bird to a similar incised bird that William Pecker is known to have drawn on stoneware produced in Merrimacport, Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century.

Pecker's bird was first noticed on a crock published in an article written for the 2004 edition of Ceramics in America, and, again in the August 2015 edition of the New England Antiques Journal. Previously, Pecker was not regarded as a stoneware potter; instead, he was viewed as a successful red earthenware potter. However, he obviously produced stoneware at some point during his career. Further evidence is the amount of kiln furniture that I have recovered in Merrimacport in the past few years, which suggests Pecker produced more stoneware than only the few signed examples that exist today bearing Pecker's mark (Wm. Pecker).

Below I have shown the Fenton stoneware jug and the Pecker stoneware crock - I think this is an interesting comparison. It is also important to consider that Fenton ended up in New Hampshire in 1797; however, he likely traveled from Charlestown to New Hampshire, and he would have probably passed through Merrimacport.

Note: I have also shown below stoneware sherds that I have recovered in Merrimacport decorated with Pecker's bird decoration. They are very-similar to the Ceramics in America bird; although, these sherds are colored with cobalt decoration, which matches the style of Fenton's jug owned by Winterthur.

I have also shown below a collection of stoneware kiln furniture that I recovered in Merrimacport today, which was laying on the shore of the Merrimac River. I believe Pecker deposited kiln waste into the river, and that's why I keep recovering artifacts in a certain private area.

Jonathan Fenton Stoneware Jug

18th Century 1-Gallon Stoneware Jug Decorated with an Incised Bird Colored with Cobalt

Stamped 'BOSTON'

Attributed to Jonathan Fenton - Charlestown, Mass.

Circa 1793-1796

Stands 11 5/8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Winterthur - Wilmington, DE

William Pecker Stoneware Crock

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century 2-Gallon Stoneware Crock Decorated with an Incised Bird

Stamped 'Wm Pecker'

Made in Merrimacport, Mass.

Published in 2004 Edition of Ceramics in America

Published in August 2015 Edition of the New England Antiques Journal

Originally Found at a Kentucky Flea Market

Photo Courtesy: Bill Chapman

William Pecker Stoneware Sherds

Stoneware Sherd Decorated with a Bird Recovered in Merrimacport, Mass.

 Stoneware Sherd Decorated with a Bird Recovered in Merrimacport, Mass.

Same Sherd - Another View of the Sherd

Stoneware Sherd Decorated with a Bird's Tail Recovered in Merrimacport, Mass.

This morning, I took a bike ride from my house in Newburyport, Massachusetts to Merrimacport, Massachusetts, and I discovered a collection of stoneware kiln furniture at low tide along the Merrimac River. I also discovered a very-intereting stoneware sherd from a form that I don't believe has been associated with Pecker, yet. I believe it is the remains of a small stoneware jar, decorated with a small rim and some incised line decoration.

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Stoneware Kiln Furniture Recovered in Merrimacport, Mass. Today 

Associated with William Pecker's Stoneware Production

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Stoneware Sherd Recovered in Merrimacport, Mass. Today 

Associated with William Pecker's Stoneware Production

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