A Green-Glazed Object Made at the Mysterious Frey Pottery that Will Sell at Crocker Farm's Upcoming Auction in Sparks, Maryland

Admittedly, I am very-excited to see that Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland devoted a lot in their upcoming auction to the mysterious Frey Pottery of the late-nineteenth, and possibly the early-twentieth-century. This is a subject, which I have written about in the past - personally, I believe this is a forgotten potter's business today. Somehow the identity and business location has become lost as information was handed from one-generation to the next. 

Nonetheless, this is a significant art potter's business, which  I am hopeful will be identified in the near future. More information could lead to this company's products becoming highly-desired, as well. The known glazes are vibrant and the forms are skillfully thrown. It should also be noted that considering the period that these products are associated (late-nineteenth-century) with today - this business could receive such recognition that they are held with the same regard as some of the products manufactured at the Merrimac Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts, the William J. Walley Pottery in West Sterling, Massachusetts - and, the decorative wares made in the Shenadoah Valley in Virginia in the late-nineteenth-century.

According to Crocker Farm, "This American-made late nineteenth century green-glazed redware art pottery pitcher is ovoid in shape, with pronounced throw lines and an applied handle; the exterior surface is covered in a green copper glaze. The underside is impressed 'Frey.' An example of Frey redware is featured in the collection of the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. Pieces bearing this mark have typically been attributed to an early to mid nineteenth century potting family in Berks County, Pennsylvania. However, such pieces are actually art pottery of a later manufacture, made with the Arts and Crafts Movement in mind. More research deserves to be done on what was clearly a skilled pottery with significant output."

Here is a link to the auction listing on Crocker Farm's website - this item is scheduled to sell on Saturday March 19, 2016.

Crocker Farm Pitcher

 Late-19th Century Green-Glazed Red Earthenware Pitcher Made at the Frey Pottery

The History and Whereabouts of this American Business is Currently Forgotten Today

Hopefully New Research Will Present More Information About This Business
Based Stamped 'Frey'

Stands 5 3/8" Tall

Scheduled to Sell on Saturday March 19, 2016

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

 Another View of the Pitcher

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

 View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

View of the 'Frey Stamp

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

American Folk Art Museum Jar

Late-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Decorated with a Vibrant-Colored Cobalt Glaze

 Made at the Frey Pottery

Base is Stamped 'Frey'

Pictured in the Fall 2004 American Folk Art Museum Magazine

Stands 11" Tall

Photo Courtesy: American Folk Art Museum - New York City

Needless to say (search previous articles), I also agree with the significance of the Frey Pottery today - here is a small collection of objects from this forgotten business, which I have discovered in New England in recent years. Most notable in the collection is the large cobalt-decorated jar, which matches the object that is owned by the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. This large jar also retains a history of ownership in the family of York, Maine auctioneer, Hap Moore. Hap's mother reportedly owned it for decades before he sold it in June 2015.

 Small Collection of 19th Century Frey Pottery Objects Collected in New England in Recent Years

The Cobalt-Decorated Jar is a Match to the Jar Owned by the American Folk Art Museum in NYC

Another View of the Objects

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