19th Century Red Earthenware Pitchers Attributed to the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in Western New York

According to the exhibit catalog, Clay in the Hands of the Potter: An Exhibition of Pottery Manufactured in the Rochester and Genesee Valley Region, Circa 1793-1900,  which was published by the Rochester Museum and Science Center in 1974, "Lorenzo Johnson (Western New York potter) operated a lead-glazed earthenware pottery in the extreme southwestern corner of the Town of Newstead as early as 1850. By 1866 he was producing both red earthenware and drain tile. Sometime after 1880, but before 1887, he moved a few miles south to Mill Grove, Erie County where he was active in another pottery operation.

Among the potters who may have worked for Johnson at Newstead was James Banford. Banford resided in Newstead, circa 1854-1859. He had previously operated a red earthenware pottery in the Village of Avon, Livingston County, and prior to that he had been a resident of West Bloomfield.

From extant examples of Johnson's wares and from sherds collected from the pottery site, we can see that in at least some of his production, Johnson was obviously attempting to imitate stoneware in form, glaze color and decoration. His use of a blue slip floral decoration is a trait also shared by a couple of Ontario, Canada earthenware potters. Records do suggest that Johnson may have been a resident of Canada in the late-1840s, which was previous to his employment in western New York as a potter beginning around 1850."

The following red earthenware pitchers are attributed to Lorenzo Johnson's production in Western New York during the circa 1850-1886 period. Although, I suspect they probably date closer to 1850 rather than 1886. The first pitcher is owned by the organization, Artists in Buffalo (New York), while the second pitcher was found a few years ago near Buffalo by Victor, New York antiques dealer, Gene Pratt.

Pitchers Attributed to the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in Western New York

 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher
Attributed to the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in Erie County, NY

Stands Approximately 8" Tall
Circa 1850-1886
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Artists in Buffalo

  19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

Attributed to the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in Erie County, NY
Discovered a Few Years Ago Near Buffalo by Antiques Dealer, Gene Pratt

Stands Approximately 8" Tall

Circa 1850-1886
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

View of the Handle
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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