The Origin of Three 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitchers Owned by a Private Collector and a Pair of Museums Today

A few months ago, I saw a really interesting nineteenth-century red earthenware pitcher that was said to have been discovered in New Hampshire years ago. However, I could not pinpoint where it was made. The dealer thought it was a New England-made product, but the handle and glaze did not seem familiar (to me). Although, I did suggest that it may have been made in New Hampshire since it did not look like a product that was made in Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island or Connecticut.

This pitcher has now changed ownership a few times - it currently resides in a private New England collection. The current owner thought it may have been a Maine-made product; however, I told him that I did not think it was made in Maine. For what it is worth: nothing about this object says "Maine-made" to me.

Nonetheless, I am intrigued by this pitcher since I would like to know where it was made - I feel there is an argument for a New Hampshire potter; however, a similar object owned by Winterthur in Wilmington, Delaware suggests an attribution outside of New England.

Note: The lighting used for this pitcher was not as bright as the other photographs shown in this article. This pitcher's glaze is comparable to the rest of the glazed pitchers that are discussed.

19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Possibly Made in New England

Reportedly Found in New Hampshire

Circa 1820-1860

Stands Approximately 7" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

Another View of the Pitcher

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

Shown below are two objects that were manufactured in a comparable form, and decorated in a similar polychrome glaze. The form is not exact, but the combination of the unusual glaze and the form lead me to believe that all of these pitchers may be related by the state or region that they were manufactured.

The first pitcher is owned by Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and the second pitcher is owned by Winterthur in Delaware.

Unfortunately, the pitcher owned by Old Sturbride Village was not attributed by the museum; although, it was probably found in New England before it was later acquired by the museum. It seems that every product, which I have handled at Old Sturbridge Village is tied to New England from where the object was discovered.

The second pitcher, which is owned by Winterthur is attributed by the museum to the Mid-Atlantic region, circa 1800-1830. No more information is given; although, it should be noted that a similar combination of glaze-colors were applied in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia in the nineteenth-century, but I do not believe this pitcher is related to that region, either. 

For now, the locations that each of these products were made in the 1800's remains a mystery (to me). Hopefully, I can provide more information about these objects in the near future. They are all skillfully-made decorated with colorful-glazes.

Old Sturbridge Village Pitcher

19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Possibly Made in New England

Likely Found in New England

Stands Approximately 7" Tal

Circa 1820-1860

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Mass.

Winterthur Pitcher

19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to the Mid-Atlantic Region

Reportedly Circa 1800-1830

Stands 8 3/8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Winterthur - Wilmington, DE

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