A Rare Black-Glazed 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug that Appears to Have Been Produced in Southern Maine Before 1860

Today, general knowledge seems to imply that black-glazes were not commonly applied on red earthenware objects made in Maine in the nineteenth-century. This belief is the result of only a few known surviving black-glazed objects that are attributed to Maine today. It appears to have been a glaze style that was more-popular in states such as New Hampshire and Massachusetts. However, this statement should not be interpreted to believe that black-glazes were not utilized in Maine in the nineteenth-century - instead, it should be understood that this type of glaze appears to be rare today based on the amount of known surviving Maine-made products that are decorated with a black-glaze.

In-fact, archaeological evidence has revealed that black-glazes were regularly employed for basic decoration at potter's businesses located in places like Buxton, Maine and North Yarmouth, Maine. Nonetheless, it appears that surviving Maine-made products decorated with a simple black-glaze are rare to find today.

A few months ago, I acquired this wonderful hand-thrown black-glazed red earthenware jug from New Hampshire collector, Mark Newton. He purchased it from a longtime New England picker at the Milford, New Hampshire Antiques Show in 2015; however, there is nothing about this jug that suggests (to me) that it was made in New Hampshire or even Massachusetts. The ovoid form, the spout, the lip, the rim, the handle and the separation in the black-glaze all suggest a southern Maine potter (to me).

It is also important to note that the large flat-footed base is a characteristic often seen with red earthenware produced in southern Maine during the 1820-1860 period. Personally, I believe there are many characteristics besides only the base that likely attributes this rare jug to one of the potter's businesses, which were employed to the west of Portland, Maine before 1860.

19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Likely Made in Southern Maine
Recently Acquired in New Hampshire
Black-Glazes are Rare to Find Today from Southern Maine Potters
Circa 1820-1860
Stands 7 1/2" Tall

View of the Handle

View of the Large Flat-Footed Base

A Closer Look at the Large Flat-Footed Base

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