EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A 19th Century Red Earthenware Flower Pot Recently Discovered inClinton, Maine

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Flower Pot Recently Discovered inClinton, Maine

There does not appear to be a lot known about the Philbrick Pottery today, which was a utilitarian red earthenware potter's business that was established as-early-as 1808, along the Kennebec River in Skowhegan, Maine. The business was established by Samuel Philbrick (1783-1855), and later run by his son, Joseph Philbrick (1797-1874). The location of the pottery did change from where it was originally settled around 1808; however, the business always remained in Skowhegan until it closed, circa 1870.

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' "The Philbricks got their clay from the river bank and made the usual variety of household utensils. The pottery also produced fancy jars ornamented with raised figures made in molds. These were presumably the work of Joseph Philbrick, who disposed of his red earthenware, driving about the country (countryside) and trading it at farmhouses and general stores for farm produce and other goods."

The Skowhegan History House, Museum and Research Center in Skowhegan is probably the best source today to view and study actual surviving products from the Philbrick Pottery - the museum owns a group of red earthenware that is strongly tied to Skowhegan; although, the majority of the products appear to be from the post-1820 period. Personally, I cannot say whether there are any surviving objects that date from the circa 1808-1820 period.

It also does not appear that the Philbricks often applied vibrant-colored glazes to their regular red earthenware output - that characterization is based on today's known surviving examples, which are glazed in more transparent colors, such as browns, tans and reds. However, a wider array of glaze-colors should not be ruled out, either since there is no known archaeological evidence today.

Note: The Maine State Museum also owns a small collection of red earthenware from the Philbrick Pottery in its storage facility in Augusta, Maine. I also want to mention that some of the red earthenware lids made at this pottery are entirely glazed (see below); however, that does not include all lids as there are examples that are not glazed on the base, as well.

Skowhegan History House