A Comparison of Rare 19th Century Red Earthenware Jugs with Possible Ties to the Southern Maine Potter's Industry

I have always wondered about the following nineteenth-century red earthenware jug (seen to the left in the photos below) that I purchased a few years ago - it originally appeared in 2013 in a prominent antique dealer's both at Antiques Week in New Hampshire. However, it did not sell, and I later purchased it from that dealer.

The jug was said to have been a Maine-made product; although, the form was questionable in respect to what is known about the eighteenth and nineteenth-century Maine potter's industry today.

Truthfully, I have also considered other northern New England potters, and even the possibility that this jug may have been made in upstate New York, as well, but I have never found any evidence that suggests it could be related to any of these areas. Nonetheless, this jug continues to appear (to me) like a rare Maine-made product from the circa 1820-1860 period.

It was also around a month ago, that I wrote about a wonderful red earthenware jug that I luckily acquired from Cape Cod antique dealers, Hilary and Paulette Nolan. That jug is believed to have been made in either Buxton, Maine or Hollis, Maine, also during the circa 1820-1860 period.

Yesterday, I compared the jug that I purchased from the Nolan's to the jug that I just described, and their unusual glazes are basically a match. I do not normally attribute on glaze-alone, but this case may be an exception to the rule. The color of the clay on each jug is also a match. There are obvious differences in the handles, but there are also similarities, too.

Visually, there are facts that suggest the red earthenware jug shown to the left could be a new form that has never been associated with the potter's industry in southern Maine before. I also feel that these jugs could be tied to the same potter's business, such as the Bickford Pottery in Buxton, Maine, which operated circa 1825-1890.

The variation in form could be the result of these jugs having been manufactured during two separate periods in Buxton - although, these jugs could also represent two different potters, who were employed at the Bickford Pottery.

There were also two close-knit potter's businesses (John Alld Pottery and Thomas Truxton Kendrick Pottery) located near Buxton in Hollis, Maine - it is possible that these jugs could have been made there, as well before 1860. There is not much information known about the total output at either of these businesses; although, there is some information known, but there is still plenty more to be learned today.

Known Buxton, Maine Potters

James Bickford – 1798-1884

Wentworth Bickford - 1817-1890

Clarence S. Bradbury - Active Circa 1879

Known Hollis, Maine Potters

John Alld – 1811-1865

Thomas Truxton Kendrick – 1827-1877

(Left) 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Probably Made in Southern Maine

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 9" Tall

(Right) 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made in Southern Maine

Probably Made in Either Buxton, ME or Hollis, ME

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 6 1/2" Tall

Another View of the Jugs, and Their Glazes
The Glazes Appear to be Related

Another View of the Jugs, and Their Glazes
The Glazes Appear to be Related

 View of the Handles

There are Differences, But There are Similarities, Too

View of the Bases

The Clay Matches

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