A Very-Rare and Important 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Southern Maine

Last week, I visited Historic New England's storage facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts to study a piece of stoneware that Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares) discovered in the 1930's. She made the discovery in the basement of an eighteenth-century house in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Hopefully, a group of us will be able to present more information about this object on a later date.

Nonetheless, while I was there, I could not resist the opportunity to study the rest of Historic New England's collection. I was surprised when I saw the following object - I honestly had no idea that they owned this object. I did not even know it existed.

I have previously visited Historic New England's collection facility, but I obviously did not see this pitcher.

It is my opinion that this is a rare nineteenth-century red earthenware pitcher made in southern Maine during the circa 1820-1860 period. I have never seen another object like this before. The attribution is based on the overall form, the handle and the glaze. It is also very-possible that this pitcher was made at the John Alld Pottery in Hollis, Maine.

Alld can be considered an elusive, but desired potter today. There is not a lot of his production that is known to have survived; although, his work is desired by prominent collectors and museums today.

Personally, I believe that more of Alld's work has survived; however, it is difficult to tie such objects to Alld because his identity lacks any archaeological evidence. Although, this pitcher does share similarities to known Alld jugs that exist in private collections and various prestigious national museums today.

 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Likely Made in Southern Maine

Possibly Made at the John Alld Pottery in Hollis, ME

Circa 1820-1860

Stands Approximately 8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Historic New England - Haverhill, Mass.

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Historic New England - Haverhill, Mass.

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