EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A Very Unusual Red Earthenware Jar that was Discovered Last Week in Brimfield, Massachusetts

Thursday, May 19, 2016

A Very Unusual Red Earthenware Jar that was Discovered Last Week in Brimfield, Massachusetts

I found this lidded red earthenware jar at one of the antique shows last week in Brimfield, Massachusetts. The jar was mixed in with a group of early-to-late nineteenth-century American-made stoneware. The dealer told me that he knew nothing about the jar, but he did say that he recently found it in a house in Granby, Connecticut.

The form of this jar, along with the four decorative handles are certainly different; however, after careful inspection, I feel it was produced by an American potter. There are also traces of slip on the jar, which lead me to believe that there is a chance that this was an object made in Pennsylvania, where there was more slip applied in the nineteenth-century than likely any other state.

The slip also suggests that this jar was manufactured at a potter's business that incorporated slip-decoration into some of its production.

Another characteristic that really stood out to me was the finial or knob on top of the lid that was used to remove-and-place the lid on top of the jar. It is very-similar to another final or knob that sits on top of lidded dish that I found a few years ago in a group shop in southern Maine. The form of the dish, along with its rare handles appear (to me) like it was made in Pennsylvania during the circa 1800-1880 period.

I have not researched this jar (or even the dish) enough to suggest a legitimate attribution; although, I have provided a number of photographs below that should allow the opportunity to compare (and contrast) these two objects.

I feel that the top of the lids suggest that these two objects are related by either potter, potter's business, location or region.

Jar Found in Brimfield, Mass.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Possibly Made in Pennsylvania
Circa 1840-1880
Stands 10" Tall with the Lid
Bought Last Week in Brimfield, Mass.
Said to Have Been Recently Found in a House in Granby, CT

View of the Interior

View of the Base

View of the Lid

Notice the Dab of Slip on the Knob

Another View of the Lid

View of the Base of the Lid

Pot Found in Southern Maine

19th Century Red Earthenware Lidded Dish Probably Made in Pennsylvania
Circa 1800-1880
Stands 6" Tall with the Lid
Lid Measures 9" in Diameter
Found in a Group Shop in Southern Maine