A Rare 19th Century Red Earthenware Turtle That Was Recently Found Near Western New York

In my most recent article, I briefly wrote about a group of objects that my nephew, Jason and myself discovered while vacationing last week in upstate New York. Arguably, my favorite discovery was a hand-thrown and hand-modeled red earthenware turtle. The form of the turtle suggests (to me) that the potter intended this figure to appear like a snapping turtle.

We found the turtle in the 'Ontario Mall Antiques,' - I would describe this mall as "one of the country's largest antique shops." The store is located in Farmington, New York, which is about one-hundred miles east of the Ontario border in Niagara Falls.

The shop reportedly houses at least one-thousand dealers from the northeast, Pennsylvania and the Midwest, but I would not be surprised, either to learn if there are dealers from Canada, as well.

The dealer described this turtle as a paper weight; although, I also suggested that it could have been a lid. However, after carefully examining this object, I am now very-doubtful that it was every used as a lid. I feel it is too heavy to have been used as a lid. Instead, I think it is probably a whimsical-type object that could have been used as a paper weight, a toy, etc.

Nevertheless, I would like to thank Ontario collector, Paul Slater for the following information - he pointed out soon after we made this discovery that a similar style was used on two documented nineteenth-century lidded red earthenware bowls that are owned by the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.

Both of the museum's objects are attributed to Ontario. They also include hand-thrown and hand-modeled lids - one of the lids is decorated with a dog and the other lid is decorated with a lion.

It is also interesting to note that the turtle, and both of the lids were made with concaved bases. The glaze-colors used for the turtle and the dog are also similar, where a clear lead glaze was used with some green highlights that are also found on each object.

Recently Discovered Rare Red Earthenware Turtle

 19th Century Hand-Thrown and Hand-Modeled Red Earthenware Rooster

Possibly Made in Pennsylvania, Western New York or Ontario

Similar Objects Were Made in Ontario

Circa 1820-1880

Stands 2 1/2" Tall

Measures 5" Across

Recently Found Near Western New York

  Another View of the Turtle

  Another View of the Turtle

View of the Base

Dog Bowl Owned by the Canadian Museum of History
According to the Canadian Museum of History, "Red earthenware bowls are highly prized by collectors possibly because very few of them have survived. This example, with the dog resting on the lid, is remarkable because animal figures incorporated into Canadian red earthenware are very rare."

 19th Century Red Earthenware Sugar Bowl Likely Made in Southwestern Ontario

 Circa Mid-to-Late 1800's

Stands 5 3/8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Canadian Museum of History - Gatineau, Quebec

 View of the Dog Finial on Top of the Sugar Bowl

Photo Courtesy: Canadian Museum of History - Gatineau, Quebec

Lion Bowl Owned by the Canadian Museum of History
According to the Canadian Museum of History, "This sugar bowl is distinguished by its well-developed form, particularly by the seated lion on the lid. The figure is finely crafted and has a great deal of folk appeal, with its curly mane and extended tail. This piece was found a few miles east of Toronto, and could possibly be the work of one of the potters who were active in the area."

  19th Century Red Earthenware Sugar Bowl Likely Made in Ontario

 Circa Mid-to-Late 1800's

Stands 7 1/4" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Canadian Museum of History - Gatineau, Quebec

View of the Lion Finial on Top of the Sugar Bowl

Photo Courtesy: Canadian Museum of History - Gatineau, Quebec

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