Museums, such as Historic New England and the Metropolitan Museum Art in New York City have taken a special interest with certain products made at this company; however, it is not really a style that is well-known today by collectors or antique dealers. Honestly, I have never seen a product from the New England Pottery Company sold at an auction or at an antique show before. Every piece that I own has been hand-picked in New England, and the objects have usually been sold without any type of attribution or description.
The New England Pottery Company was largely discussed in 1893, when Edwin Atlee Barber's (1851-1916) book, 'The Pottery and Porcelain of the United States,' was published, which is remarkable considering these type of products were essentially brand new in 1893.
According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' "In 1876 Thomas Gray and Lyman W. Clark, son of Decius W. Clark of Bennington, Vermont bought the East Boston Crockery Manufactory (formerly Boston Earthenware Manufactory Company) and changed the name to the New England Pottery Company.
Clark had much useful experience in preparing clays and glazes while at Bennington, then for a short time at Kaolin, South Carolina, and later at Peoria, Illinois. The first wares made under his direction at East Boston were of a utilitarian nature. From the company's advertisements we learn that white granite and common crockery, table and toilet ware were the sole output.
In 1881 they were also producing 'stone porcelain' ware. The same announcement appeared year after year until 1893, when chocolate pots, jugs, cuspidors, vases, etc. are mentioned. Some Parian ware of Bennington type was also made at East Boston.
We are indebted to Edwin Atlee Barber, who knew Lyman W. Clark personally, for a description of a the New England Pottery Company wares and marks. He shows that the products were more ornate than the advertisements indicate.
From 1886 to 1895, Thomas H. Copeland, of the famous English potting family, modeled most of the pieces. J.W. Phillips originated many of the deigns used in the printing process (although some were also hand-decorated). Doulton and Royal Worcester wares were the sources of inspiration."
I have never really written about these products on this website; although, I have accumulated a decent sized collection. My interest remains with the formal wares, which were produced in East Boston, circa 1886-1889. Although, my favorite products were under the Rieti line that was only produced from 1888-1889.
Roughly, one-month ago, I discovered a wonderful example of Rieti ware in a shop in southern Maine, which I have since added to my collection. Due to the name 'Rieti', these products are often mistaken for ceramics made in Italy today - and, the object that I found in southern Main was, indeed, said to be a twentieth-century Italian pitcher.
19th Century Earthenware Pitcher Made at the New England Pottery Company - E. Boston, Mass.
Recently Found in Southern Maine
Circa 1890
Stands 9 1/4" Tall
Another View of the Pitcher
I have never shown the collection of objects that I own from this business before, but I figured that I would today to demonstrate how a collection of New England Pottery Company products from the 1880's can appear when a group of objects are assembled together.
Collection of New England Pottery Company Products - East Boston, Mass.
Circa 1886-1890
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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