A Rare Form of Red Earthenware Discovered Years Ago by a Picker in Maine

Last weekend, I purchased two pieces of nineteenth-century red earthenware from Barry Freeman, who is a longtime antiques dealer and picker in Maine. He said he has owned both of these objects for many years, and they were both discovered in Maine. He also said that neither was purchased from an antique dealer or at an auction, but they were acquired directly from old homes in Maine.

I have decided to show one of these objects today, and the other will be discussed later this week. Truthfully, this is probably the most fascinating in the group, as well. It is believed to be an early-to-mid nineteenth-century red earthenware master salt with a touch of green glaze on the interior.

From the moment I saw this object - I knew it was an unusual form, but I also knew that I had seen a similar form attributed to Maine before. Tim Gould sold a black-glazed red earthenware master salt on May 1, 2010 in Augusta, Maine, which was attributed to Joseph Philbrick's Pottery in Skowhegan, Maine, circa 1820-1870.

I do not necessarily believe the salt that I acquired was made at the Philbrick Pottery; although, I do believe it was made in Maine. It could have been produced in southern Maine, Portland, Maine, on the mid-coast of Maine or even further north.

It is definitely a rare form, but it also looks like an early form that likely dates from the late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century.

Master Salt Found in Southern Maine

19th Century Red Earthenware Master Salt Likely Made in Maine

Originally Found in an Old Home in Southern Maine

 Circa 1790-1840

Stands 2 3/8" Tall

View of the Green-Glazed Interior

Master Salt Sold by Tim Gould in Maine

(Middle) 19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Master Salt

Attributed to Joseph Philbrick - Skowhegan, ME

Circa 1820-1870

Photo Courtesy: Tim Gould - Smithfield, ME

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