EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A Signed 19th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Teapot that Recently Appeared in Brimfield, Massachusetts

Thursday, September 22, 2016

A Signed 19th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Teapot that Recently Appeared in Brimfield, Massachusetts

A really interesting black-glazed nineteenth-century red earthenware teapot showed up earlier this month with Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer, Greg Kramer, who setup at two of the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Greg said he bought the teapot locally in Pennsylvania; however, there was a characteristic about this teapot, which may set it apart from other American-made products from the period.

Traditionally, this form would be attributed to Philadelphia today - but, the fact that the base was signed by the potter may suggest otherwise. Thus far, I have been unsuccessful trying to read the signature; although, it also appears like the teapot has been dated below the signature with the number, "28," which likely stands for the year, "1828."

Note: I have included a number of pictures of the teapot below, as well as a traditional formed Philadelphia example, which can be used as a comparison.

A Teapot Comparison

(Left) 19th Century Red Earthenware Teapot Probably Made in Philadelphia
Possibly Made by Thomas Haig (1812-1893) in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Attributes a Similar Form to Thomas Haig

Circa 1840

(Right) 19th Century Red Earthenware Teapot with a Signature and Date on the Base

This Form would Normally be Attributed to Philadelphia Today
But the Signature May Suggest that it was Made Somewhere Else

Circa 1828

Photo Courtesy: Greg Kramer - Robesonia, PA

Signed and Dated Teapot