A Rare 19th Century Red Earthenware Object Attributed to Warren County, Ohio

Earlier this year, Ohio potters, Greg and Mary Shooner presented their research about the red earthenware potters, who were located in Warren County, Ohio in the nineteenth-century. They spoke about this subject at Historic Eastfield Village's annual ceramic conference in Nassau, New York. Surprisingly, I have seen these type of objects mistaken for wares made in Maine and Pennsylvania; although, I have also seen Warren County red earthenware generically attributed to New England, as well.

The improper attributions seem to be a result of some of the Warren County forms appearing like utilitarian products made by other potters. Understandably, there is an overlap that happens with many American styles - and, the Warren County wares are also usually decorated with simple black and brown glazes that could have been applied at any potter's business. The red earthenware from this area was also sporadically glazed on the base.

The Warren County red earthenware that survives today has also been found to have been regularly inscribed with a number on the base. The numbers are said to be generally tied to a client or a merchant, but there are other interpretations, too.

Nonetheless, I was also surprised to learn that a remarkable type of garden ware was also produced in Warren County in the late-nineteenth-century. The Shooners brought a few examples with them that were decorated with incredible slip glazes. They said there are only a few known objects that survive today, which are linked to this type of production.

Coincidentally, I recently saw the following wonderful Warren County red earthenware garden urn in the home of Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer, Greg Kramer. He was using it to hold a house plant - this is also likely how this object was originally intended to be used. Greg said he purchased it somewhere in Pennsylvania or Ohio. But he said that he could not remember exactly where it was purchased; although, he said it was something that he bought many years ago.

Note: Interestingly, the Union Village Shaker community in Warren County, Ohio is the only known Shaker community, which produced pottery as a source of profit in the nineteenth-century. There is known red earthenware and stoneware tied to other Shaker communities today, but that pottery is attributed to local potter's businesses.

According to the Warren County Historical Society, "In 2005 excavations began in the area near the entrance of Armco Park in Lebanon, Ohio. This is where the structures of the North Family Lot of Union Village once stood. Due to the historical significance of the site, an archaeological project was required, and many examples of locally produced pottery were discovered." 

Here is a link to the archaeology report that was submitted to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Warren County, Ohio Garden Urn

19th Century Red Earthenware Garden Urn

Attributed to Warren County, Ohio

Circa 1880

Stands Approximately 15" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Greg Kramer - Robesonian, PA

View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: Greg Kramer - Robesonian, PA

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